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Brian DavidsonJerome Beauchamp
Mike Franklin
April 8, 2014
SD27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)
Blended Learning in a Rural District
Overview
Context-Before the Program (< 2009)
Program Today
Challenges We Face
Program Tomorrow
Learning from you….
Context – Before the Program Several, small, dispersed and unconnected schools,
each with one or two senior divisions (typically, 8/9, 9/10 or 8-10)
One teacher, usually first or second year with one area of expertise
Students moving into town (early, if possible) Boarding situations not always ideal – students poorly
performing, partying, skipping, dropping out
Context – Before the Program Course completions – discouraging numbers Graduation rates – discouraging, especially for our
Aboriginal learners Teaching staff retention – difficult-many teachers taught
one year and then left
Anahim Lake, Tatla Lake, Alexis Creek (Hwy 20) – 320km
Naghtaneqed (Nemiah Valley) Dog Creek, Rosie Seymour (Band) Horsefly (east of WL) Canim Lake (Band; not this year) Teachers in rural schools (Anahim Lake,
Naghtaneqed, Horsefly) and town (Distance Ed, High Schools)
Semestered, focused on English/Math; Social Studies/Science
Program Today
Online teachers responsible for 4 x 60 minute online classes Use Blackboard Collaborate (for classes) and Moodle (for
course content Moodle courses built from scratch for the most part
(asynchronous courses from BCLN don’t work as well as hoped)
Classroom teachers (and TA’s) responsible for supporting students, helping with tech, organization/deadlines
Played with Tutorial times and course tutors – not utilized
Program Today
Social development and f2f opportunities provided by 5 field trips annually; each hosted by a different location
Field trips include a focus plus 2 – 45 minute f2f lessons with online teachers; focus could be anything – sports, fine arts, culture, science, Respect (Orange Shirt Day)
Program Today
Students learn (and live) in their own communities with their families
Students get the flavor of what High School will be like in a supportive environment (pace, work load, expectations, working with different teachers, semesters)
Students get to work with subject specialists Students get to work with students at their grade level Students get to meet and work with students from other
schools
Benefits of the Program
Transition to HS is eased (students know some of the other students and teachers they’ve already worked with)
Students develop/use IT skills surpassing those of ‘bricks & mortar’ students
Staff retention boosted – job is not as overwhelming as it was before; # of preps is manageable
Some students still transient, but often return after trying out town because they know what the program is like
Benefits of the Program
Communication is a key and crucial component of our success Student focused – reporting (Engrade); archiving Blackboard
sessions; messaging; during lessons; Moodle; Teacher focused – between classroom and online teachers
(emails/phone calls); meetings (f2f and Blackboard); messaging; capacity building/support; August Institute
Community focused – reporting; SLC; newsletters (8 per year featuring student recognition, work samples, teacher bios, info, tips, etc); field trips (a bit of competition )
Communication
Declining Enrollment Staffing Engagement/Pedagogy
Challenges We Face
Declining EnrollmentContinue to see our secondary classes merged with elementary
(add grades 6/7 to the Senior class)Add grade 6 and/or 7 courses to the programFewer Rural teachers able to teach courses
StaffingAdd online classes to postings for HS teachers (preferably in
permanent positions, so they wouldn’t have to be posted every year/semester)
EngagementContinue to research topics with potential usefulness (FN
education, differentiation, inquiry, PBL, engagement, etc)
Program Tomorrow
Do you have any suggestions or ideas we should investigate that may help us as we move forward? Ideas for collaboration?
Questions & Discussion & Your Suggestions
Brian Davidson, Coordinator, Rural Secondary Program – 250.398.5800 ([email protected])
Jerome Beauchamp, Director of Instruction – Education Services – 250.398.3800 ([email protected])
Mike Franklin, Principal GROW/Skyline – 250.398.5800 ([email protected])
Contact Information
