Recognizing the importance of education to improving the economic well-being of Michigan, on April 20, 2006, Governor Jennifer Granholm signed into law the Michigan Merit Curriculum. This new set of statewide graduation requirements is viewed as a step toward making high schools more rigorous academically and better preparing students for post-secondary education and an increasingly competitive global economy. Among the requirements is the inclusion of an online course or online experience in each student's middle school or high school coursework, making Michigan the first state in the nation to require an online course or online experience for high school graduation.
If this is a requirement for students then it is imperative that teachers and, more importantly, administrators participate in online courses so they are, at the least, conversant with the concept of online learning, the pedagogy and its value to their students both in post-secondary education and in the work world.
Does an administrator's participation in online courses influence her/his attitudes towards online learning? An evaluation completed by administrators in four online courses offered through the LEADing the Future program in Michigan (part of a statewide initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) showed 100% of respondents indicating that participating in online courses positively influenced their attitudes towards online learning. Some indicated that their experiences with these courses had actually changed their attitudes in favor of online learning and dispelled preconceived ideas about the difficulty and technical requirements involved. Most respondents indicated a high level of interest in continuing online learning for professional development purposes. They also expressed interest in learning more about how to implement online courses in their schools and districts.
More and more administrators recognize the value of online learning because many of them are already pursuing their professional learning via online courses. A recent survey of over 300 Michigan administrators was conducted by the MI-LIFE leadership team (Michigan Leadership Improvement Framework Endorsement funded by a grant to the Michigan Department of Education from Microsoft Partners in Learning) to determine their interest in taking online courses as part of the leadership curriculum that is being developed for the MI-LIFE program. The results were very encouraging. While only 42% of those responding have taken an online course, 82% of those who have not taken one are interested/willing to do so.
This data prompted us to include two instructor-led online courses in the MI-LIFE curriculum, not only for the modeling benefits, but for the convenience of the participating administrators.
A November 2006 report written by the National American Council for Online Learning (NACOL) and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills builds the case for online learning as excellent preparation for any career choice: "Today's graduates must be adept with the tools of collaboration and communication that are the reality of a global, web-driven workplace. Online learning affords unprecedented opportunities for students to complete their work using applications that are common to today's workers.."
If experiencing online learning is what we believe is good for students then it only makes sense that it is equally, if not more, important and good for administrators.
Absolutely excellent.
Posted by: Jan Borelli | March 04, 2007 at 08:24 PM
It is heartening to see an example of Professional Development for administrators in this area. The more we experience new learning with technology, the more competent we will be to lead it in our schools and districts. Thanks for the post.
Posted by: Steve Poling | March 04, 2007 at 09:02 PM
I am pleased to see the data showing our fellow administrators have positive attitudes toward online learning once they have participated in a course. I hope that we can equally educate decision makers about the tremendous amount of work it takes to develop this coursework. Quality curriculum takes time and resources and online curriculum, in my opinion, requires additional (upfront) time and resources (not to mention testing.) Many people expect us to magically produce these courses. It certainly takes more than magic!
Posted by: Matt Hillmann | March 04, 2007 at 09:27 PM
Marion, You've hit the nail on the head. If you to were pull out your hammer and take another swing, I'd suggest it would be on why we need to support online learning among leaders and teachers-- from the students' perspective.
Technology has become the lingua franca among high school students. As a parent of 2 high school students, I see this every day-- students are texting each other, using wikis, going to mySpace, uTube and blogs online to communicate, collaborate and interact with peers and friends. If we turn a blind eye to this, we risk further widening the communication gap that already exists with kids. We need teachers and educational leaders who are not overwhelmed, fearful or oblivious about technology. We need educators that understand how to mix it up, and adapt the learning environment for kids based on the way kids learn and communicate today.
Using these technologies and embracing online learning in all its dimensions, helps us connect with kids -- not just on the curriculum, or the content-- but on terms that assist them in their own personal, intellectual and social development.
Ron J. Stefanski
Thomson Gale
Posted by: RJ Stefanski | March 05, 2007 at 01:01 PM
Marion, you've again shown why Michigan is considered a leading state in the integration of technology throughout the fabric of K-12 education. The world of blogging is such a new and emerging arena and I know first hand the 'hesitation' that many superintendents have about putting their words in writing (fears of FOIA and other potential discomforts notwithstanding). It seems to be such an open environment with the potential for millions to see and read; the reality is that until/unless more of us engage in the discourse and read the writings of others, there is nothing to fear but fear itself!
I've alwasy believed that the best way to learn something well is to engage in it fully; participation in blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other online discourse must continue to be emphasized among our peers. Online learning is here to stay!
Posted by: Nancy Davis | March 05, 2007 at 07:31 PM