Getting Our Graduates into Classrooms
Using Bb and Softchalk to Design Asynchronous Online Educator Certification Test Preparation Modules
What does it look like when teams of faculty from different disciplines work collaboratively with educational technologists to create online modules designed to support student learning and prepare students for certification exams?
Teacher candidates have always needed to pass several exams to receive New York State teacher certification. However, rigorous new requirements, changes in the focus and content of the exams and computer-based testing have raised the bar for students and teacher education programs. Additionally, there has been an avalanche of new accountability requirements and demands for improved student outcomes.
In response, there has been great variability in how programs prepare students for the new Educating All Students (EAS) exam, which tests five (5) competency areas. Some programs created new courses on specific EAS topics and other programs weave topic themes across all courses. In still other programs some of the topics get little to no attention.
However, to best prepare all teacher candidates at the Lehman College School of Education, administrators, faculty and staff worked together to develop online educator certification test preparation modules. Using BlackBoard to deliver content and Softchalk to enable innovative design features, technology afforded us a way to consolidate expertise and resources and make this online study material accessible to over 850 Lehman College students during Fall, 2014. The content is designed so that it can be embedded in coursework as well as accessed by students for independent study. We have shared these modules on a CUNY-wide Blackboard site so that all CUNY students can use them.
These online modules demonstrate the potential of large-scale implementation (CUNY wide Bb organization) and collaboration, but they are still works in progress. As data-driven decision makers, we will be updating both content and design, based on what we learn from student focus groups and faculty discussions. For the purpose of this HETS presentation, we will invite a student to share her use of the modules for “just in time” independent study for the exam.
Since online modules are available for independent study (with visual supports and self-checking questions and answers), students can determine for themselves how best to master the performance indicators identified for the EAS. As a Hispanic Serving Institution that attracts a diverse population, we are committed to meeting the needs of individuals who may have acquired English as a second language. Self-paced, online pedagogy, with careful attention paid to language demands, is one way to differentiate instruction. Creating robust test preparation modules with appropriate levels of support and challenge has been both invigorating and daunting for our design team.
Technologies
BlackBoard
– Organization for enrollment of all School of Education students; available for all CUNY students
– Organization (and test prep modules) available to all faculty
Softchalk
– self-checking questions/answers
– text “poppers” and “hot spots” that highlight key content and offer differentiation
– timeline
– drag/drop sequencing
– more
Explain project results
Promote the effective development and implementation of assessment efforts in Distance Learning
Why it should be considered best practice?
Design:
Modules meet many of the key standards of a Quality Matters Rubric (including, Module Overview, Learning Objectives, Resources and Materials, Learner Engagement, Course Technology, and Accessibility).
Data-Driven Decisions:
These modules are a test of large-scale implementation and collaboration, but they are still works in progress. We will be updating both content and design, based on what we learn from student focus groups and faculty discussions.
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