STAV/AIP VCE Physics Teachers’ Conference
2013
Delivering VCE Physics
100% Online &
Interactive
Bruce Carpenter
Victorian Virtual Learning Network
(Physics)
Bendigo Senior Secondary College
Virtual Learning Network
Website http://vln.bssc.edu.au
Demonstration course
username: physicsconference
password: vvlnguest
Our Brief
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Proof of concept project for DEECD
“can you teach VCE subjects entirely online”
Alleviate difficulties of remote schools
Explore online teaching & learning strategies
Utilise internet, multimedia, Web 2.0
Use a ‘Blended Learning’ Model
Blended Learning Model
“combining online delivery of
educational content with the best
features of classroom interaction and live
instruction to personalise learning, allow
thoughtful reflection and differentiate
instruction from student to student
across a diverse range of learners”
Why?
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Shortage of Physics Teachers
Small classes
Aligns with student expectations
Short trials with schools in the Bendigo
district.
• Trialled with BSSC Unit 3&4 Physics
Classes 2009-2011
2012
Provided remote Physics to:
• Charlton Secondary College
• Baimbridge College (Hamilton)
• Swan Hill Secondary College
• Murrayville Community College
• Individual students at Bendigo Senior
Secondary College
2013
Providing unit 1-2 Physics to:
• Swifts Creek School
• Cohuna Secondary College
• Camperdown College
• Maryborough Education Centre
• Rushworth P-12 College
• Murrayville Community College
• Werrimull P-12 School
• Bendigo Senior Secondary College
2013
Providing Unit 3-4 Physics to :
• Wycheproof P-12 college
• Baimbridge College (Hamilton)
• McClelland College Frankston
• Murrayville Community College
• Maryborough Education Centre
• Werrimull P-12 School
• Swifts Creek
• Bendigo Senior Secondary College
Online Course Features
• Anytime, anywhere, 24/7 availability
• Software independent (no special installations
apart from Java and Stellarium)
• Must be instructional
• Provide similar experience to classrooms
• Adobe Connect sessions
• Individual help via Skype
Funding
• Four Years @ 0.6 to
develop Units 1 to 4
• Partly DEECD
• Partly Multimedia
Victoria Grant
Funding 2013 and beyond
• NBN – Enabled Education & skills
Services Program (NBN-ESS) Federal
Government
• Broadband Enabled Innovation
Program (BEIP) State Government
There is a lot of material already
available, however...
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Not comprehensive for our course
Not always instructional
Curriculum focus is unsuitable
Static documents / text based
- The ‘Electronic Filing Cabinet’
Research
• Internet searches
• Looking for courses not just activities
• Extensive travel interstate and overseas
Visits to distance/online education
providers in
• Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania
• ULearn Conference Nov 2010,
Christchurch New Zealand
• Virtual Schools Symposium, Phoenix,
Arizona ( Nov 2010)
• Idaho Digital Learning Academy, Boise
Idaho
• Riverside Virtual School, Los Angeles
Vendors
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Not useful
Many resources out there
Very few written for VCE curriculum
Bound up in yearly pay per
student/school software fees
Typical US Online
Course
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Assembled from a range of resources
Includes Vendor provided learning objects
Mainly text based
Works in the US (different school culture)
Not so sure about applying this to
Australian physics students
The VVLN Online Physics
Course
Learning Management System (LMS)
• MOODL
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• It’s Free!
Moodle Features
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Progress bar
Submission Tasks
Online Tests
Forum
Tracking student progress
New Forums, Help forums
Extra Features
• Skype using document camera
• Adobe Connect meetings
http://vln.bssc.edu.au
Instructional Videos
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Teacher narration
Explanation of theory
Worked examples
Branching options
Instructional Videos
• An engaging introduction
• Strategically placed animations, tables,
graphs, fly-in text comments, diagrams,
video clips.
Instructional Videos
• A ‘screencasting’ approach
• Rare
• Involve all usual features of a good
lesson
• Multi-sensory (see, hear, do)
• Virtual Pointing
• “rough and unpolished”
• Authentic or “real”
• Easily edited and improved
DEMONSTRATIO
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Instructional Video features
Semi notes
Virtual Prac Activity
Quizlet
DEMONSTRATIO
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• Semi notes
DEMONSTRATIO
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• Instructional Video
• Unit 2 Physics – Energy Transformations
DEMONSTRATIO
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• Virtual Prac Activity
• Virtual Prac Instructions
• PhET Simulation – Energy Skate Park
DEMONSTRATIO
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• Quizlet
Remote Online Lessons
• Answers to set questions supplied
• Submission Tasks
• Individual SKYPE sessions
Findings from trials at BSSC
• Fast students go faster
• They attempt extension questions
• Slower students can rewind and catch
up
• Illness, sport, camps not such a problem
• Can integrate prac work continuously
• VCE results at least as good as
traditional class.
Advantages over traditional class
• Can help to train student teachers
• Benefits of years of teaching experience
How do we Make the Resources?
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Notebook (Smartboard) Software
Adobe Captivate 6 Software
Screen capture with eLearning tools
Storyboard in Notebook or PowerPoint
Narrate each slide
Embellish with emphasis
Slides created using Notebook Software
Slides are imported into Adobe Captivate
Each slide is narrated
How do students
Like it?
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Many student flip - flop
Better student engagement
Clear improvement over previous years
Other teachers notice the improvement
No student training needed
No student resistance
Teacher Impact
• Teacher’s role changes fundamentally
• ‘Sage on the Stage’ to ‘Guide on the
Side’
• Class time available for directly
addressing student concerns.
• You will know your students better
Response
• Overwhelmingly positive so far
• We recognise it is not for
everyone
• It has worked for us
• Low dropout rate
• Results as good as expected if
not
better
The Future
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Delivery to more remote schools
National Physics Curriculum
Revision Lectures
Adjustments due to no June Exam (2013)
More VCE subjects to be developed
Publish to a range of mobile devices
Galaxy Tab 10.1 (will play our Flash
videos)
• iPad App ?
Other VLN online Courses
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Maths Methods Units 1-2
Psychology Units 1&2
Specialist Maths 3&4
Chemistry 1&2 (under construction)
Legal Studies 1-4 (under construction)
Health 1-4 (under construction)
General Maths (under construction)
Questions?
Bruce Carpenter
Virtual Learning Network – Physics
Bendigo Senior Secondary College
carpenter.bruce@bssc.edu.au
Website http://vln.bssc.edu.au
Demonstration course
username: physicsconference
password: vvlnguest