Small Town Virtual - an attempt at least

For this MOOC posting, I chose to respond to:
Decide on the relevance to your institution’s/sector’s future success.

Note:
I was a little confused about exactly what was needed for this, so I may be a little off topic, but I am choosing to interpret this as, "How relevant are the 'Critical Success Factors' to my institution (school where I work)?"

I work for a small elementary school in North West Georgia. Most of our student population are on free and reduced lunch, making us Title I. There have been significant job loses in our area and we have had an increase in the number of students who are eligible for this program in the last two years.

From what little I know, our county does offer online options for our high school students. Most, if not all, of these classes are geared toward "credit recovery." Nothing has been offered as a middle or an elementary option as far as online learning is considered. However, at my elementary school, we are committed to doing the best we can to help our students gain technological skills. At present we have two classes using Edmodo to allow students to collaborate online. We have also found Edmodo to be a great resource for students to continue learning after they leave the school building.

I will say that this is not a formal "online class." We are creating the curriculum as we go. It is a work in progress. However, we have found it to be a very useful tool that has educational potential. To rate what we have been doing with the "Critical Success Factors," I would say for:


Usability - The system is usable. Before we began we polled our students to see how many had internet access at home. We were surprised, as this is a highly impoverished school, to find on average about 75 to 80 percent of students had access to the internet. From there we bravely went forward, with the thought in mind that the other 25% would have "first dibbs" access at school each morning. In addition, the two classrooms that were each had access to laptop carts so there was a 1 computer to 2 student ratio on a daily basis. Usability scores a 5

e-Learning Strategy - We do regularly update our strategies. We attend conferences, network, research, collaborate and adapt our program, however as this is the barest beginnings we have a lot to learn. Strategy scores a 3

Decisions on Projects - As online learning, in a fashion, is only being implemented in two classrooms at this time, Decisions scores a 1. (Plans are in place to add at least two additional classrooms in the next two months.)

Training - None of the staff have been trained in "virtual school system use." As far as Edmodo is concerned we are learning as we go. As far as how we want to incorporate curriculum online, we are highly trained in curriculum and regularly meet for professional development. Training scores a 1

Costs - This is not applicable

Planning Annually - Planning at this time is on a week to week basis as we try to bridge new Common Core Curriculum and 21st Century Learning skills. Planning scores a 1

Technical Support to Staff - For this I feel we score a 5. The technology specialist for the school is co-teaching in one of the classrooms and directly teaching the second classroom.

Decisions on Programs - This is not "whole school" at this time. We feel we need to gather more data from the pilot classrooms before we look beyond. The decisions we have made are "effective." Score = 2

Leadership in eLearning - As we are highly involved in the creation of this system, leadership roles are very flexible. Score 4

Management Style, Relationship Management Upwards, Reliability, Market Research - Not applicable

Security - We feel Edmodo is very secure. If a student comments, uploads work, etc. An email is sent directly to the teacher. The teacher has the capacity to delete items immediately. Score = 4

Pupil Understanding of the System - We have established "rituals and routines" and guidelines for students to use when working in the system. Score = 4

Pupil Help Desk - Not appliciable

Pupil Satisfaction - A formal survey has not been implemented as of yet, however, students are enthusiastic about learning in this system. Many post as soon as they arrive home from school and continue to work on projects during regular school breaks. Score = 4

Although this is not a traditional online class. This is most likely the closest thing our students will see in the next few years. We feel our small attempts will allow our students to understand learning happens both in and outside of the classroom.