ERIC Number: EJ1079897
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1179-7665
EISSN: N/A
The FarNet Journey: Effective Teaching Strategies for Engaging Maori Students on the Virtual Learning Network
Barbour, Michael; Bennett, Carolyn
Journal of Open, Flexible and Distance Learning, v17 n1 p12-23 2013
The Virtual Learning Network (VLN) provides schools, particularly those in rural and remote areas, with the opportunity to cooperate to expand curricular offerings for their students. Each school that participates in a VLN cluster contributes at least one course delivered by an e-teacher, allowing member schools access to any course offered through the VLN that they cannot offer locally. At present, there is no formal national training for the e-teachers, although individual clusters offer a range of training opportunities. This case study focused on the e-teachers' perceptions of the learning curve required for them to be adequately and effectively prepared to teach in the virtual environment. Results indicated that the experiences of e-teachers in this new learning environment were positive, but still embedded in the norm of a school. Further, e-teachers desired professional development beyond learning how to use the technology, but wanted more assistance in developing their pedagogy to work in the online environment. It is recommended that VLN cluster administration, and the Ministry of Education, provide a range of professional development opportunities in a variety of formats. The focus of this professional development should move beyond the technological tools and focus on how to use those tools in a virtual learning environment.
Descriptors: Pacific Islanders, Educational Technology, Technology Uses in Education, Rural Areas, Access to Education, Distance Education, Case Studies, Teacher Competencies, Teacher Education, Online Courses, Secondary School Teachers, Secondary Education, Online Surveys, Semi Structured Interviews, Computer Mediated Communication, Teacher Student Relationship, Peer Relationship
DEANZ: New Zealand Association for Open, Flexible and Distance Learning. Open Polytechnic, 3 Cleary Street Private Bag 31914, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand. Tel: +64-3-345-8246; Web site: http://journals.akoaotearoa.ac.nz/index.php/JOFDL
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A