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Discussion/Case Studies by Vector

Vector 1 - Leading Learning Applications

1. Please read the case study on Bayside Academy‎ and discuss your answer on the Wordpress discussion area.

2. Why are people drawn to learning communities like Edline?

Vector 2 - Leading Solutions Providers

Case Study:

o Between 2007 and 2009, OpenSchool BC spent almost $180,000 developing an online grade 10 Science course for use in British Columbia High schools (Liddy, 2010).
o The design process was carried out by Instructional Designers, Graphic Designers, Programmers, a Project Manager, and a Copyright Officer.
o This Science 10 course included a wide range of original animations, videos, lessons, graphics, diagrams to encourage student engagement with the content

Discussion Questions: (respond to one or more of these in Wordpress, thanks)

- If you were overseeing the design of an online course or learning community, what elements would you incorporate into the design to maximize learning? Would it be costly to add these elements?
- Compare and contrast an academic learning community and a professional learning community.

Vector 3 - Stability and Usability

Case Studies (respond to one or more of the questions below marked by a blue bullet in Wordpress. Thanks :-))

In 2009, over 16,000 students a year took courses through Thompson Rivers University-Open Learning (TRU-OL) toward 52 degree, diploma and certificate programs. This included 220 Thompson Rivers U. distance courses and another 200 delivered through consortium institutions (mainly UBC, SFU & UVic). TRU-OL encourages students to take online post-secondary courses through a host of participating institutions.

What are the benefits of taking courses at multiple institutions? Have you considered taking courses from an institution other than UBC and using them towards your MET degree?

The Impact of greater Choice in Education. In September, 2009 the funding model for Secondary (high school) education changed in British Columbia. High schools are now funded 'per course.' Previously, schools received a lump sum of approximately $6,000 for each 'full time' student registered at the school. Now, brick-and-mortar schools receive $800 for each course and students have the right to take courses at more than one school, including online schools. This policy change has fueled dramatic growth in the number of students taking courses through online providers. During the 2009/2010 school year, approximately 10% of all BC K-12 students, and 20% of those in grades 10, 11, 12 registered for an online Distributed Learning course (Winkelmans, 2010).

Is it likely that your children or the children you know will take all of their courses at a single Elementary or Secondary school?
Like it or not, with the move to 'per course' funding and other similar initiatives in Canada and the U.S., the element of competition is steadily being introduced into public schooling. The hidden message from government is clear: offer high quality programs or watch as your students migrate to other brick-and-mortar or online schools. All schools are wanting to attract students to maintain their funding base and avoid layoffs. Do you feel that the element of competition will enhance or detract from the delivery of quality education?

Vector 4 - Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Case Study:

In Ottawa, we used to have a media centre run by the Ottawa District School Board that both public and Catholic board used. A few years ago, the provincial government cut funding and the centre was closed. Now our schools have to supply themselves with multimedia resources and our school libraries try to take up the slack with their meagre budgets.

Compare the cost of access to the cost of ownership when considering if a consortium would be the solution to this problem. Place your comments on our course blog.

Vector 5 - Future Potential

Case Study

I added laminate flooring to my basement last summer. After hacking up and wasting a case of flooring and not getting any useful advice from the salesperson at Home Depot, I turned to YouTube (a participatory learning community) for some expert advice...voila floor installed !

Discussion Question

Describe the online forums that you turn to for advice in personal and professional situations. Would you be willing to pay to access this advice?

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