Big Spring Independent SchoolsShared Teacher Guidelines forDistance LearningSection 0: Introduction This document is intended merely as a guideline to help Big Spring ISD and other districts to share teachers through EdLink 18 Communication Co-Op. Region 18 does not assume any authority over the relationships that schools establish for the purpose of sharing instruction across district lines. Region 18 also does not assume any responsibility for any problems that may result from schools that enter such relationships. (Adopted from guidelines from Keith Cameron, ESC 18 Consultant) 0.2 Terminology For the purposes of this document, the following terms will be used:
(Top) 1.1 Instructor The instructor should be a member of the faculty of the host school. Each instructor should possess the following:
1.11 Instructor Responsibilities The instructor should assume all of the normal classroom responsibilities. In addition, the following should be the responsibility of the instructor.
1.2 Facilitator It is the responsibility of the remote school to provide a facilitator for each class it receives via distance learning. Remote site facilitators should meet the following requirements:
In cases where a facilitator may be absent, the remote school is responsible for providing a substitute. At no time should a class of students be unsupervised locally. It is also recommended that, when possible, a certified teacher be the remote school facilitator. Please note that some lab situations may require a certified teacher be present. 1.21 Facilitator Responsibilities Facilitators will shoulder a great deal of responsibility in shared teacher classrooms. In particular, facilitators should
1.3 Employee Evaluation All employee evaluations should be conducted by the employing school. Thus, the host school will evaluate the instructor while the remote school will evaluate the facilitator. 1.4 Students Distance learning will not work for every student in a school system. Students should be screened to determine their ability to be successful. In addition, students will sign the Student Contract found in Appendix A. To be successful in this environment, it is recommended that the student possess certain traits and characteristics
(Top) It is highly recommended that any instructor who will be teaching via distance learning take a 3 day seminar provided by Region 18. The curriculum for the seminar is as follows: Day 1: Application Tools Useful in Distance Learning Environments
Day 2: Introduction to Distance Learning Equipment
Day 3: Classroom Management Techniques
Teaching via distance learning is vastly different than teaching before a live group of students. Failure to adapt teaching styles to methodology that works best in this medium can lead to failure. (Top) 3.1 Textbooks Since different schools may use different texts, it is important to agree on a common textbook in the early stages of planning a distance learning course. The teacher should have authority to select the text of his/her choice. The remote school will be responsible for supplying the textbook of the instructor’s choice. 3.2 Teacher Prepared Materials If the teacher intends to prepare materials to be used in the class, he/she must ensure that these are available to the remote school students in a timely fashion. There are various methods of sending such materials to remote schools:
The method of delivering and receiving materials is left to the discretion of the teacher. 3.3 Other Materials Depending on the class, there may be other materials required as well. For example, an Algebra I class may make use of manipulatives or calculators. All materials required by the course should be discussed and agreed on before the class begins. It then becomes the responsibility of the remote school to acquire all required materials. The remote school will provide student email accounts for their site. (Top) 4.1 Teacher Compensation Teaching a course via distance learning requires a great deal of work. Materials must be converted to a format compatible with the distance learning equipment, new presentation techniques must be learned and incorporated into lessons, additional time outside of class must be provided to students for help, etc. Therefore, it is recommended that a stipend be granted to any teacher willing to provide a course via distance learning.
It is the responsibility of the host school to provide any compensation to the teacher. 4.2 Student Fees The host school will be paid $250 per student per semester per course for a minimum of ten students. The maximum number of students in the distance learning class will not exceed sixteen students for a summer session or twenty students for a fall/spring session. If the minimum seat allowance is not met the contracting entities will share the remaining minimum seat cost equally. For example, one remote site has contracted for two students and a second remote site has contracted three students equaling five students. Since the minimum is ten students, the costs for the remaining five seats will be split between the two entities. (Top) Section 5: Technology Concerns 5.1 Technology Support
It is important to plan ahead for
technology problems. No matter how well the equipment
works, there will be problems at some point. Therefore,
each distance learning room should be equipped with the
following information.
5.2 Troubleshooting Checklist Anytime that technology is used over a prolonged period of time, there will be problems. To help deal with those problems, a short checklist of things to do is appended to this document as Appendix H: Troubleshooting Checklist. All personnel involved with distance learning should be familiar with this checklist, and a copy should be maintained in the distance learning room. 5.3 Preparing for Technical Problems There will be technical problems. Equipment can break down, bad weather can bring down lines, and users can push the wrong button. To help prepare for such times, you might want to do the following:
5.4 Taping Students There are times when classes may be taped. Any time that students appear on tape, there is the possibility of legal entanglements. Therefore, it becomes necessary to secure permission from the student and his/her parent/guardian prior to taping. The attached document, Appendix A: Student Contract, contains a clause granting permission for the student to be taped. Note that this clause only pertains to videotaping. (Top) In addition to the items referenced in the preceding sections, there are numerous other issues to deal with. 6.1 Discipline Discipline should be handled by each remote school. Although the student is subject to the directives of the instructor, the student’s school is responsible for any disciplinary action. 6.2 Calendar Conflicts There will be some calendar conflicts throughout the school year. When conflicts arise, the host school’s calendar should take precedence. Some potential conflicts are:
Other calendar conflicts may arise throughout the year as well. To deal with such conflicts, it is well to plan ahead and to plan for emergencies. Instructors should ensure that extra activities are available at each remote school for use during unexpected conflicts. 6.3 Class Enrollment The host school, in consultation with the instructor, will have final say on the number of remote school students that may attend a class (See section 4.2 of this document). There are variables that can influence that number.
In general, the following guidelines should be adhered to:
(Top) Name of School: ______________________________ In order to provide students with courses they may not otherwise be able to take, many school systems have made arrangements to receive such classes via distance learning. Although this is a good way to receive valuable instruction, it is not intended for all students. In order to be successful in such an environment, the student must be willing to agree to the following:
I have read and understood the policy
above, and I agree to abide by this document.
(Top) Appendix B: Instructor Memo of Understanding Name of Employing School: ____________________________________ In order to provide students with courses they may not otherwise be able to take, many school systems have made arrangements to receive such classes via distance learning. Teaching a class using this medium requires different techniques and approaches than traditional classroom methods. In order to be successful in such an environment, the teacher must be willing to agree to the following:
I have read and understood the policy
above, and I agree to abide by this document.
Appendix C: Facilitator Memo of Understanding Name of Employing School: _____________________________________________ In order to provide students with courses they may not otherwise be able to take, many school systems have made arrangements to receive such classes via distance learning. Teaching a class using this medium requires different techniques and approaches than traditional classroom methods. One special consideration is the employment of a facilitator to monitor students at remote sites. In order to be successful in such an environment, the facilitator must be willing to agree to the following:
I have read and understood the policy
above, and I agree to abide by this document. Appendix D: Host School Memo of Understanding Name of Host School: ________________________________________________
In order to provide students with
courses they may not otherwise be able to take, many
school systems have made arrangements to receive such
classes via distance learning. Providing a class using
this medium requires special considerations by the host
school.. In order for this arrangement to be
successful, the host school must be willing to agree to
the following:
I have read and understood the policy
above, and I agree to abide by this document. Appendix E: Remote School Memo of Understanding Name of Host School: _________________________________________________ In order to provide students with courses they may not otherwise be able to take, many school systems have made arrangements to receive such classes via distance learning. Receiving a class using this medium requires special considerations by the remote school. In order for this arrangement to be successful, the remote school must be willing to agree to the following:
I have read and understood the policy above, and I agree to abide by this document.
Big Spring Independent School District
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