evaluating onlineteacherinacol dec2011

Evaluating Online Teachers

Barbara TreacyiNACOL Southeast

December, 2011

Questions to Address

Why does evaluation matter? What’s different about

evaluating online teachers? How do we align to iNACOL

Online Teaching Standards ? What strategies, tools and

approaches work? How do we connect evaluation

to professional development?

"Teacher quality matters. In fact, it is the most important school-related factor influencing student achievement.” -Jennifer King Rice, University of Maryland

“I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.”

- Lilly Tomlin

Why is Evaluation Important?

Quality requires accountability Online programs are under

scrutiny Student success depends on

quality teachers Strong evaluation supports

teacher retention

Teacher Evaluation Challenges

Lots of buzz about evaluation but little clarity

Teachers must be respected AND accountable

Evaluation requires staff, time and expertise

Clear expectations for teachers are needed Follow-up professional development and

collaborative opportunities are critical

Good Teaching is Good Teaching: Online or Face-to-

face"If you want to teach well to very high standards, you have to know the students well, you have to have that relationship that allows you to both challenge them, and adapt what you're doing for them so that it works."

-Linda Darling-Hammond

All Teachers Need To: establish clear expectations have good curriculum provide regular feedback and

assessment listen to and learn from their students address individual learning needs incorporate technology effectively collaborate with and contribute to

school and professional communities

What’s Different About Teaching Online? Online curriculum: different structure

Student expectations: make use of new tools Social dynamic: different pace and structures Online discussion: new facilitation strategies

needed; importance of written communication Classroom management: different methods to

address cohort and individual pacing needs Assessment: new tools and strategies needed Technical: challenges may occur

“The illiterate of the 21stcentury will not be those who cannot read and

write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and

relearn.” -Alvin Toffler

iNACOL Online Teaching Standards Initial: 2008; Updated: October, 2011

Focus on good teaching practices AND the online context – Connecting them

together Adapted from SREB Standards Address:

Teacher knowledge and understanding Teacher abilities

Set the agenda for quality teaching AND preparation of new online instructors

The Online Teacher:A: Knows concepts and structures of effective online instructionB: Uses a range of technologies that support student learning and engagementC: Plans, designs, and incorporates strategies for

active learning, interaction, participation, and collaboration

D: Promotes student success through clear expectations, prompt responses, and feedback

E: Models, guides, and encourages legal, ethical, and safe behavior related to technology use

The Online Teacher:F: Is cognizant of the diversity of student

needs and incorporates accommodationsG: Demonstrates competencies in creating and implementing assessments in online

environmentsH: Develops and delivers assessments, projects,

and assignments that meet standards-based learning goals

I: Demonstrates competency in using data from assessments and other data sources

J: Interacts in a professional, effective manner with colleagues, parents, and other community members

K: (Optional) Arranges media and content online

Evaluation Strategies And Tools Establish clear expectations and

incorporate iNACOL Online Teaching Standards

Ensure all teachers understand the Standards and expectations, including new teachers

Encourage teachers to conduct self-evaluations based on Standards

Work with teachers to set annual goals, with accountability measures and PD plans

Strategies and Tools, cont. Develop and prepare administrative staff

to conduct regular teacher evaluations Establish and share observation process

At least annually for all teachers More frequently for new teachers As needed when issues arise

Use the LMS/CMS and other data thoughtfully

Include teacher artifacts/portfolios

Role of Professional Development Evaluation must be coupled with a PD plan;

targeted to the outcomes of the evaluation Online teachers also need ongoing PD in:

subject matter content and pedagogy online pedagogy and instructional practice new technologies and tools school/district policies

Recognize importance of teacher communities and collaborative opportunities

Questions for Discussion

What challenges do you face in implementing teacher evaluation?

What strategies and tools do you use?

What’s different when evaluating online teachers?

How do you use the iNACOL Online Teaching Standards?

Thank you!

Barbara Treacybtreacy@edc.org

EdTech Leaders Onlinehttp://edtechleaders.org

Education Development Centerhttp://edc.org