Blog Introduction

As Educators we model behavior, model concepts, and scaffold content for students to learn.  This manifesto is designed as a model of distance education for educators and administrators.  Michigan passed a law a few years ago called 21f where students in grades 6-12 may take an online course if they choose. Just as we model material for students to practice learning and critically think about the solution to problems, my  hope is that my blog does the same for my colleagues.

On our campus we have quite a few teachers that are "blending" their courses.  Most of the courses are a transition from face- to- face courses to blended or hybrid courses.  Then there are courses that teachers want to design to capture the students that are ready for online learning but not ready for dual enrollment or the offerings of Michigan Virtual just yet. There are also colleagues who are just fine with face-to-face interaction in their content areas, but know they need to adapt to the needs of their students.  They are just unsure of how to begin to do it.

I would like to see my campus come together as a distance education community, just as we have created a professional development community and support this style of education for our student body.  I want to become the early adopter that my colleagues can review and provide feedback.  It is my hope that as I journalize my journey through the distance education course process that my colleagues can define what distance education can look like for them, from the design process to the technology, to the implementation.