NACOL VSS 2007 Recap

This was one of the better conferences I’ve been to.  There was a nice mix of topics for those just starting out new online school programs as well as some for the ‘grey beards’ in the group (those with 5 or more years experience in online schools).  Here are a couple of highlights:

• Teacher Preparation: This topic came up over and over again – how the current teacher preparation programs in the United States fail (miserably, I might add) at preparing teachers for any type of online instruction at all.  So – we’ve identified the problem.  Now – anyone have a solution?  Unfortunately the folks who can make this sort of change do not attend these types of conferences.  Outreach is needed.
• Teaching 21st Century Skills: This – coupled with Web 2.0 technologies – was another repeating theme.  The big difference between this year and last?  Most people in the sessions I attended knew what wikis and blogs were this year.  Last year?  Eh- not so much.  A praiseworthy presentation by Glen Moses (www.mrmoses.org) and his colelagues from Odyssey schools in Las Vegas.  Glen used every 2.0/3.0 technology he could in order to present his ideas (Twitter, blogs, wiki, streaming video, etc.) rather than PowerPointing us to death.  Intersting stat – one approximation was that only 25-30% of students take part in supplemental course activities such as participation in class-based social networking and blogging.  Is this becasue it is “optional and supplemental”?  Or because they aren’t interested in those activities?
• Tiny Food: Okay – it was not a topic, but it was a recurring theme.  Both evening get togethers featured only appetizers – no sit-down meals to be had here! 
• Teacher Training:  This topic was very popular as well – mostly due to the dearth of teacher preparation 9see above).
• The need for data: Not just data – but consistent and equivalent data points that we can use to truly measure the effectiveness of programs.  What is the real definition of “course completer”?  How does a CAT test compare with a NY Regents?  A centralized method to store and share this data as well was indicated.
• The need for randomized studies: The ‘gold standard’, as it was called at the conference.  Where good data is present, using sound investigative experimental designs to measure the success (or failure) of online programs.