Instructional+Unit+in+a+Virtual+Classroom+Environment

=Instructional Unit in a Virtual Classroom Environment - The Universal Outline = This assignment was the Structured External Assignment for EDT 6020. It incorporated most of the other assignments of this course. The basic idea of the assignment was to create an online instructional unit on Black Board, the course management system used by Wilmington University. This unit was to include the following items: 3 to 4 lessons, 3 discussion board assignments, 1 blogging assignment, 1 group assignment, 1 class demonstration using Jing, 1 demonstration using Wimba Classroom, a 10 question pre-assessment test, a 10 question post assessment test, a syllabus, pre-course activities, and a creative logo.

Creating the Universal Outline
This unit is based on a theory of mine that I ahve been toying around with for a couple years. I don't know if the theory is original but my idea is not based on anything I have read or seen. The theory is that the basic outline we have all come to know can be applied to every form of writing. If we can learn to use this basic structure and master some of its intricacies, we can master any form of good writing. I have given an open challenge to many English classes to find a writing form I can't fit into this model and all have been unsuccessful. I also believe that most students have trouble writing because they fail in the planning stage. That idea is not original to me. Figuring out the best way to teach this concept will be an ongoing process for me.

Reflection
Like many assignments in this course of study - Applied Technology, it was designed with the best of intentions. Have the students work on ideas they can take back to the classroom, and allow them to bring their classroom into the assignments. This must be much easier for teachers in permanent teaching positions. If it is not, I don't know how they could teach full time and take a course like this. I have been under the assumption that they just pull lessons out of their curriculum guide and adapt them to the assignment. This assignment has two very big but very different aspects. The first is learning all of the new software. Each week has required many hours to learn more software. The second is writing instructional units. I do not have a permanent teaching position. I don't have a binder on the shelf of lessons I need to teach to pull from. The end result are a large collection of assignments which are half finished and embarrassing to look at because the 50 hours a week I spend on this class isn't enough. I have given this class everything I have, and I am going to have to do it all over again when I repeat this class over the summer.

Screen Captures
**Screen Capture 1**. //The Announcement Window// - This is the opening screen for the course and the recommended first page to look at when students sign into the Black Board.



**Screen Capture 2.** //The Starting Line// - This page contains 4 quick assignments for the student to complete before they begin the course, including the student contract.



**Screen Capture 3.** //The Class Contract// - The student contract was created using the survey tool. All students have the option to agree or disagree with four statements concerning academic honesty, cyber-citizenship, and timely participation. Students after the oppotunity to explain why they might disagree with any statements.