Tuesday, 29 March 2011

Director of Online Learning, Wisconsin eSchool Network

elearning jobs

UW-Stout: Good Training Opens the Door to Your Future

Network Description:

The Wisconsin eSchool Network is a rapidly expanding statewide network of school districts that share resources to support high quality online teaching and learning initiatives to best prepare students for success in the 21st Century. Local districts autonomously determine how the online resources will be used within and by their districts. Students from throughout the state are eligible to enroll in online courses, whether for a single course or as a full-time online student. The Network anticipates reaching 5,000 enrollments for 2010-11. The Wisconsin eSchool Network’s unique, highly sustainable model provides opportunities for a knowledgeable and experienced leader to facilitate the Network’s vision.

General Description:

This is a full-time, 12 month position with salary and benefits negotiated commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Director reports to the Governance Board and/or Advisory Board or their designee.

The Director of Online Learning will execute the Wisconsin eSchool Network vision and mission for online learning; he/she will have full responsibility for developing and meeting the Network’s goals for revenue, growth and quality. He/she will be responsible for the overall management and expansion of the Network.

Responsibilities:

• Provide vision, leadership and strategic planning
• Collaborate with the governance board to develop and maintain the Network by-laws, policies and procedures, contracts etc.
• Develop an annual budget based upon Network strategic goals
• Collaborate with Online Learning Coordinator (OLC) on day-to-day operational decisions
• Collaborate with Network Partner District Liaisons to identify online learning priorities on a regular basis
• Facilitate Partner district relationships
• Manage operations for all core centralized financial and data driven tasks. This includes: budget, business records, accounting, contracts, invoices, reconciliation, staffing etc.
• Develop and maintain contractual relationships with key technology and content vendors
• Develop a recruitment and outreach program to attract new district Partners
• Oversee development of marketing plan, press releases, conference presentations
• Design, implement and oversee a district mentoring program for new Partners
• Represent and advocate for the Network at the local, state and national level by engaging in policy and politics of online learning
• Coordinate with the governance board: (i.e. prepare agendas, act as liaison to Partners as a group)
• Seek and secure grants and foundation funds to support the initiatives of the Network
• Oversee all operational tasks in collaboration with the OLC
• Write and submit conference proposals
• Keep apprised of new and emerging instructional technologies
• Address inquiries from outside districts, parents, students
• Work with the OLC to plan the agenda and facilitate the Network Partner meetings
• Coordinate Virtual High School (VHS, Inc) allocations
Qualifications:
• Masters required, preferably in education or administration
• Management experience, preferably management of an online program
• 5 years experience with teaching and online learning
• Demonstrated success as a leader of large scale projects
• Solid understanding of best/promising practices of online and blended/hybrid learning
• Strong problem solving and trouble-shooting skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with program and project evaluations
• Working knowledge of current technologies
• Experience with instructional design

Application:

Qualified candidates can apply by sending their resume` and copies of transcripts to admin@wisconsineschool.org.

Deadline for Applicants:

- Qualified candidates need to submit their resume` and transcripts by April 30, 2011.
- Selected candidates will be asked to supply references prior to interview in early May 2011.
- Contract start date to be negotiated, potentially June 1, 2011

E-Learning Job: Online Learning Coordinator, Wisconsin eSchool Network

elearning jobs

UW-Stout: Good Training Opens the Door to Your Future

I urge qualified graduates of our UW-Stout E-Learning and Online Teaching Certificate program to apply for this job! ~ Dennis O'Connor, Program Advisor .


Online Learning Coordinator, Wisconsin eSchool Network

The Wisconsin eSchool Network is a rapidly expanding statewide network of school districts that share resources to support high quality online teaching and learning initiatives to best prepare students for success in the 21st Century. Local districts autonomously determine how the online resources will be used within and by their districts. Students from throughout the state are eligible to enroll in online courses, whether for a single course or as a full-time online student. The Network anticipates reaching 5,000 enrollments for 2010-11. The Wisconsin eSchool Network’s unique, highly sustainable model provides opportunities for a knowledgeable and experienced leader to facilitate the Network’s vision.

General Description:

This is a full-time, 12 month position with salary and benefits negotiated commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Online Learning Coordinator (OLC) reports to the Governance Board and/or Advisory Board or their designee.

The OLC will execute the Wisconsin eSchool Network vision and mission for online learning; he/she will have full responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Network. He/she will be responsible for the timely support of the Network.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, distribution and promotion of operational policies and procedures
• Serve as the Network level contact for technology issues
• Become an expert in the Student Information Systems (SIS), Learning Management Systems (LMS) and online content to support districts in their use of the Network SIS, LMS and online content
• Communicate regularly with vendors to handle “trouble tickets” and request/coordinate customizations needed to better serve the Network
• Lead the development of training courses for District Liaisons, Registrars, Coaches and Teachers
• Coordinate the development of training opportunities for District Liaisons, Registrars, Coaches and Teachers
• Maintain the Wisconsin eSchool Network (WEN) website
• Maintain and expand the eHandbook, which includes operational policies and procedures
• Collaborate with the Director to plan the agenda and facilitate the Network Partner meetings
• Oversee and coordinate Network Professional Development offerings
• Lead instructional design tasks for WEN orientations, help teachers with curricula, and lead other projects as they arise

Qualifications:
• Bachelors required, Masters preferred
• Eligibility for Wisconsin teacher certification preferred
• 5 years experience with teaching and online learning
• Demonstrated success as a teacher leader
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to facilitate high quality professional development
• Solid understanding of best/promising practices of online and blended/hybrid learning
• Strong problem solving and trouble-shooting skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Working knowledge of current technologies
• Experience with instructional design
• Working knowledge of SIS, LMS and online content

Application:

Qualified candidates can apply by sending their resume` and copies of transcripts to admin@wisconsineschool.org.

Deadline for Applicants:

- Qualified candidates need to submit their resume` and transcripts by April 30, 2011.
- Selected candidates will be asked to supply references prior to interview in early May 2011.
- Contract start date to be negotiated, potentially June 1, 2011

Tuesday, 15 March 2011

UW-Stout Library Goes Mobile!

Many library resources from the University of Wisconsin-Stout Library are now available from your own pocket using your mobile device.

Our new mobile website enables users quick access to full text articles in Ebsco and Wilson databases, librarian-developed subject guides to online resources in Stout's programs, library hours, Facebook, and more.

So if you need to do some quick research on the run, just pull out your mobile device and get authoritative resources via the Library's mobile website.

Use your mobile browser to access MobileLib at http://m.uwstout.edu/lib or look for "Mobile" on the library's home page left navigation.

For more Library information and news follow the UW-Stout Library News blog.

Saturday, 12 March 2011

Weebly Video Tutorials


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Video Tutorials - Introduction to Google Sites



Friday, 11 March 2011

Moodle Training Videos | On Demand Tutorials for Online Instructors

UW-Stout's E-Learning for Educators online graduate course includes an introduction to Moodle.

  • Level 2 training. Video tutorials for Moodle instructors. Well done screencast videos that explain how to set up various resources and activities in Moodle. Narrator has a great accent!
  • Solid group of interactive training videos for basic elements of Moodle. You have the option of downloading the entire course via zip file. It is licensed under creative commons. Hosted by MoodleCommons: This would a good resource for anyone interested in working with Moodle.
    • Moodle Training Videos (Moodle Course)
      The items are divided by topic. Once you find the topic that you are interested in, select the particular video that will help you from within that topic.
      You can also download this course for your own Moodle server. Just be sure to include the CC License and attribution with the course.
  • Focus on 1.9 High Resolution Tutorials Complete Dedication to Moodle Faster Video Uploads Ability to Get .swf Directly Published Rleatively new site with great promise. YouTube for Moodle? I joined and am always grateful for good Moodle training video
    • This is a collection of 2 Minute Moodles - an attempt to simplify and show how to use a range of Moodle features. The list will grow as I find time to cook some more.
      The tutorials try not to assume too much previous knowledge and are presented for the pragmatical and not necessarily tech-savy users (Moodle purists please excuse). They are a bit like that product I got the pun from - something quick and simple to get you going.
Do you know of any excellent video tutorials for Moodle?  If so share them here!

Sunday, 6 March 2011

Make Money Teaching Online!

The best time to look for work is when you already have a job. This is when you make your plans.  Planning to leave the face to face classroom for virtual work takes preparation as well.

Finding a job is so much more than shooting resumes out via email.  Certainly the a good resume is part of the picture, but it's just one tool of many you need to sharpen as you work toward a career change. 

Be prepared!

I went back to school and got a certificate in online teaching and learning as well as a Masters Degree in Education with an emphasis on distance learning. I could see the future coming and I loved the work. I taught part time for Connected University and held on to my classroom job.  I chased grants and learned to both design and teach online. I believed hard work, dedication, and setting goals would change my world.  Eventually I took the leap to full time online employment. Despite my preparations,  it took me several years to learn the ropes.

I wish I knew then, what I know now.

I recall attending a conference just after I left the 'security' of the classroom and a traditional job.  I was at the conference to learn and to network, but I really didn't know what I was doing.  An educational sales rep took pity on me and briefly schooled me. 
  • Get a business card.
  • Establish a web presence.
  • Network with decision makers.
  • Join and participate in professional groups.

I did all that and more. Over the first few years of my career, working with dial up modems from a small mountain town, I learned project my work and experience across the country using the Internet.

The first year as a consultant and online teacher involved a lot of trial and error.  I remember sending out hundreds of reasonably crafted and targeted emails with resume.  The silence was deafening.  The offers were few, far between, and underpaid.  It was very discouraging. But that's what it took for me to realize I needed to reach out to the people I knew and truly network. My Eureka Moment came when I reconnected with some great teachers I'd met via ISTE.  After that door open to more opportunities than I could have imagined.

To prepare for an academic online teaching career I recommend reading Make Money Teaching Online.



The book helps you get organized and set goals. When I read this book I didn't learn anything new. I did see  much of what I'd learned by trial and error and hard knocks laid out chapter by chapter.  If you are just getting started, or if you are stalled and wondering how to grow your academic career, read the book.  It's filled with solid advice.  Follow the advice and you'll be better prepared when opportunity comes your way.


Read More about Finding E-Learning Jobs! 

Here are more articles about strategies for finding online work, and the kinds of preparation and paperwork you should be working on: 
  1. Where and How to Find E-Learning Jobs
  2. Finding E-Learning Jobs
  3. Finding Online Teaching Jobs: Are you a Online Teaching, Adjunct Instructor, K-12 Virtual Teacher? 
  4. E-Portfolios for Career Development: It's not just resumes anymore!
  5. Make Money Teaching Online 
  6. Successful Techniques and Proven Strategies for Finding Online Teaching Work
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