Abstract:

In Finland the “Isoverkosto” network of schools coordinates the development of upper secondary distance learning services. The community actually is quite extensive with 65 member schools. In this paper we introduce the results related using synchronous and asynchronous online video resources for distance teaching. The topic is approached broadly at the level of schools and different support services as well as the pedagogical practices of individual teachers. The research data consists of wiki stories written by teachers, the interviews of selected teachers, and an online survey. Data-based content analysis was chosen as the main analysis method with the aim of highlighting the viewpoints offered by the teachers and analyzing them in the light of earlier research results. The ways of using online materials were a resource for independent learning, structured ways of learning including good practices, demonstration material to support teaching in the classroom or online, material for assignments, and flexible sharing materials for web-based courses. In the future the aim is to continue the development work and design new ways to pedagogical practices e.g. using social software for activating students and increasing collaboration when using the Virtual classroom. Also, the technical support will be further developed so that support personnel have possibility to administrate teachers’ computer online and solve the possible problems for teachers.

Keywords:

ICT, pedagogy, distance education, development community, secondary education.