The format may be a bit strange since I copied and pasted it from Word...

Background Information: 

      This entire website is designed to support families, educators, and schools in the Wisconsin area in regards to positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) through a federal grant.  The module I’m reviewing is Classroom Management for Academic Engagement module one (rules and routines) - the initial webpage that introduces the 3 sequential modules can found here:  http://www.wisconsinpbisnetwork.org/educators/pbis-in-action/classroom-management.html.

        Visually speaking, on the homepage of these module (there are 3 introduced on this homepage), there is a LOT of small text that is very overwhelming.  After weeding through it, the message is very positive to the audience and gives choices to the learners such as skipping around in the modules but recommend going through them in sequential order.  Another option is for you as a team to design your own professional development plan using their “manual for using on-line modules”.  I found this manual document/link to be most helpful in explaining each module and giving descriptions as to the length of each module and what is entailed (i.e. videos, resources, etc).  After reading through the lengthy, monotonous text, I did find that these modules correspond to domains 2 and 3 of the Danielson framework which would correspond to Arkansas’ TESS.  This would catch my eye a bit more if this information was highlighted in such a way that I would want to go through these modules in order to utilize this training as TESS artifacts for my evaluation.

Specific to Module 1- Rules and Routines (positives, negatives, personal opinion): 

        Again, I am reviewing the first of three modules titled Rules and Routines which can be found here:  http://www.wisconsinpbisnetwork.org/assets/files/flash/ClassroomManagement/RulesandRoutines/story.html . 

        At first glance, there is large serif text that reminds me of the title of these three modules (Classroom Management for Academic Engagement) and a calm taupe background for the module.  I really like that they put the length of the module on the homepage (55 minutes) and have a status bar at the bottom in order to see the progress of the pages running, and you are able to pause, stop, rewind, and repeat within each page.  I did not realize at first that this module ran on its own with a moderator speaking, so it took me a while to figure out that I needed to turn my volume up; however, I do enjoy that this module is self-running, so you can sit back and relax a little.  The module runs from the Welcome page all the way through the Self Reflection Checklist (8 pages later) in which it pauses for you to fill out a self-reflection of how rules and procedures occur in your individual classroom environment as well as school wide.  This checklist was found in the resources tab which I was easily directed to with a large arrow pointing to it, and it was the first one in sequence to choose from.  The module then stated that it would pause until I finished the checklist, and then I am to choose a large NEXT button in order to continue- this was very helpful, and it did not make me feel dumb with the direction arrows.

        Another interactive and engaging technique used later in the module came during the “What is your attention signal” page which asked you to report out to a larger group how you get student’s attention- the module paused until you physically clicked NEXT in order to give ample time for discussion and reporting out.  The very next page was another interactive assignment which wants you to watch 4 one minute videos (all links worked) and report out to your group what type of signal was demonstrated in the video (traditional, responsive, or culturally responsive)…you then were asked to discuss your own attention signal and in which category did it fall to the group you are watching this with.

        The next activity involved another resource which was a downloadable word document for Activity 1.2 that allows you to fill in a school wide and classroom specific routine and procedures plan.  This resource was pointed out by yet another large arrow and the page was paused until you have completed the activity and click NEXT.  The form for Activity 1.2 is extensive and is explained thoroughly step by step by the moderator- the page pauses after each step so as to give your team time to complete each step as the moderator explains it.  After a few more pages, another short video is embedded (no link required) into the module that is a bit lengthy after going all this way- a 4 minute + video with synthesized singing was not something that engaged me!

        Towards the end of the module there is a step by step reflection plan that allows time to reflect, make changes, and form a plan to implement new strategies for the next school year.  After that page, I really enjoy seeing recommendations on how you can improve your own classroom management in which the moderator gives examples on what you can do and follow up on.  The end of the module concludes with thank you’s and acknowledgements. 

Reflection/Conclusion:

        I first apologize for being a bit wordy as I tend to dissect everything that is around me.  I really enjoyed going through this module and actually got a lot out of it.  This was easy to navigate, relevant, and there was only one video link that did not work because of the video compression. 

What I loved/enjoyed about this module:

Ø  There is a transcript option

Ø  Every example and video given had 2 options- primary (kindergarten) or secondary

Ø  Pages are moderated and changed very quickly (within one minute) to allow for comprehension

Ø  Videos are typically kept within one minute (only found one that wasn’t)

Ø  Module made it really easy to start and stop and continue if module must be completed over multiple days or sessions

Ø  If the moderator asked you to perform an activity, the steps were listed on the screen and read aloud

Ø  At the end the “How can I improve page” gave great recommendations for improving your overall classroom management

Ø  User friendly and easy navigation

Areas for improvement in regards to this module (not too many actually):

Ø  One irrelevant and goofy video that I did not get anything out of

Ø  Under the resources tab (where the downloadable word documents are found), there were several word documents that are just for reference, but were never mentioned…only the ones that were used in the activities were mentioned

Ø  I would have found it beneficial for the module to have text that states to turn the volume up now

Ø  The module can actually occur over several months as it asks you form a behavioral lesson plan, implement it, and then have a self-correction plan for when it does not work…this could take quite a while to accomplish

WBI Rubric scores:

        All areas scored 5’s except:

Indicator	Score	Rationale
7.  Learning achievement adequately evaluated	3	Achievement was not scored on how much was learned throughout the module, but rather based on your improved classroom management skills overall; there is a pre and posttest on the original homepage that did not work
8.  Evaluation criteria clearly expressed	2	Evaluation did not occur based on learnings in the module, but rather self-evaluation of your own routine and procedures- there is a pre and posttest on the original homepage that did not work
12.  Providing positive feedback and feeling of accomplishment	2	The only feedback would have come if I were to go through this module in a group setting
15.  authorship and date clearly stated	3	No date
17.  Use of multimedia	4	Irrelevant and unnecessary video used
18.  Mechanical aspects	4	Compressed video would not work

Reference:

"Classroom Management - Rules and Routines." Wisconsin PBIS Network. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Sept. 2014. http://www.wisconsinpbisnetwork.org/assets/files/flash/ClassroomManagement/RulesandRoutines/story.html