Ninja Skills of Online Teaching: techie- ness#mlearning #k12online

Techie-ness 
Definition: the ability to navigate know and unknown websites, systems, apps, devices, and all "things" technology. 

The Myth: Learning online is easy. 
What ninja online teacher knows:

• The LMS or dreaded Lesson Management System is the website where the content, assignments, and assessments are stored ( BrainHoney, Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, Connexus) 
• The SIS or Student Information System is the schools system for enrollment, grades and transcripts. (PowerSchool, Que, MiStar)
• There's an email system somewhere. Sometimes it's in the LMS, Sometimes it's district supplied emails address ( think student google accounts). 
• The online teacher must be fluent in all these systems plus video conferencing ( Hangouts or Adobe Connect) and all google products ( Google Docs, Google Slides. etc.) 

Reflections

• When I first starting teaching the ideal of a new system to learn was daunting. Thoughts like "where's my training?", "where's the manual?", " These kids will know this better than me!" filled my head. The uncomfortable feelings were paralyzing. 
• Then I learned to trust in myself and not expect to have all the answers. Your learning a new system with the students often. You don't have to have all the answers as long as you can find the answers. This is the difference between having knowledge and having the ability to learn. 
• In the future our students face, they will need the ability to learn more than the knowledge you can give them.

Ninja Strategies

• Google is your friend. Search for a topic with PDF if you need directions. 
• There's always a YouTube Video you can watch. 
• Learn from each other. Share your solutions and listen to the solutions of other teachers. They're in the same boat. 
•  Create "Lego" directions. These are my favorite versions of directions. A table with short directions in one column and screen shots in the other. 
• Learn to do screencasts. A quick screen cast of how to do common task will  save you answering many questions. 
• Build a toolkit of FAQ's. Weather it's documentation, videos, screencasts, or podcasts build up a library of commonly asked questions so you have already created resources. Reuse those resources.