Custom Workshops & Services
The Blended Way
Odysseyware® offers a multi-level, phased set of workshops and service offerings designed to help implement and enhance blended learning initiatives, anchored by the proprietary planning guide, The Blended Way. An Odysseyware consultant works with districts to build a solid foundation and ensure they have the tools and support needed to implement blended learning effectively. The Blended Way series of workshops and customizable services package includes five key phases:
- Determine school readiness to implement blended learning
- Build your blended learning team
- Identify and recruit teachers
- Create SMART goals
- Establish the overall vision to inform the direction of the blended learning program
- Develop policies, procedures, and best practices
- Identify or design the most effective blended learning model(s)
- Research and identify effective educational technology
- Recruit students
- Administer beginning-of-year student and teacher surveys; aggregate data to identify trends
- Adjust implementation timeline
- Engage in customized professional development
- Teach and model educational technology skills to students and teachers
- Design engaging instructional content conducive to the chosen model(s) and learning environment
- Actualize instructional design practices for blended learning
- Create opportunities for students to collaborate in learning
- Collaborate across the curriculum to problem solve, evaluate, and recalibrate instruction and instructional practices
- Gather student success data as determined in the Planning Phase with SMART goals
- Administer end-of-year student and teacher surveys; aggregate data to identify trends
- Gather stakeholders and decision-makers to review progress
- Determine areas of success
- Determine areas for change
- Adapt vision and outcomes based on lessons learned
- Identify goals for the second implementation period
- Identify obstacles that could inhibit the programs's continued success
- Refine policies and procedures for implementation
- Adjust design, documents, professional development, curriculum, etc., as needed
Custom Course Development
Odysseyware consultants work with districts to build a variety of custom courses. Based on a needs assessment, a consultant provides support to district staff in developing a unique course outline and curriculum for their custom course. Once completed, the course is housed within the Odysseyware learning platform and students can log in to take the course as they would any other Odysseyware course. The length, cost to develop, and curriculum covered are based on the needs assessment consultation with the district personnel.
A popular option for custom course development is the creation of an internship course to help students prepare for internships, jobs, and careers. This course can include a wide variety of skills based on local industries and can include content from the Odysseyware course library, district-authored custom content, and any other district-provided resources desired. Some of the most popular lessons included have been:
- Videos demonstrating key skills such as interviewing
- Effective communications
- Decision making
- Active listening
- Desirable workplace skills, habits, and attitudes
- Perception and communication
Needing online curriculum and a learning platform to prepare CTE students for summer 5-week internships, we turned to Odysseyware services and are glad we did!
Pamela B. Lopez
Curriculum Support Specialist, Miami-Dade Public Schools, FL