Edutopia has created a "Schools that Work" page on the internet that showcases the "practices and case studies from K-12 schools and districts that are improving the way students learn." It contains a wealth of information in such areas as technology integration which we will be exploring here on blended learning. There are a total of 9 different content areas that may be explored on Edutopia's "Schools that Work" page through articles and videos alike.
It is no secret that teachers, myself included, are learning how to fully maximize our student's learning using technology. While some educators fully believe that technology is the end-all, be-all of their teaching career, I feel as though it may be useful in the classroom setting. Blended learning is a method of incorporating technology into the classroom in addition to face-to-face learning. The technology is used to supplement areas of learning that either need more attention, extra animation, or simply more individual practice.
It is no secret that teachers, myself included, are learning how to fully maximize our student's learning using technology. While some educators fully believe that technology is the end-all, be-all of their teaching career, I feel as though it may be useful in the classroom setting. Blended learning is a method of incorporating technology into the classroom in addition to face-to-face learning. The technology is used to supplement areas of learning that either need more attention, extra animation, or simply more individual practice.
The school showcased above is P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School in Gainesville, Florida. Kristen Weller and Mickey MacDonald are teachers who are extremely dedicated to the blended learning style of teaching and their success is showing! Not only are the children in this school producing the highest standardized test scores in the state, they are also proving to understand more on their own personal levels as individuals.
Blended learning is a great way to help differentiate learning for individuals. This is a concept I believe in whole-heartedly as my students are all completely unique and require different tools to learn. I love that using this concept I may work face-to-face with small groups while the other students are still learning with the technology that is provided for them. This makes it much easier for me to assess who is doing well and who is struggling so that I may better create lessons to help these individuals. The great part about this technology is that I may choose to assign games or tutorials that are low-pressure but still provide students with the necessary information that they need to be successful in my classroom. Learning shouldn't be stressful!
It is important to note that the technology used here will vary from classroom to classroom and that the emphasis isn't on what technology is used, but how it is used. The variety is endless- student may choose to listen to me on a video, or they may choose to listen to outside sources that would explain the material in a way that I haven't already done so. It helps students who learn one way to catch on just as quickly as students who learn in other ways.I love this example of blended learning because I feel as though my students are all different and have different learning needs. Some students may prefer face-to-face activities over activities carried out with technology. As one student on the video expresses, " I've like probably learned more today just by doing this [working with the technology] than I have the whole week that we've been doing this [learning base pairing in biology]". With blended learning I am better able to meet my student's individual needs. It appears to be a win-win for everyone here!
The last key point I would like to emphasis from this video specifically, as it was so elegantly stated here by Kristen Weller "A lot of the face-to-face stuff is still the most important to me. The online tools are there to make understanding even more better, even more rich of an experience for the kids".
Dear parents, students, and fellow educators,
I urge you to learn about the technologies that are available to you. Learning is so precious. I plan on learning how to use certain apps on iPads, for example, to help my students create and share music within my classroom. It is a simple task that allows each student to learn how to read music, write music, create music, share music, edit music, listen by ear, learn music theory, develop a rich musical vocabulary, learn about articulation, and a host of social skills that are forever valuable in all settings. This happens with one simple blank page on an application called Noteflight! Our kids are smart. They want to learn. This isn't a matter of classroom management and having all students follow a strict regime. It's about letting them do what they do best and explore. We need to let loose a little and let our students show us how they want to learn! When the right tools are utilized in the most efficient way, learning can return to being fun for our students. Still, it's up to us that we learn about the technologies we can use to make their learning the best that it may be. I plan on starting small with iPads and branching out. What do you plan on doing? If you need help just reach out for it! Even your students know a thing or two about technology that would surprise you! If you need help it's going to be there- I will even offer my guidance as a free gift to your student's learning!
If you are curious as to how I use blended learning in my classroom today, just ask! Keep in mind that technology and it's use are constantly changing. If you have questions about what this means for your child, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
Blended learning is a great way to help differentiate learning for individuals. This is a concept I believe in whole-heartedly as my students are all completely unique and require different tools to learn. I love that using this concept I may work face-to-face with small groups while the other students are still learning with the technology that is provided for them. This makes it much easier for me to assess who is doing well and who is struggling so that I may better create lessons to help these individuals. The great part about this technology is that I may choose to assign games or tutorials that are low-pressure but still provide students with the necessary information that they need to be successful in my classroom. Learning shouldn't be stressful!
It is important to note that the technology used here will vary from classroom to classroom and that the emphasis isn't on what technology is used, but how it is used. The variety is endless- student may choose to listen to me on a video, or they may choose to listen to outside sources that would explain the material in a way that I haven't already done so. It helps students who learn one way to catch on just as quickly as students who learn in other ways.I love this example of blended learning because I feel as though my students are all different and have different learning needs. Some students may prefer face-to-face activities over activities carried out with technology. As one student on the video expresses, " I've like probably learned more today just by doing this [working with the technology] than I have the whole week that we've been doing this [learning base pairing in biology]". With blended learning I am better able to meet my student's individual needs. It appears to be a win-win for everyone here!
The last key point I would like to emphasis from this video specifically, as it was so elegantly stated here by Kristen Weller "A lot of the face-to-face stuff is still the most important to me. The online tools are there to make understanding even more better, even more rich of an experience for the kids".
Dear parents, students, and fellow educators,
I urge you to learn about the technologies that are available to you. Learning is so precious. I plan on learning how to use certain apps on iPads, for example, to help my students create and share music within my classroom. It is a simple task that allows each student to learn how to read music, write music, create music, share music, edit music, listen by ear, learn music theory, develop a rich musical vocabulary, learn about articulation, and a host of social skills that are forever valuable in all settings. This happens with one simple blank page on an application called Noteflight! Our kids are smart. They want to learn. This isn't a matter of classroom management and having all students follow a strict regime. It's about letting them do what they do best and explore. We need to let loose a little and let our students show us how they want to learn! When the right tools are utilized in the most efficient way, learning can return to being fun for our students. Still, it's up to us that we learn about the technologies we can use to make their learning the best that it may be. I plan on starting small with iPads and branching out. What do you plan on doing? If you need help just reach out for it! Even your students know a thing or two about technology that would surprise you! If you need help it's going to be there- I will even offer my guidance as a free gift to your student's learning!
If you are curious as to how I use blended learning in my classroom today, just ask! Keep in mind that technology and it's use are constantly changing. If you have questions about what this means for your child, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.