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There is a craze occurring in classrooms around the world and it is called blended learning. The question is: How do you blend student learning and what does it look like implemented in the classroom? According to the website Blended Learning Toolkit, "Blended courses are classes where a portion of the traditional face-to-face instruction is replaced by web-based online learning." So blended learning can take on several different models such as station rotation, lab rotation, flipped classroom, and more. To see more details about the different models of blended learning check out the resource below titled Blended Learning Models. Now that we have a better understanding of what blended learning we are now going to question "why?" blended learning is being used today.
According to the video below, blended learning has several benefits including that students can work at their own pace. Also, the website The 7 Most Important Benefits of Blended Learning states that, "Effective blended learning is a "best of all worlds"solution that can help you cater to all learning styles." Therefore, blended learning is great for the students because it provides them with a more individualized learning process which is supported by these two resources. A second benefit that the video mentions is that there are various options for costs. Monique mentions in her TED Talk that there are free options available and also options that can be purchased by schools. The website Whooo's Reading The Blog also states that blended learning, "can be expensive upfront, but you'll save money that's normally spent on resources and supplies." I have personally found blended learning to be favorable because I have my students work on a program called Moby Max which sets up an individualized plan for each student based on a pre-assessment. Also, students can work through lessons at their own pace. I am lucky enough that our school pays for the license so blended learning is of no cost to me. Now that we have reviewed the "Why?" for blended learning, lets now investigate how to incorporate it within our classroom. So how exactly do we put blended learning in place? The website mentioned above, Blended Learning Models, provides some excellent ideas on ways to incorporate blended learning within your classroom. I think that the first starting point is to determine which model you would like to use. The website, Blended Learning Models, provides ideas such as flipped classroom and station rotation which are my two personal favorites. The website, 27 Tips to Set Up Your Blended Learning Classroom, has some excellent tips for getting started as well. One tip being, "Design the classroom as a blended learning environment." For example, do you have technology in place for students to work on, and have you set up your classroom to be conducive to the different learning that will occur within your room? When I personally visualize how I want blended learning to look within my classroom I imagine the station rotation model where students rotate through stations where each group is completing different types of learning. For example, I would have a group working with me, a group on Moby Max, a group with a hands on activity, a group completing another technology based assignment. I know that it seems like a complex environment, but I truly believe that with strong procedures and expectations it can be accomplished. Lastly, the website: 27 Tips to Set Up Your Blended Learning Classroom states that you need to "be patient". Just like anything new, implementing blended learning is a process that takes time and patience to see through. There are so many benefits that blended learning can bring to your classroom, you just need to take the time to jump in and give it a try. Check out the mentioned resources below for more information. Resources: Blended Learning Toolkit Blended Learning Models The 7 Most Important Benefits of Blended Learning Whooo's Reading The Blog Moby Max 27 Tips to Set Up Your Blended Learning Classroom
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AuthorI am a student at IUS and working towards my Masters degree in secondary education with a technology enhancement. ArchivesCategories
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