Let's Blend Our Learning
Let's imagine ourselves in a classroom in front of our class with a new activity involving just a worksheet and minimal discussion with classmates. As you circulate the room to make observations, you realize that the students are disengaged and not focusing on the task at hand. After the lesson, you further reflect on what went wrong. Why were the students disengaged? What could you have modified to change the outcome of the lesson? Is there a different approach one could take to extend learning for all types of learners in the classroom?
An innovative strategy to help students stay engaged in the classroom is through the use of blended learning activities. According to a video resource presented by Edugains, blended learning is a "combination of face-to-face and online learning." Through this strategy, educators help teach concepts and differentiate learning for all types of learners in the classroom. As an educator, it is important to create activities for students that create an active learning environment for students; which extends their knowledge for a deeper understanding of concepts.
Thinking back on my time at placement, I could definitely think of some of my lessons where they could be modified to become more of a blended learning experience. Since each of the students in my class had access to a device, many of my lessons had an opportunity to implement some sort of blended learning activity on a variety of math concepts. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience with the learning stations. Implementing these math stations in a classroom setting would be a great for all learners in the classroom. Students could be given various stations to complete based on their learning style and the level they would most likely be comfortable completing. This structure would be very beneficial for students requiring modifications to their learning.
As part of the blended learning environment, students will be able to extend their knowledge and strengthen their skills in various concepts. All learners in the classroom will have the opportunity to demonstrate their learning as they use their mathematical intuition to solve problems. Depending on what type of learner the student is, he or she will have the option of representing the question however they wish (e.g. a diagram, mathematical equation, etc.) It is through the use of their own background knowledge that students will feel more comfortable solving problems; and more inclined to try new strategies as they discuss, or reason, with their peers ways in which to solve a problem. As students become leaders of their own learning, their skills become more enriched and students acquire a better understanding of concepts.
A great way to implement blended learning is through the use of learning stations. As previously demonstrated in class, we (the students) were responsible for visiting each of the online stations to complete mini activities. The responses for each of the questions were to be recorded in a small booklet. The use of online stations while being in class provided an engaging environment for students to learn new concepts. Using blended learning activities, such as this in the classroom, would be a great way to create an active learning environment for students. To further explore this innovative strategy, please check out the following TED Talk:
Thinking back on my time at placement, I could definitely think of some of my lessons where they could be modified to become more of a blended learning experience. Since each of the students in my class had access to a device, many of my lessons had an opportunity to implement some sort of blended learning activity on a variety of math concepts. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience with the learning stations. Implementing these math stations in a classroom setting would be a great for all learners in the classroom. Students could be given various stations to complete based on their learning style and the level they would most likely be comfortable completing. This structure would be very beneficial for students requiring modifications to their learning.
As part of the blended learning environment, students will be able to extend their knowledge and strengthen their skills in various concepts. All learners in the classroom will have the opportunity to demonstrate their learning as they use their mathematical intuition to solve problems. Depending on what type of learner the student is, he or she will have the option of representing the question however they wish (e.g. a diagram, mathematical equation, etc.) It is through the use of their own background knowledge that students will feel more comfortable solving problems; and more inclined to try new strategies as they discuss, or reason, with their peers ways in which to solve a problem. As students become leaders of their own learning, their skills become more enriched and students acquire a better understanding of concepts.
Hey Teresa,
ReplyDeleteI think it was great that you thought back to your placement and could remember where you could have incorporated an online component to your lessons. It is something that we should all because reflection is a key concept when it comes to teaching and learning. It shows that you thought about our lesson on blended learning and reflected to your own past experiences to modify lessons to make them that much more engaging. Blended learning is a great thing for the new generations of students because these are the children that were brought up in a world of technology, it is something they use every single day and it should be used to their advantage when it comes to helping them learn and consolidate ideas and knowledge. Like you said, through blended learning "students become leaders of their own learning"!
Great post!