Blended learning-it's all about the mix!

The latest blog post my class and I have been assigned by our Guru of Technology Instructor is new trends in Digital Learning. I have chosen to write about Blended Learning. Blended learning is a hybrid of traditional classroom learning and online learning. Each student is given instruction in class and then students take it upon themselves to enhance that lesson on their own.

 Immediately, flipped classrooms come to mind when I think of blended learning. This is where an educator provides a lesson for students to watch at home or at their convenience (within a given amount of time) and with which students need to become familiar.  An extension of this lesson will be presented at the next class. There are so many advantages to blended learning, in my opinion. This gives students a way to be more in control of their own learning. It also allows for students to watch the online portion as many times as necessary. In this regard, flipped learning is really very adaptive to students, as they are able to learn the online portion at their own pace. I would also like to add that I ask my students to bring their phones (or whatever tech they own and are comfortable bringing to

Another way that blended learning is used in classrooms is research for a topic in any class. Teachers can assign a project or topic for an assignment and students are able to research online.  I have found that when I assign online research for projects in my classes, students embrace the opportunity. Because the technology is literally at their fingertips, students are able to fully comprehend their assignment, and then begin their research. As questions arise, students are able to search for the answers and continue to form understanding of their task.

Another way that blended learning is very apparent in today’s classrooms are online textbooks. I have a class set of science books and a code for each of my students to access the online textbook. This is a great option for students, as they don’t have to carry a heavy textbook back and forth to and from school daily. There is a drawback to the online textbook option for those, however, who do not have access to technology or internet at their homes. This is where teachers need to provide students an opportunity to have access to the textbook. In a perfect world, all students would have a device and internet access at all times. We are moving to 1 to 1 technology here in Edmond, but at this time, we still have students who have no access to tech at home. One way that I have tried to solve this issue is to allow students to visit the media center for computer access during lunch or after school. This takes away from their social time with friends, but does allow them a chance to read the online textbook. This is not the best option, but it can be an option, when necessary.

I use blended learning often in my classroom and I believe that most teachers do this, as well. We have figured out that there are so many benefits to allowing students to use technology in education. I personally believe that allowing my students to be in charge of their own learning (and bringing their own devices to class daily) has truly enhanced their understanding of the curriculum. If they don’t understand something, they can stop and google it and then go on. I love this idea for my kiddos! I encourage my students to ask questions and to have understanding of what they are learning.

I strongly believe that blended learning is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to digital trends. I am so glad that my students have the opportunity to participate in this type of learning, as I truly feel that it puts in charge of their own learning, helps them learn skills that are going to be necessary in the “real world”, and helps them to become more independent learners and citizens. I am grateful that I work in a district that embraces technology and encourages educators to find ways to implement Ed Tech at every level. This has given me the drive to try new technology with my students. Here’s to blended learning-it’s all about the mix! 

ISTE bitsy blogger

This week’s blog assignment is to compare the EdTech to which our colleagues have introduced to our cohort class, the technology each of us uses in our own classes, and if all of the above are in compliance with ISTE (international Society for Technology in Education, http://www.iste.org/) . I have spent some time this week reading about ISTE standards and trying to familiarize myself with the standards for both students and teachers. I have mainly focused on the student standards, as that was the intent of this blog.

There are 6 standards for students, with regard to ISTE, and they are listed below:

1.     Creativity and Innovation

2.     Communication and collaboration

3.     Research and Information Fluency

4.     Critical thinking, problem solving and decision making

5.     Digital Citizenship

6.     Technology operations and concepts

I happen to believe that the Education Technology that our colleagues/classmates have introduced are in alignment with student standards. There may have been some presentations that were focused on one or a few of the standards rather than all of the six, but they all comply with at least one standard, in my opinion. I think that some of the EdTech presentations were very innovative and interesting, while others provided a way to enhance learning using digital technology (instead of old school paper and pencil). I saw presentations from writing papers and the cool add-ons that one can use to enhance their final product to flipping one’s classroom. I think that there are so many options for teachers, in terms of EdTech, and that we are in a digital boom, so to speak. I am committed to using much of what I’ve learned and to expand on that knowledge. Another thing that has been very apparent is the plethora of EdTech that is out there!! I am simply amazed at all that is available. I need to start with what I feel will truly benefit my students, and move on from there, so that I’m not overwhelmed. I do believe that we have provided our classmates with a good foundation of information from which to begin. 

In regard to my own classroom, I feel that I access digital technology more than I thought I did. I have reflected and realize that I do use a fair amount of tech in my classroom with my students. I tell them to ALWAYS bring their phones to my classroom, because we may access information this way. I also encourage my students to be active participants on my (and their other teachers’) Edmodo accounts and to sign up for my Remind, so they are able to access lessons on the website, should they be absent. I allow students to access Google for questions it they may have, after brainstorming first. I also show TeacherTube, appropriate YouTube and DiscoveryEd video clips when I feel that will provide a better delivery of information than simply reading about it or discussing it. I often use my SMART Board for putting up a notebook for taking notes, students are able to write answers on SMART Board, for my Bell Ringer daily, PowerPoint presentations, and other bits of information I want to share with my students. I have also been known to access Jeopardy games for test review using technology. I am trying to learn more and more and to use more technology in my classroom. One thing I am working on now is creating an answer sheet that can be graded using ZipGrade for an upcoming quiz. My PLC is on board with this, and will all try it on the same day. We will be able to quickly compare our data, record it and then see what misconceptions our students have, and where we need to reteach.

I will be asking students to use their own technology (or check out our set of iPads or Chromebook) to create projects as a group of two. I think that this would provide collaboration and innovation, as they are in charge of their own digital projects and must work together. I would LOVE to have my own set of iPads or Chromebook that stayed in my classroom, so my students could have access daily to this type of technology. Not all of my students have access to internet or to a device, so I have several that are left out when I speak of flipping my classroom (that will occur in a future unit of Genetics). Of course, these students are able to access computers in media center or I can see about checking out a laptop for my classroom, but it’s not the same as having access at home. However, we will do what we need so that ALL students have access.

I have learned so much in the five weeks we have been in our technology class! I believe that I am using a fair amount of technology in my class, and am only yearning to use more all of the time! One thing I really want is to have an Apple TV and a document camera in my classroom! I am planning on writing a grant for the document camera (for all 7^th grade science teachers), as I believe that this will positively impact the learning of all 7^th grade students. I was not as aware of this technology before, but have become very interested and feel that this is absolutely going to help all of my students. I feel the same about the Apple TV.

On a final note, I found something very helpful on ISTE. This site is called 21things3teachers (21t4t). There are literally 21 different aspects of EdTech. I suggest educators check out this website (along with ISTE) to have an understanding of what is expected of teachers and students in our digital age. These websites give you practical and helpful information about the digital age of teaching. The link for 21 things for teachers is: http://www.21things4students.net/

Have a great week and here’s to Fall Break!

Apps, Apps Everywhere Week 2

We saw more presentations in our EPS Cohort class last week on current Educational Technology. I am so amazed at the great technology that is available to teachers. My classmates/colleagues are doing a phenomenal job on sharing this incredible information with us all. I feel that I could absolutely use all of it, if only there was time! I fully plan on using much of the apps/websites in my classroom, as I believe they are a tool to enhance student learning. In fact, one app presentation prompted me to inquire about acquiring an Apple TV in my classroom. I am still waiting to hear the verdict on this, and am confident that it will be a possibility for me in the near future.  I decided to focus on the top 5 apps/websites that I felt I could use in my classroom, but all of the presentations were fabulous!

Google Docs Add-Ons: I had no idea that Google had so many ways to make writing that much simpler! Google Docs are already a great way to write and share papers/documents of all sorts with others.  One can now very easily create a bibliography (the program actually puts it into the correct formatting for you) with EasyBib. Highlighting is another very simple and helpful option. You can also insert charts into your docs using the Charts add on. Doctopus allows teachers to make a project for students, and also to track their progress. There are so many helpful add ons that could be incredibly useful for students.

Elements 4D and Anatomy 4D by DAQRI: I had mentioned about that I was very interested in getting an Apple TV, due to high interest in an app that was presented. Well, this was it! I love this stuff!! Elements 4D is a website and an app that you can get by printing out cubes from the website. You have to cut them out, tape them together and then you simply hold your smart phone over the cubes and instead of seeing the paper with the elements names, you actually see what the elements would look like. It is the coolest thing I have seen in a long time! The Anatomy 4D is the same idea, but with the human body. These are both great ideas to use in science classes. One has to be careful when doing the human body app, though. You might have students who get queasy at the thought or sight of blood, nerves, tissue, etc. I am definitely planning on using the Elements 4D this year, and throughout my Matter unit next year!

Press 4 Kids:  This is a website that provides daily news to students of all ages and interests at their own level of reading. One student can be reading at a higher level, while another needs to read at level a few levels lower, and both still get the same information. This is a great way to bring the joy of reading and learning to all students in a classroom. Students could research different topics on current events and then report to the class on what they learned. I think this is also a great way to get students to read newspapers (even it if is digital and not the original type of newspaper). This would be a great tool for all subjects and for all interactive way to get kids to love to read and learn about the world around them!

Q?rius by Smithsonian: This is a website where students can learn all about science from real scientists. Teachers can create activities for students to do, students can read current events science stories, watch webcasts with real scientists and watch videos made by scientists. Teachers can also create online field books. Students could do the same and each could add to their field books as they learned more about science related information. In a nutshell, Q?rius is great way for students to have access to real science unfolding in the world and to real scientists. This is a site that I will definitely be using in my classroom.

Reddit: We all know of the Reddit that is a type of social media that we would not use in the classroom…but wait. There is access to all things Teacher on Reddit which has information for teachers of all subjects and levels. Teachers share lesson plans, ideas that worked or didn’t work, how they made a lesson better, and pretty much all things teachers could use, and it’s all appropriate. There is a plethora of information here for educators, and maybe a way to think “outside the box”. I plan on checking out the Teacher sections of Reddit to see how I can find some interesting ideas for my lessons.

We have one more week of presentations, and I am looking forward to the other great ideas and information my fellow colleagues will be presenting. Stay tuned for our next round of Education Technology!