My problem to be solved has to do with the process of transforming my classroom into a Blended Learning environment that not only meets the needs of all students, but also engages them while enhancing their learning. I am excited about this process and the final product, but the details in the "How" are a work in progress. I am looking forward to the input of my classmates as we progress through ECOMP 6106 and the sharing of ideas that will serve to help me accomplish my goals.
Last month, my school district received a grant to investigate how
blended learning could possibly work for us. There are about 40 teachers in the district taking part
in the Blended Learning Initiative and I am one of them. I am currently reading the book
Blended; Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools as part of the project. I am really
intrigued by this book, how it ties in with the competency-based grading system which is a already
in place in my district, and the potential impact that a blended learning environment will
have on our students. Over the course of the next six weeks, I plan to choose a learning
management system, I am leaning toward Schoology, that is best suited for helping me reach my goals, and then to start implementing
the Blended Learning model into my classroom. My problem is how to best reach this goal so that
it benefits my students and has the greatest positive impact on their learning and
comprehension. What will this look like? How can I be true to a competency-based system while
implementing a Blended Learning System? I feel that I need to find a creative way to meet all of my
goals so my students will thrive.
Congrats on your grant and move towards BL! Have you thought about observing some schools near you that have a system in place? Sometimes you don't have to reinvent the wheel of an already "well-oiled machine!" Use Twitter to reach out to educators all over the country using the #blendedlearning. You'll be so surprised at how many suggestions you get! That's one of the great things about Twitter that I love. I've truly found so many resources there. If all else fails, COME VISIT! Zeke is using Schoology with his school and LOVES IT. You could get a one-on-one tutorial of the ins and outs. Just a thought! xo BLH
ReplyDeleteHey Brandi,
ReplyDeleteI would love to speak with Zeke and observe him! I am under the impression that my school district is leading the way in our area with this initiative. I know we are one of only four schools approved by the Dept. of Ed to use PACE. We were the leaders in our state when it came to implementing a competency-based system. It is crazy how many initiatives have been supported on the backs of the teachers in my school district.
I am on Twitter now...thanks Susan! I am already finding wonderful resources there...who would have thought that was possible??? Anyway, I will certainly look for schools that have already made this happen and see what I can learn from them. Since I teach electives, finding digital content is difficult, and I could use whatever support I can find. There are also a ton of posts from teachers using Schoology to flip their classrooms and I have read some great suggestions so far.
You and I are reading the same book! Our tech integration specialist is really good at finding online tools and resources, and has promised to help find content as I work how to do this blended thing. I look forward to talking with you!
ReplyDeleteHi Ros,
ReplyDeleteI am so excited that you are also reading Blended! I love the book and have many pages marked with small Post-It notes. Michelle just joined the initiative too...with a little coaxing from me, so there will be at least three of us working on this.
We need to stay in touch even when this course ends so we can continue sharing our work!