Introduction
This webquest is designed to help particpants review the information provided to them during the workshop about Blended Learning.
Participants will compare the various models of the Blended Learning to determine the model they intend to implement. They will then draft a plan for implementing Blended Learning in their individual classrooms or at the school/district level.
Task
Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
- Identifty the Blended Learning model they will be implementing and list reason(s) for selecting this model as well as existing and needed resources for implentation.
- Determine the technical and pedagogical skills needed to teach the online portion of class.
- Determine where their class falls on the continuum of technology use/intergration.
- Draft a preliminary plan for implmenting Blended Learning.
Activities:
The above objectives will be accomplished through the following processes:
- Read an article and watch a video about basics of Blended Learning. Answer the questions that follow to meet objective 1.
- Take an online technical and pedagogical skills survey to meet objective 2.
- Read two articles about the degree of technology integration in the classroom and examine the continuum of technology use (image) and respond to the questions at the end of the second article to meet objective 3.
- Watch a video about implementation of Blended Learnig and examine Blended Learning implementation checklist as a guide to create a premiliary plan for implementation.
Process
1. Read What is Blended Learning and watch the following video about the basics of Blended Learning. Then complete the questions that follow.
Which Blended Learning model are you planning on implementing. Explain:
- Why you selected this model.
- What resources (technology, additional teachers, etc.) you will need.
- Discuss if you will be implenting this at classroom, school or district level.
2. In order to implment an effective Blended Learning model, you will need certain technical and pedagogical skills. Take the surveys below to determine what skills you already have and what skills you still need. Include these later on the implmentation plan.
Technical Skills
Pedagogical Skills
3. Examine the image of level of technology use below. Next read the articles Some Examples of Blended Courses and The Continuum of Technology-Based Learning. Answer the questions posed at the end of the second article. Include these answers in your implementation plan.
Image: https://keithtylersmith.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/elearning-continuum.gif
4. Examine the Blended Learning Implementation checklist and then watch the following video. Next draft a plan for implmentating Blended Learning using the criteria listed after the video:
Now, you are ready to draft a plan for implementation. Make sure you include the following in your plan:
- The model of Blended Learning you have selected; the reasons for this selection and resources needed (i.e technology software, hardware, training, etc).
- Four action items from the checklist or four implementation steps that match the model of blended learning you want to implement.
- Technical and pedagogical skills needed.
- Where your classroom falls on the contiuum of technology use and where you are planning to take it.
- Any additional considerations for your specific situation and list of all sources you use in MLA or APA format.
Share the plan with the facilitator at the end of the worksession.
Evaluation
The draft of the implementation plan will be evaluated using the following rubric. Feedback will provided to participants to guide them further in their implementation.
Conclusion
This workshop has been a very brief introduction to Blended Learning and by no means does it cover this topic in its entirety. It is hoped that participanst continue their resreach individually and in partnership with other educators in order to find the best fit for their classrooms and/or district.
Suggested further topics to consider:
- Increasing student engagment in blended classroom;
- Effective group and discussion board management;
- Using Blended Learning to provide differentiation;
- Assessing students in a blended classroom.
Credits
Articles:
What is Blended Learning
“What Is Blended Learning?” Blended Learning Toolkit, 12 Mar. 2015,
blended.online.ucf.edu/about/what-is-blended-learning/.
Some Examples of Blended Courses
“Some Examples of Blended Courses.” Centre for Teaching Excellence, 12 Oct. 2016,
uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/resources/blended-learning/some-examples-blended
courses.
The continuum of technology-based learning
A.W., et al. “ The Continuum of Technology-Based Learning.” Teaching in a Digital Age, Tony Bates
Associates Ltd, 5 Apr. 2015, opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/chapter/10-2-the-continuum-of-
technology-based-learning/.
Videos:
Basics of Blended Learning
Education Elements. “Basics of Blended Learning". YouTube , 24 Sept. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xMqJmMcME0.
Blended Learning Implementation Guide
Digital LearningNow. “Blended Learning Implementation Guide.” YouTube, YouTube, 6 Nov. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=pENW-RtPEIw.
Surveys:
Pedagogical Readiness Self-Assessment
“Pedagogical Readiness Self-Assessment.” PCC Online - Faculty Resources, 18 Oct. 2012,
online.pasadena.edu/faculty/teachonline/gettingstarted/whats-different-about-teaching-online/what-
skills-do-i-need-to-teach-distance-education-courses/online-pedagogical-readiness-self-assessment/.
Technical Readiness Self-Assessment
“Technical Readiness Self-Assessment.” PCC Online - Faculty Resources, 18 Oct. 2012,
online.pasadena.edu/faculty/teachonline/gettingstarted/whats-different-about-teaching-online/what-
skills-do-i-need-to-teach-distance-education-courses/online-pedagogical-readiness-self-assessment/.