Reflection 1-1
How is Blended learning different from a technology-rich environment? Why does this difference matter? In other words, what danger is there, if any, in confusing the terms? Post your response below.
Reflection 2-1 Which pillar most resonates with you to mitigate one or more of these root causes? Why did you choose this pillar? How do you think implementing this pillar will address the identified problem/root causes?
Blended learning involves students learning in part through an online platform in a traditional school setting. Students are able to have some control over the time and place where there learning occurs. A main focus of a blended classroom is the students’ pace and path of learning. Students are able to receive more individualized instruction based on their needs. If students have already mastered a skill, they are able to move on to the next skill without having to wait for their peers to also master the skill . Instruction is data driven and transparent to the students. Students are able to see their data and reflect on what skills they need to spend more or less time on. Students also receive face to face instruction in small groups or one-on-one.
ReplyDeleteIn a technology rich environment, the learning model has not changed. Students are working in a more teacher centered environment rather than student centered. Technology is merely replacing traditional tools rather than delivering the instruction. Instead of using pencil and paper to take note, students might be taking digital notes; instead of using a whiteboard teachers might be using a smartboard. The main difference is the students ability to have control over the time, place, path, and pace of their learning. Instruction is not individualized and students are unable to cover content at their own pace. In a technology rich classroom, the instructional pace is still dictated by the teacher and pace of the class as a whole.
It says Unknown. This is McCurdy! :)
DeleteGreat response! Some key words/phrases I picked up on: some of the learning occurs online (freeing the teacher to do small group instruction), students have greater agency of their learning with some control over time, path, pace and place of learning. Access to and understanding of their personal data is another element that increases students agency by allowing them to understand where their strengths and areas of focus are and setting goals for improvement.
DeleteAs a side note, tech-rich environments can be very effective at engaging students and transforming learning experiences. They are typically using the same path and pace as you have stated.
Blended learning is a personalizing students education. Students are moving at their own pace. They are engaged and directing their own learning. BL is a transformation of the traditional teaching.
ReplyDeleteTechnology-rich environment is the same traditional learning model using technology to replace traditional tools.
Blended can definitely transform classroom instruction and put students at the center of their learning. Agency can be exhibited in several ways; Students having access to and understanding of their personal data and using it to set goals and improve in their areas of most need. As you state above, students may have the opportunity to adjust their pace (although they will need parameters within which they need to reach check points and goal setting can help with this). Tech-rich environments, can offer students transformative learning experiences through collaboration and authentic audience however, as you note, teachers are typically using the same model where students are doing the same thing at the same pace and the teacher is driving the time, place, path, pace.
DeleteTo me blended learning is personalized instruction through technology. The word "blended" in this case, means that there is teacher and student interaction through technology and in person, and the upside to blended learning is that the instruction is personalized and paced appropriately to the child's needs.
ReplyDeleteBlended learning differs from a technology rich environment, because with BL, there is collaboration and interaction that can happen between students and teachers online. A technology rich environment is similar, except BL instruction is tailored for a specific student and it's not generalized to the whole class.
Use of a blended model can definitely provide greater opportunities to personalize learning for students. That being said, personalization does not happen just because you use a blended model. For example, If you are using an online program such as istation or dreambox, students are accessing content that is individualized based on their needs and have some agency in their path and pace. Personalization occurs when students have choices of learning opportunities and the ability to choose how they demonstrate learning based on personal preferences and interests. A student who is interested in making videos may choose to create a stop action lego movie to demonstrate her understanding of kinetic vs. potential energy while another student may choose to write a tweet for the class twitter board. Tech-rich environments can also be very effective and engaging classrooms but as you state, they still typically still using a traditional format where students are all doing the same thing at the same pace.
DeleteI don't know why it says unknown, but it's Tina!
ReplyDeleteReflection 1-1
ReplyDeleteHow is Blended learning different from a technology-rich environment? Why does this difference matter? In other words, what danger is there, if any, in confusing the terms? Post your response below.
Blended learning is “a formal education program in which a student learns through: online learning, with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace. It is “a combination of one-on-one time with the teacher, peer group interactions, traditional teacher led lessons, tutoring and digital tools and content.” In this way students’ learning is personalized and more accessible. A technology-rich environment is using digital tools that match the academic content the teacher wants students to learn. In this model, students don’t have “the control of time, place, path, and/or pace”.
It matters because in B.L the teacher is using many tools that are specially designed to meet each student academic needs. So each student can be successful in their own learning
and to take your comment a step further, you can be incorporating many technology tools and tech-rich activities but still not moving the bar on student achievement. Certainly teachers see improved motivation and engagement in tech-rich environments but in a blended environment you are really leveraging the technology to effectively deliver differentiated instruction and gather data which can immediately inform your practice. Blended is not necessarily better than a tech rich environment (it all depends on the implementation) but you can definitely have a more traditional, teacher-centered model in a tech-rich class rather than a student-centered model.
DeleteA technology rich classroom relies on only on technology. A blended learning classroom takes the traditional classroom and teacher and "blends"it with technology. In the technology rich classroom the students may be working independently, but not doing the work at their own time, in their own space, and at their own pace. The blended learning approach allows the students to work alone, in a group, or with the teacher.
ReplyDeletePatti McCormick
A tech-rich class incorporates a lot of technology tools and processes but does not necessarily incorporate the use of data driven instruction or give students agency over path, pace, place. I have seen some amazing tech-rich classrooms but the activities are teacher driven and the students are all doing the same thing at the same time in a whole group setting.
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