Unfortunately, I have had much more success as a student than a teacher with online and blended learning thus far…
But in all seriousness, I feel that I would not be able to successfully carry out my day to day or meet the needs of my students without the effective implementation of blended learning strategies. Prior to reading about what constitutes blended learning, I did not realize that it existed in my classroom daily.
This graphic depicts the range of strategies that constitute blended learning. I think that many teachers do not actually realize the amount of blended learning they already include in their classroom.
The pandemic has also brought new challenges to teachers in delivering meaningful and effective instruction to their students. Online and blended learning has needed to be expanded or adopted by teachers across the province. It has also shown just had adaptive and resilient educators are in their planning and preparation. I don’t think that effective teaching that fosters the individual success of students can be done without the use of blended learning.
Through triumphs and trials, I have had many experiences with blended learning in a professional context.
Challenges of Blended Learning
-Students not having access to technology
-Technology advancing faster than teachers & students can adapt
-Websites/Links/Videos becoming obsolete
-Designing lessons with the proper or best blended design
-Being innovative
Opportunities of Blended Learning
-Synchronous and Asynchronous learning
-Allowed learning to persist through the challenges of the pandemic
-Used to help build classroom routines
-Increased student engagement
-Assessment opportunities
When returning to the “new normal”, I was resistant to the reliance on online and blended learning that was making its way into the classroom. Rather than changing for the benefit of my students, I was only holding out hope that I could return to the teaching practices I believed to be superior. I felt that there was a superiority of face-to-face learning as outlined by Bates in Chapter Ten his book. Since the start of my involvement in graduate studies and the opportunities and challenges brought on by the pandemic, I now have a new attitude towards online and blended learning.
One of they ways I have brought more blended learning into my classes is the use of Microsoft Teams. If you asked me about this program a year ago, I would tell you it was the worst thing to ever be mandated by the school division. Now, me and my students effectively use it to improve our communication. I can post my daily lesson plans so that students are able to see hat to expect for the class that day and check in on to catch up on work they have missed. I am also able to communicate with student regarding missing assignments, upcoming exams, and many more things.
I also found on line and blended learning a challenge as an educator. I have been able to experience many advantages of on line learning as a graduate student and in turn apply some of my learnings within my own classroom. I appreciate and agree with the points in your list of advantages and challenges of on line and blended learning.
As a parent, I definitely appreciated the teachers who were able to provide lessons and assignments on Google classroom so my children would not fall behind during a period of self-isolation.
Hi Beverly,
I know that many of our parents appreciated our use of Microsoft Teams to help make sure students had access to the classroom, even from home. It can be difficult for students to still feel a part of the classroom when they are away so often. Anything we can do to mitigate the difficulties students face in these times is well worth the extra effort on our part.
Scott
Hi Scott,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Microsoft Teams. I have only used the meeting function but haven’t really cared for it. I prefer the functionality of Zoom. However, your perspective made me want to check out its capabilities even more.
Kendra
It has definitely grown in functionality but does not compare to others after seeing the preview of a few LMS options on Wednesday.
Scott
Teaching Practices that were “Superior” – Interesting thought – I’ve always imagined if my ways aren’t changing and evolving with the needs of the classroom and society am I still an effective teacher that is providing the best opportunities for my students.
Scott, thanks for your honesty in your post! As I was reading, it felt like I was reading my experiences with blended/online learning. I feel, I like the idea of constructing online courses, but struggle to know where to start, or what is going to engage the students. I appreciated your insights into the challenges and opportunities that go along with blended learning.
Bret
Hey Bret, yeah I always think about having a nice, neat organized online classroom but seem to get overwhelmed in creating it. Over the past couple years I have also been a bit disheartened by students willingness to take responsibility to and access content online, instead, just waiting till they can ask me what to do when they miss classes. I think that solving my organizational problems will help to correct this.
Scott
Agree! Agree! Agree!
I have found teaching online much more challenging than being a student online! I quite enjoy the student portion of online learning and the flexibility that comes with it!
I was also so happy to hear that blended learning includes incorperating technology into our everyday classrooms! I feel better knowing I am not totally dropping the ball!
Right! It was nice to learn that I am already capable and incorporating blended learning into my classroom already. I am excited to work with some different LMS programs to see how I can better organize my classroom, both face to face and virtually.
Scott