My personal perspective on embracing online and blended learning

Education is progressing, and online and blended learning have become important, reading Tomei’s book, I realized that online and blended learning are here to stay. Whether it’s fully online or a mix of in-person and virtual classes, the tools we use play an important role in making learning effective. From my own experience, I find two tools especially useful: Microsoft Teams and kahoot!. These tools help make learning more interactive and efficient, especially when teaching online or in a blended setting.

Why I chose Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a very good tool for online learning. It acts as a central hub where teachers and students can communicate, collaborate, and stay organized. Teachers can create different channels for different subjects or groups, making it easy for students to find what they need, share files, or join discussions. Teachers can use Teams to hold live classes, they can use Teams to track students’ progress, and parents can even plan an absence for their children by using Teams. Microsoft Teams integrates with other Microsoft tools like Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote, making it easy to create and share course materials. In a nutshell, Microsoft Teams makes online learning accessible and easier to use.

And why did I also choose Kahoot!?

I like Kahoot! because it is fun, it is game-based, and it makes learning more engaging. It uses quizzes to test students’ knowledge in a way that feels like a game. Students can play individually or in groups, answering questions to compete in real time.

This tool is great for reviewing lessons, checking understanding, or simply making learning more interactive. Kahoot! also gives immediate feedback, so students can see how well they’re doing. The Kahoot! tool helps to keep your students motivated and engaged, even in online classes where it can sometimes be harder to keep students interested. Microsoft Teams and Kahoot! can be used together; this video kind of lets you know how important these tools are and how you can use them together.

If I had to move from face-to-face teaching to an online or distance learning setup, there would be some big changes in;

 Communication; In a traditional classroom, I love how students can ask questions right away and jump into group discussions easily as this helps in creating an engaging atmosphere. On the other hand, in an online setting, communication is more structured. Students may need to send messages or wait for scheduled meetings to get their questions answered. That is where Microsoft Teams comes in handy; it allows students to reach out for help and receive feedback quickly, making the process easier. I also appreciate how we can use technology today to be able to bridge this gap and enhance communication in our learning journey.

  Engagement; In-person classes allow for more spontaneous conversations and activities. However online learning can sometimes feel isolated, but that’s where Kahoot! comes in. By making quizzes fun and interactive, it helps keep students engaged and excited about learning, even in a virtual environment.

  Flexibility and Access; Online learning allows students to learn from anywhere and anytime. Teams make it easy for teachers to upload lessons and resources, which students can access whenever they need. However, staying motivated in an online setting can be a challenge. So, to help keep students on track, Kahoot! can be used regularly to encourage active participation and check their knowledge.

  Technical Issues; One downside of online learning is that it depends on technology. Things like bad internet connections or technical problems can disrupt classes. But with Teams and Kahoot!, these issues are easier to manage. Both tools work well on most devices, and Teams offers support for troubleshooting, so students and teachers can handle problems quickly.

  Blended Learning A Combination of Both Worlds; In my opinion, the best approach is blended learning, which combines online lessons with in-person classes. This way, students can enjoy the flexibility of online learning while still benefiting from face-to-face interactions.

With Teams, students can access lessons from home, while Kahoot! can be used in person to make the class more fun and interactive. Blended learning uses the strengths of both online and in-person teaching, making it an ideal solution for many classrooms.

In summary, As education continues to progress, online and blended learning will become more important. Tools like Microsoft Teams and Kahoot! Help make online learning easier, more engaging, and more fun for both students and teachers. Whether classes are fully online or in a blended format, these tools can help create a dynamic and effective learning environment. This video made me agree more, or what do you think?