Welcome to #NoVAedchat! Please intro yourself and tag a friend who should join our conversation tonight! Bonus - include a GIF about your spring break!
I'm Abbey Miller, Resource Teacher at McNair ES! I'm looking for @SurfinginSecond & @Madein4th because I know they love Blended Learning too! Here's a gif showing what I did on Spring Break and the type of skiier I am... I might fall but manage to get back up again 😬 #novaedchat
A1 BL = providing instruction, using tech as a TOOL to give more students and ownership of their learning! Giving students more voice and choice in their path, place, time, and pace for a student-centered learning experience #novaedchat
A1: Blended Learning is a mix of tech integrated lessons in the classroom, as well as using flipped lessons to allow for Ss to dive deeper into the curriculum during class time. #novaedchat
A1: Blended Learning is the combination of in-person and online learning. The T and Ss interact both in person and online to understand the content. The Ss are given control over Path, Place, and Pace of what they are learning. #novaedchat
A1 Blending learning in person and online, providing personalization and choice for students in what and how they learn. Purposefully designing the instruction is so important! #NoVAedchat
Flipped lessons help Ss to dive deeper in to curriculum - and they help parents too!! I can only imagine how powerful it would be to learn along with a S as a parent! #novaedchat
A2: It is really important to always keep our learning objectives in mind. The lessons drive the technology, not the technology driving the lesson. #novaedchat
A2: When starting out with Blended Learning I always remind Ts to think big but start small. Allow the Ss to make mistakes and then guide them to make better decisions. Empower the Ss to take ownership of their learning. Oh and things will go wrong, so just go with it #novaedchat
A2 Planning for blended isn't any different than planning for anything else - Ts need to plan w/their Ss needs in mind, not to use tech for the sake of using tech. Ts need to plan for how the tech will support the Ss learning, while empowering the voice they have! #novaedchat
A2 What makes blended learning DIFFERENT however is how the design of the lesson is approached - substituting tech for paper doesn't do anything to improve learning or engagement #novaedchat
That is so true. As an instructional coach I always get Ts coming to me saying they want to use a new tool they learned. I ask them what is the objective and most of the time they don't know. It's a shift in thinking. #NoVAedchat
A2 Not sure that made any sense... Planning for blended is both like planning for any instruction.. but at the same time completely different because the tools enable us to use our time differently. #novaedchat
Q3 Share some strategies for managing your time (in and out of class) when preparing and leading learning in a blended learning environment.: #NoVAedChat
A3 Giving students time to experiment w/tech to make sure they understand what to do (or who to ask) was a lifesaver in 2nd - just like I would let students "play" w/math manipulatives before using them as a tool in Guided Math #novaedchat
That is so true. When working with Ts that want to do Blended Learning I always remind them that BL is not the magic wand. Though like Ron Weasley if used wrong it will go totally wrong.
A3: When managing your time in and out of the classroom remember to set boundaries otherwise you'll get burned out. Set up "office hours: when you'll be online for Ss or parents. I've had to move my cell phone to the kitchen at night. #novaedchat
A3: I started the year with projects that required specific tech. After a few tools were in the wheelhouse, kids could use whatever they wanted to show what they know. This saved me tons of time. #NoVAedchat
A3 Also giving Ss firm deadlines on when tasks need to be completed by, but giving them flexibility on when they complete assignments - as an adult sometimes it's hard to focus at work and I need quiet at home to complete tasks.. think how hard this is for Ss! #novaedchat
A3: One thing I always do is taking time to make sure everything works on the students’ accounts prior to the start of the lesson. I learned the hard way the first time I did a blended lesson and found sites were blocked on the student accounts. #novaedchat
This is SOOOO True. Ts need to realize this is where the kids live now and they will be ok. Though they will feed off of you. I don't know how many times Ts say they can't. I walk in and tell the Ss they can and they say ok and go at it. #NoVAedchat
I love this! We have to gradually release control and let students practice these time management skills before they need to do them for their jobs! #NoVAedchat
A3 Also giving Ss firm deadlines on when tasks need to be completed by, but giving them flexibility on when they complete assignments - as an adult sometimes it's hard to focus at work and I need quiet at home to complete tasks.. think how hard this is for Ss! #novaedchat
I read somewhere that tech in our classrooms is like a highlighter. It highlights the great things (trusting relationships, great classroom routines and culture) but also the things to improve (organization, planning, etc) #NoVAedchat
A4: @Flipgrid, @padlet, @DeckToys, @quizizz and #HyperDocs are all awesome tools that allow me to promote #studentvoice and choice in the classroom. Students are able to share their learning through a format that best fits their needs but also shows understanding. #novaedchat
A4 I think of teaching Ss how to use Google Classroom like they would keep their desk/backpack organized. Also, keeping visuals in the room of what assignment or task they should be completing. It's all about the organization and the FEEDBACK they get! #novaedchat
A4: I like to Use Google Classroom w/ Google Slides to create playlists. Though have noticed what I can do and what Ts can do are two different things. I hate online programs like Dreambox or IStation because it's just a program. Though might be a good transition #novaedchat
A1: Blended learning is a combination of the teacher leading instruction and the use of media such as online tools to aid in the learning process. #NoVAEdChat
A4 W/this question my mind immediately went to tech tools... But really, the most powerful tool in helping me create a blended environment with my students?? DUH! Visiting other Ts and classrooms! #novaedchat
A4 I like being able to see where different users are in Google Slides.
Camtasia is my go to for creating screen videos. Easy to zoom in, highlight or blur areas, edit audio, etc. Not free but very powerful. #NoVAedchat
@DeckToys unique 'Path' feature allows students to have a choice on the learning route that is fit to their learning curve and with @Flipgrid which promotes the importance of #studentvoice. Perfect combo of blended learning! #novaedchat
A4: @Flipgrid, @padlet, @DeckToys, @quizizz and #HyperDocs are all awesome tools that allow me to promote #studentvoice and choice in the classroom. Students are able to share their learning through a format that best fits their needs but also shows understanding. #novaedchat
A2: Slow and steady wins the race. Slowly incorporate blended learning. I have found if I dive head first then I get overwhelmed and stressed. If I do a little blended learning here and there in lessons the outcome is much better. #NoVAedChat
Q5: A common fear in a classroom with technology is that students will stare at screens all day. How do you ensure students collaborate, build relationships and communicate in a blended learning classroom? #NoVAedChat
Isn't it funny how our minds do that? Head right to a thought and skip over the really important ones! I think teammates that encourage me to think of new possibilities, books that present new ideas are important to me! #NoVAedchat
A5 This is a common misconception, that blended learning = silent students staring at screens all day! If anything it improved communication b/w Ss by allowing them to collaborate on projects and their learning! #novaedchat
Q5: A common fear in a classroom with technology is that students will stare at screens all day. How do you ensure students collaborate, build relationships and communicate in a blended learning classroom? #NoVAedChat
A5: In the language classroom, my Ss are always communicating and collaborating with each other. They have to trust each other and have relationships. I incorporate a lot of interactive games that don’t involve tech into class. Playing and having fun is needed. #novaedchat
(Jumping in late) A1: 1. A learning setting where the authenticity of the learning is enhanced through technology. 2. Setting where a blending of multiple #PoG skills are demonstrated, in part, with the use of educational technology. #NoVAedchat
A5: That's why I love the Station Rotation model of BL. As Elementary Ts it an easy transition. You have 3 or 4 rotations where the Ss work on skills you are Teaching. Some with Tech and some without. At least one station should be with Teacher to work on holes. #novaedchat
A5 Part 2: An easy solution might be to created a flipped video, explaining and showing how Ss interact with the T, S, and content in your classroom! #novaedchat
A5 I spent the day staring at a screen and had a super-productive day, I communicated and collaborated. A screen isn't automatically bad, and a classroom offers a good environment for jumping between screen and face to face. #NoVAedchat
A2: It is BLENDED learning, not e-learning. Use the tech when it is the best avenue to learning, use peer-to-peer conversations when that is best, and hands-on when that is most appropriate. #NoVAedchat
A5 Part2: I explain to parents that my class is 1:1 but that does not mean it is an online class or that we are always on devices. The learning goals drive my instruction and how I use the tools. Letting the parents experience what the Ss experience may also help. #novaedchat
A3: Know what it is you want to check for understanding, so you can be efficient moving around the room. Also, blended learning supports individualized learning - know who needs that 1:1, but also who needs more frequent check-ins. #novaedchat
Q3 Share some strategies for managing your time (in and out of class) when preparing and leading learning in a blended learning environment.: #NoVAedChat
Though the Teacher needs to be observant as well and not just expect the Ss to be able to handle it. Then jump to yelling at the Ss when they make a mistake. We wouldn't take a pencil away from a Student if they didn't know how to use it. We would teach them. #NoVAedchat
A4: HyperDocs via #GAFE , but I went through a progression. Started with Docs, then Sheets, now Slides. Have a feeling I am headed back to Docs though. #NoVAedchat (Also, finally got to use a Padlet in my classroom today. So cool!)
A6 1 tip: go visit another teacher, classroom, or school! Ts who utilize blended learning didn't "get lucky" to get a class who can "do" blended learning. They set up structures for their Ss, loosened the reigns gradually, jumped in, and got messy! #novaedchat
A5: Community has to be built before they even open a laptop. Collaboration and communication need to be happening daily both ON and OFF of Tech. #NoVAedchat
Q5: A common fear in a classroom with technology is that students will stare at screens all day. How do you ensure students collaborate, build relationships and communicate in a blended learning classroom? #NoVAedChat
A6: I would share with someone getting started that: 1. Things will go wrong, but that's ok. Don't panic and use it as a learning situation. 2. Don't forget to give the Ss feedback on how they did. Emphasis the good and not the bad. #novaedchat
Thanks for joining us! We'll see you back here next Wednesday at 8 for another #NoVAedchat! Don't forget to register for #edcampNoVA on 4/21 - meet your PLN in person! https://t.co/6xr6smf2M0
A6: No one ever said, “I am going to use technology because it works perfectly every time.” Be brave, know their are going to be learning opportunities for you too, and don’t be afraid to let the Ss know what you don’t know about Tech. #NoVAedchat
The issue I have right now is that the test scores aren't reflecting the benefits of BL. How do you help Ts and admin see the benefits when they are focused on the test scores? #novaedchat
