This block I have been researching the blended learning emerging trend. Teaching first grade I thought to myself, “How can I use blended learning in my classroom of 6 and 7 year olds?” Blended learning does not mean you completely toss out the face to face interaction you have with your students. There are many ways to implement blended learning into your classroom. Some of these ways are flipped classroom, stations, flex time, and a workshop model. Your students should have some control over their learning through blended learning.

The stations model has the students working through stations teacher led, student inquiry and using a technology program that would adapt to the student’s needs. Students spend about 35 minutes of the 120 minute Reading block rotating through their stations. My students love working on their adaptive learning program iReady during center time.

The flipped classroom model has students complete the instruction at home by watching a video of the lesson. This provides for time during the school day for small group instruction, centers, and group work.

The flex time model is for high school students. During this model teachers would designate one or two days throughout the week where blended learning would take place. Students would be given the opportunity to choose where they would like to learn during this time in their own library or the classroom where teachers would be present to support student’s individual learning.  

The last model that I learned about is the workshop model. During the workshop model, there is a mini lesson taught by the teacher. After the mini lesson, the teacher models that skill that was taught using a tablet explaining what the students will do. The students then work with a partner on the skill. This continues throughout the week and gives the students the time to practice the skill and the teacher time to conference with small groups or individuals on the progress of the skill that week.

Would you be willing to try one of these models of blended learning in your classroom? Do you see any complications with using these in your classroom? 

Blended Learning 1 

Blended Learning 2  

Watch it

References:

Blended Learning: Making it Work in Your Classroom. (2014, September 11). Retrieved February 6, 2016, from http://www.edutopia.org/practice/blended-learning-making-it-work-your-classroom

D'Orio, W., & Wojciechowski, M. (n.d.). The Right Blend. Retrieved February 6, 2016, from http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3758413 

T. (2015, February 18). What Blended Learning Looks Like in the Classroom. Retrieved February 7, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPvreKWaKjY