#blendchat: First Chat Reflection

#edcampbos prompted me to lead a #blendchat last night at 8 EST to discuss blended learning.

What is a blended learning environment?  In the broadest sense, it is a learning environment that blends many techniques, tools and structures to promote optimal learning.

What did we discuss during the first chat?

We discussed what blended learning means to individual educators?  We shared our definitions, tools and links. We learned from each other about the many ways a blended learning environment can invigorate and optimize education. Our questions and rationale for blended learning were woven into the conversation.

The reason I offered to lead this chat is that I want to learn more about blended learning.  I want to study this teaching method because I believe it holds great promise for student engagement, empowerment and learning.

The first #blendchat was a great success.  You can read the discussion on my Storify page.
Please join us on Sunday, June 3 at 8 EST for the next chat when we'll discuss communication, assessment and the details associated with blended learning environments. #blendchat will be a first Sunday of the month chat.

Thanks to all the educators who participated in the discussion last night.  I know I left the discussion with new ideas, articles to read and tools to use.

#blendchat: Join Us!

Last Saturday, we discussed the blended classroom at #edcampbos. The blended classroom integrates many tools to foster optimal student learning.  Many educators gathered at a large table on the tenth floor of the NERD Center in Boston to discuss this concept.


As promised, I will lead a blended classroom Twitter chat the first Sunday of the month at 8 p.m. EST. I welcome all to join me for our first chat this Sunday, May 6 at #blendclass. Our first chat will be broad and center on the questions, definitions and practices we have related to blended learning. Next month, the chat will focus on a specific topic or questions that seems to be a main discussion point in this week's chat.


At #edcampbos we first defined the “blended classroom.” Definitions varied. This is a list of many of the definitions:

• diversity
• tech enabled learning.
• helping students find the best ways to access, understand and present learning.
• augmenting classroom with online learning.
• greatest variety of tools to take information in, show learning and create.
• access to course information anytime, anywhere 24-7.
• project able.
• combining online and face to face.
• computers and tech to support learning.
• tech and learning at home and school.
• cultivates 21st c learner.
• engages students.
• student focused.
• connecting students to experts.
• virtual learning blend with physical school.
• quintessential environment.
• deepening connection with students and others.
• differentiating
• meeting all needs.
• mirrors cognition, brain-friendly.

The blended classroom is not the “sit at your seat and let the teacher lead” classroom of old.  It’s a dynamic, multi-tool, student-centered, passion-driven learning environment.

Books recommended to strengthen blended classroom endeavor included:
Brain Rules
Mindset
Memory and Cognition



Educators shared many tools that support blended learning in their classrooms including:

• Social networks such as NING and Edmodo.
• Video: students are able to watch videos repeatedly, and in their own space and time.
• Online books: images, definitions, voice.
• Socrative: a check-in system.
• Kid-blog.
• Reading groups across classes.
• Twitter: #commentsforkids, great hashtag for sharing kids’ comments and eliciting response.
• Moodle
• Skype play and Skype educate
• Balabolka - free text reader.
• UDL: Universal Design for Learning
• QR Codes
• iPads
• websites and Wikis for research.
• Apple tool voice.
• Expeditionary Schools.
• Content focus for 5 ½ weeks rather than whole semester.
• Mixed level, interdisciplinary, project base learning.
• Google aps

The discussion demonstrated that the blended classroom is becoming a popular and productive education strategy and practice--one that engages and empowers students.


Please add comments that further the information related to the definition and practice of blended learning, and please join us Sunday night at 8 pm EST for our first #blendchat.

A Glimpse of Team 15

Partners Creating

The Daily Schedule: Lots of Workshop Time Today

Sometimes It's Best to Work by Yourself

The Rug Area is the Popular Spot for Working Together

Finding A Cozy Nook is Nice

Don't Hesitate!

Last night I participated in the #leadfromwithin chat.  That chat always pushes my thinking. The discussion centered on "mental models."  It took me a while to wrap my brain around the concept--I wanted to have a visual image, but basically, as I understand it, your mental model is the neural pathways created by life's experiences, biology and other factors that affect (effect?) your decision making and activity.

Awareness of one's mental model allows you to move forward rather than remain static.  I was struck by the many comments that suggested ways to vitalize and energize one's mental model, essentially the ways to embrace life. I also found myself thinking about the "mental models" of students who succeed versus those that are reluctant, challenged students.

Essentially, the chat let me to the recognize that it is great to risk, try new endeavors and explore the rich possibilities life offers.  Hence, don't hesitate to try something new to advance your knowledge, career and experiences.  It might be a bit frightening at first, but you'll reap the benefits of a vibrant, able attitude towards change and growth, and paths you may never imagined you'd travel.

With summer around the corner, it might be a good idea to set aside a few days to risk, explore and try something new--a summer activity that has the potential to revitalize teaching and the schools we work in.  What will you choose?

Patience

It's clearly that time of the year when teachers are very busy.  We're preparing for tests, facilitating project base learning and completing tasks to ready our program and classes for next year.

Not surprisingly, the scheduling sometimes becomes tangled--too many things to do and little time to do them all.  It's that time of year when patience plays an important role. Patience with others, and patience with yourself too.

Again, keeping students center stage matters.  First, attend to their needs even if it means putting some of the planning and paperwork on hold.  Next, put energy into organizing the classroom materials while the weather is still cool--those hot days at the end of June with no air conditioning makes that job twice as long.  Finally, when those pockets of high-energy hit, spend some time prepping the documents, orders and plans for next year.

You're not alone if you're feeling the push at this time of year, and patience is the key ingredient to doing it all and doing it well.