Blended Learning: Strategies for Success

Colleen WorrellVirtual High School

www.goVHS.org

Today’s Presentation

Why blended learning? Who are we? What is blended learning? How do I create a successful blended

classroom? Show & Tell – blended learning initiatives Q&A

Why go blended?

Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammy0716/3005591006/

What are your

reasons?

Here are some we thought of…

“Best of both worlds" Creates effective, technology-rich learning

environments Flexibility – promotes differentiated learning Builds 21st-century competencies Student-centered Extends school day, classroom walls Engaging content & delivery Opportunities for authentic learning & assessment

Who are we?

Virtual High School is a non-profit, global consortium of nearly 700 member schools offering innovative online courses

Currently in 14th year of operation and 13th year of online course delivery

Originally funded by the Federal DOE through a 7.8M technology grant – five years of research & development

We reach students in 32 states...

and 40+ countries!

VHS Mission

to develop and deliver standards-based, student-centered online courses, to expand students’ educational opportunities and 21st century skills, and to offer professional development to teachers to expand the scope and depth of their instructional skills.

in student centered, cohort-based online courses

educational opportunities should not be limited by

barriers of time, space, or lack of qualified instructors

online teaching should supplement, not supplant,

traditional education that a collaborative model allows for sharing of resources

to improve the quality of education for all students in the schools, not just VHS students

VHS believes…

How Do I Get Started?

Strategies for Success

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/45699481@N04/4664596482/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Administrative Considerations

Funding

Timing

Technology

Organization

DeliveryPhoto credit: www.flickr.com/photos/14752079@N00/1718468702/

Strategies for Teachers

4 C’s of Blended Learning:

Contemplate

Customize

Communicate

Cultivate

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/langwitches/3557894144/

Start with thoughtful planningContemplate

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderlane/37531816/

Think about Design not Technology

Design should determine your use of technology, not the other way around

Focus on course goals & learning objectives

Plan ahead and start early

Blended Learning is a Process

Start small and build your

blended course one step at a time

Rely on student/peer

feedback and self-reflection to

constantly improve your course

Be flexible – learn as you go!

Customize

•Incorporate a variety of media and voices into your approach (e.g., text, video, podcasts, websites, discussion forums, wikis/blogs, journals, slideshows, etc.)

Diversify your approach

•Use Open Educational Resources to integrate quality content, create engaging learning experiences, and take students beyond the classroomMove beyond the

textbook

•Rethink how to measure student progress and mastery in a blended environment

Realign assessment

Communicate

Establish clear expectations,

directions, and lines of communication Use multiple modes

and voices (syllabus, announcements,

email, blog, podcasts, etc. )

Provide timely feedback as often as

possible to your students

Be present online: students need to know

you are there

Communicate

Cultivate

Collaboration & community for your students

Professional community of peers for yourself

Knowledge: seek opportunities to build upon your own content

knowledge and technical competencies

Photo credit social networking: http://www.flickr.com/photos/intersectionconsulting/4126503365/sizes/m/in/photostream/Photo credit stack of books :http://www.flickr.com/photos/katerha/5021019816/sizes/z/in/photostream/

NYCOOL (NYC Opportunities in Online Learning)

ICT literacy

At-risk students

Professional Development for teachers

Problem solving and critical thinking

2008-2009 and 2009-2010 academic years Students from 11 NYC high schools Student course entitled “Digital Literacy for a

Digital Age” Teachers enrolled in VHS PD courses to

improve skills with Web 2.0 tools and took skills back to other faculty

Student course delivered in conjunction with classroom teacher – combined mastery of ICT skills and classroom content

Sample Mixbook from Spanish I Class

Wiki on British Imperialism in Africa from an Honors Global History course

Blog from a Chemistry Class

Photostories & Videos

Social Bookmarking

Podcasts

Project ABLE (Achieving Blended Learning Environments)

Ten participating school districts

Targeted PD for grant teachers

Emphasis on 4 C’s

Train the trainer

Focus on using OERs

Two-year professional development grant initiative

Funded through MA DESE Promotes development of blended

classes in STEM Teachers trained in course

development and facilitation Professional Learning Communities

for ongoing support and mentoring

Professional Development Module from Project ABLE

Moodle site created by a Project ABLE teacher for a

blended Digital Photography

course

Schedule for F2F vs. online class meetings set by

school administration

Authentic assessment

Student blogs, wikis, forums

hhspress is a student run news site produced by Hopkinton High School students (Hopkinton, MA)

Professional Development at VHS

Six-week, cohort-based course

Rich facilitator-led discussions

Step-by-step development of a blended module

www.goVHS.org

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THIS SESSION!

Colleen Worrellcworrell@goVHS.org

Blended Learning: Strategies for Success

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