OverviewI learned that there were five major trends shaping distance learning according to Lyra Visser’s study. Those trends included:
While this research was conducted six years ago, I found it to be still relevant and applicable to distance learning today. After scrutinizing the trends a bit further, I felt especially drawn to the second trend, assessing learning achievement. I found this trend to have major implications and impact on student achievement. It stands to be a significant indicator of student success. Beyond the trends, I was able to gain some insight on the four blended learning models as named in “Blending Learning: The Evolution of Online and Face-to-Face Education from 2008-2015.” The four models were rotation, flex, A La Carte and enriched virtual model. (iNACOL, 2015) I paid particularly close to rotations as I felt that it fit my specific teaching circumstance and environment. Reading different case studies around the implementation of blended learning was especially worthwhile and useful. Examining cases that were either successful or ineffective as a result of implementing a blended learning model helped me to envision possible issues that could potentially manifest. This activity forced me to reflect and think more proactively on how to avoid issues I stumbled across during the case studies that deemed the blended learning implementation unsuccessful. What Stuck?I was especially inspired by the case study, Leading and Supporting Blended Learning: A Case Study of the Centre for Excellence For Learning and Teaching at Nanyang Technological University. This case study demonstrated an understanding of the importance of the social constructivist component of eLearning. They successfully integrated the concept into all four aspects of their blended learning initiatives. The different systems of blended learning used complemented and supported each other. This allowed the strategies to not only be sustainable, but give students a holistic learning experience. (Lin, 2017) This study will definitely impact my personal teaching practices for the better. I learned the value and potential impact of various strategies and initiatives. But a strategy I will immediately implement in my classroom is the use of clickers. As a result, my students will actively engage in critical thinking for assignments, classroom tasks and/or quizzes. It will allow them all to participate and for me to keep a running record of how my students are doing. I especially like the idea of polling a discussion question, having my students turn-and-talk to collaboratively work with peers, than answer the question individually with their clickers. I discovered during my research that clickers have the following benefits: Teachers…
Students...
On my first day of school at the building I currently work, I was handed a case full of clickers and all of its support materials. I remember thinking out loud, “Wow, this is a cool concept! I can’t wait to use this.” That was three years ago. I am ashamed to admit that I have not used this amazing resource at all. Prior to reading this case study, I admittedly allowed my ignorance of not knowing how to use the clickers to stop me from ever integrating them into my classroom instruction. Examining this case and the YouTube video on clickers has opened my eyes to all of the missed opportunities. The opportunities for my students to achieve even greater success and achievement with this technological tool that has always been at my disposal.
ReferencesClickers: Students and Teachers Speak. (2011, July 23). University of Colorado Boulder. Youtube. Retrieved from URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWdL9slEMxQ iNACOL. (2015). Blending Learning: The Evolution of Online and Face-to-Face Education from 2008-2015. Retrieved from URL: https://www.inacol.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/iNACOL_Blended-Learning-The-Evolution-of-Online-And-Face-to-Face-Education-from-2008-2015.pdf Lim, C. P.; Wang, L. (2017). Blended Learning for Quality Higher Education: Selected Case Studies on Implementation from Asia-Pacific. Retrieved from URL: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0024/002468/246851E.pdf Visser, L. (2012). Trends and Issues in Distance Education: International Perspectives. Charlotte, N.C.: Information Age Publishing.
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AuthorI, Syeita Rhey-Fisher, am an educator and lifelong learner pursuing new and innovative ways to perfect my craft. ArchivesCategories |