There was a time in university where my procrastination hit an all-time high – where anything was better than writing essays. It was in this moment of hilarious irresponsibility that I discovered the “Will it Blend?” video series on YouTube.
I’m coming back to it now as I begin to think about how to confront the realities that: a) eLearning is becoming a legitimate alternative to the face-to-face classroom, and b) technology is allowing us to, in the words of Dr. Ruben Puentedura, create new educational tasks and opportunities that were “previously inconceivable”. How can I best leverage the power and benefits of technology and personalized learning in a face-to-face classroom?
There are surely benefits to face-to-face classrooms; the ability for a teacher to speak to a student and offer instant feedback or enrichment opportunities, to bring a class together into a learning community, etc.. While these are arguably possible in online forums as well, I do believe in the value-add that is possible in face-to-face learning. After a great conversation with Garth Nichols, I will be embarking on a journey to investigate the daunting challenges and the exciting opportunities inherent in blended learning.
I don’t really know at this point where it’s going to take me, or how it will end up influencing my classroom practices, but hey, if this guy can spend 5 years literally blending things… I can certainly afford to spend some time figuring out what kind of things I can blend… and what might be worth blending in the future.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAl28d6tbko[/youtube]
Aarron I agree with your assessment of face to face classrooms. How to use tech to improve engagement and authentic learning. Good luck on your action plan!
I loved the blending reference. There are times when I’ve wanted to try the same thing with the ‘Smart’board. #gonnaneedabiggerblender
Never underestimate the power of face-to-face learning! If this is coupled with the authentic technology use, Aaron, I am sure you will find a very relevant and effective model for blended learning.
Hi Aaron,
Great work, and I love this video! I think that something to keep in mind is that there are hundred and a million different videos that are of high quality that you can use – don’t think that you have to make your own videos. It is really about HOW you are going to use them.
For example, in my CHA3U class tomorrow, we are working through 3 videos using TEDEd resources. These resources are short (no more than 6mins) and they have MC and critical thinking questions already embedded in them. While students are blending this up, I will have an opportunity to review in small groups using the F2F pedagogy that we know and love so well.
On the SAMR scale, I think that this is in the Modification realm because technology is allowing me to modify the way that I am using the classroom. It is different than the text because these videos are more interactive and demand more from the students. Some may view it as Augmentation, but it is all in the way that we are #leveraging the technology, and the purpose that it is serving in the classroom.
Here is an example TEDed video: (it’s not the one that we are using, but it’s a good look at the possibilities) http://cairflorida.org/video/teded_video_a_3minute_guide_to_the_bill_of_rights__belinda_stutzman.html
The key to blended learning is that it allows students to move through at their own pace, and get F2F feedback and reinforcement as well.
Thanks for the thoughtful post,
garth.
Aaron,
We are really looking forward to your action plan post and the area of teaching and learning you would like to explore. Remember that before publishing your post be sure to add an action plan category and tag to your post.
Refresher How-To Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3QG8WcSPoU
Also
* Be sure to read at least one other blog and comment on it.
* Don’t Stress… Your Action Plan post can be in the form of a question, musings, or concrete task. It can be short, it can be long………it just has to be meaningful to YOU!
Justin