6 Steps for Effective Blended Learning

Our educational system requires a different form of instruction than when I was in school.  One of the methods of instruction that had been a topic of conversations between staff, students, and parents is Blended learning instruction.  In order to have an effective blended learning environment, there are some areas that you need to address before you begin the process.  Always remember the goal behind instruction: student growth.  As a teacher, you try to use different methods of instruction to reach that main goal.  When it comes to blended instruction, follow the steps below to make the transitions and methods have the greatest impact for your students and parents:

1. Stop calling a "flipped" classroom, a "flipped" classroom
Sometimes the name of something can mean everything.  I'm sure every person working in marketing will tell you that.  Simply the way something is stated or what it is called can create the perception of it. I believe this is true with the flipped classroom.  

Why do we call it "flipped" anyway? I understand that in a flipped classroom the homework for the class period is done in class with the presence of the teacher while the instruction (whatever method is used, usually via videos) takes place after the normal class period.  Thus the term "flipped"; it flips the traditional classroom model of doing homework at home and instruction in the class during the school day.  Again, I get all that.

Classroom instruction needs to be more than though to be effective.  We need to offer differentiation and other forms of instruction to our students (which we will discuss below) to address all student learning styles.  What we need to do is blend our classes.  A flipped classroom is a form of blended learning.  Let's just stick with calling our classrooms "blended" classrooms because that is what we are doing, we are blending our instruction to meet all different learning styles.

2. Communication to the students and parents
Communicate to students and parents what type of instruction and methods will take place at the beginning of the school year.  Utilize your most effective means of communication with parents (emails, website, Remind, etc.) to get the message delivered.  Explain how the class instruction will work during the year.  Offer links and articles for your parents to read to become more knowledgeable on the methods.  Most importantly, explain why you will be using the instructional methods.  We are the experts, so we need to explain why this form of instructional will help our students grow.

3. Short videos
If you choose to create videos for a method of class instruction, make sure the videos are not longer than 8 minutes.  Short videos are important when it comes to holding the students' attention.  Create multiple videos and have them in a library of videos grouped accordingly for easy access.  Don't attempt to pack too much instruction into single videos.  Give students and parents clarity on what each video includes and what you want the students to take away from the video.  Utilize learning targets with the videos.

4. Workshops shared in class (direct instruction)
Break down your classes into mini-workshops.  Offer direct instruction in small segments to students who may not have comprehended material from the videos.  Offer students a different form of instruction that allows them to ask questions and maybe see the material in a different way.  Others in the class can continue to work at their own pace over the topic at hand.  Creating mini-workshops allows you to set up your classes in tiered environment where students can get the required assistance needed and also work at their own pace and personalize their learning.

5. Create peer-to-peer support system
A great method to use with a tiered classroom is a peer-to-peer support system.  Students who understand and comprehend the material can assist other students with the material.  Students are able to learn from each other; research illustrates that students comprehend more material when learned from classmates.  The peers instructors are able to stretch themselves by teaching and helping other students.  This allows the instructors to look at the material deeper and show them where others may be unclear.  It also provides a support system to the teacher who is offering mini-workshops and support to the other students in the class.

6. Use student created videos if possible
Create a project where students make videos over topics so the videos can be added to the video library.  Students could use the videos to demonstrate mastery to their teachers.  They could also use the videos to help students who miss class.  It feeds back to the peer-to-peer support system, students enjoy learning from each other and can relate to other students.  This will also help students with other classes as well.  They will learn how to use editing software or other movie making apps that will allow them to use videos they create to demonstrate mastery in other classes.

Blended learning methods are valuable in offering our students and parents another means of instruction.  Try to use some of the tips above to guide your classes towards the ultimate goal of student growth. 

Blended Learning & Rainbow Looms

If you don’t have children, you may not know what Rainbow Looms are.  Rainbow Looms allows people to take rubber bands and “clips” and create bracelets or other works of art.  A great deal of hand-eye coordination is used to make the designs using the Loom.  The bracelets and designs range from simple to very complex creations.  My daughter creates bracelets and different designs using her Loom everyday (with this weather we are having, I literally mean everyday!).  The more complex the design, the more difficult it is to create the design using the Loom.  My daughter uses videos from YouTube to learn how to create the more complex designs.  She searches for the videos herself, watches the videos and follows the instructions on the video to create the bracelets.  She has the ability to pause the video or rewind the video to watch challenging portions again.  When she hits a challenging design, she uses problem solving skills and different methods to figure out how to complete the project.  Users also have an additional resource by asking their parents, guardians, or family members about any concepts that are confusing.  Youngsters who are around eight to ten years of age create most of these video tutorials.   My daughter also creates videos and shares them with others.

The whole process sure does look like blended learning to me.  Children use devices to watch videos and create products.  Use multiple devices and collaborate with others to assist them with their products.  Search for videos so they can produce as an end product.   Use problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills to create bracelets.

Giving children the opportunity and challenge of learning on their own is an important part of student growth.  Can we make excuses on reasons why we should not offer blended learning to our students?  I’m sure someone could.  Why don’t we take the excuses away?  “Not everyone has an Internet connection at home.”   Let’s open the school on the weekends so students can access the school and have meetings with team members for different projects.  Open the school up during calamity days.  Create partnerships with businesses allowing students to use their facilities to work and collaborate.  “Kids aren’t responsible enough to do something like this.”  Let’s make them responsible.  Hold them accountable.  Expose them to the environment instead of sheltering them from the environment.

Let’s take a look at the positives that surround this type of learning:

• Students have the opportunity to learn on a variety of devices.  While 1:1 programs & BYOD programs are beneficial for incorporating different methods of learning, students having the ability to use a variety of resources help them for life beyond high school.
• Especially during this time of the year when it seems we have school about once or twice a week, blended learning allows our students to learn at any time.  
• Students can get “hooked” into this type of learning (as long as it is interesting).  I know my daughter is working on Looms all day long during calamity days.  When is the last time we’ve the opportunity to get kids “hooked” into education?    
• Students can collaborate with others in this environment.  Students who can collaborate with others are the most attractive potential employees for employers.
• Students learn responsibility, organization, and time management.  From creating their own schedules to using their time appropriately gives students the change to grow and prepare themselves for high education.

Let’s start making this happen for students.  Students can learn this way.  My daughter is 8 years old and learns new skills everyday.  If she can do it, why can’t elementary, middle school, and high school students?  We need to work together as educators to change our cultures and instructional methods to make this learning a reality for all of our students.  I better get rolling.  I have to go look on eBay for another laptop for my daughter’s video productions.