Recently, I researched and completed an infographic on the emerging trend of redesigned learning spaces for blended learning classrooms. The inspiration behind this emerging trend came from my participation in BRINC professional development. BRINC is a consortium of school districts in Delaware that have banded together to strengthen technology integration within their schools and create blended learning environments for their students. At our first meeting, our superintendent Dr. Victoria Gehrt gave us an introduction about her expectations for not only technology integration but for also redesigning our learning spaces. Immediately, several teachers asked her to define what these learning spaces would look like and she admitted that there wasn't a lot of information out there on the best way to created a blended learning space. That piqued my interest as I began my research. I discovered that redesigned learning spaces were an emerging trend as identified by a 2015 NMC Horizon Report on Australian Tertiary Education. This information led me to choose redesigned learning spaces as my emerging technological trend in education.
Like my superintendent, I struggled to find information on what a fully functioning 21st century blended learning classroom actually looks like. However, I was able to find a lot of information on characteristics of these new and unique classrooms. One of the better sources I found also happened to be an infographic by Knewton titled: Blended Learning: A Disruptive Innovation. Below is my own infographic that details some of the information I found about the topic:
Bill Toley's quote about the classroom resembling a moldable piece of clay really stood out to me over the course of this infographic's creation (2014). In order to make this possible, a blended learning classroom must have a multitude of options and potential directions the students can take within their learning. Since each student has varying needs and ability levels, teachers must create different pathways towards success that challenge the highest achievers and meet the needs of the lower performing students. In order to make that possible, there has to be an online element to the course that can be accessed and used outside of school. In school, there must be a diversified workplace that breaks the classroom into functioning sections. Students who are on the same pathway can collaborate on activities and/or projects while others may work individually completing learning modules. Teachers and learning support coaches are free to help students who need remediation and one on one help (2015).
Other characteristics include the use and full integration of technology. This includes computers, smart boards, and televisions that can be used in conjunction with the assigned activities and projects. Bring your own device (BYOD), was also seen as a vital element in enhancing the student learning process, especially in schools that may lack full technology integration or a 1:1 setting. Any technology integration should be intertwined with problem based learning and real world projects to prepare students for college and career areas (2015). In conclusion, a blended learning environment creates a fluid classroom that is constantly evolving and meeting the needs of every student, no matter their stage of learning.
References:
(2015). Blended learning: A disruptive innovation. Knewton. Retrieved from https://www.knewton.com/infographics/blended-learning/.
(2015). NMC technology outlook: Australian tertiary education. Retrieved from http://cdn.nmc.org/media/2015-nmc-technology-outlook-australian-tertiary-education.pdf.
(2015). NMC technology outlook: higher education in Ireland. Retrieved from http://cdn.nmc.org/media/2015-nmc-technology-outlook-ireland-higher-ed.pdf.
Tolley, B. (2014). Creating successful blended learning classrooms. Education Week. Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/10/08/ctq_tolley_blended_learning.html.
Really good infographic! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you learned a lot from The BRINC professional development! I really liked how you presented your infographic as redesigning learning spaces, because that is exactly what you are doing when looking to transfer from a traditional classroom to a blended one. I also enjoyed reading about how it could possibly look because each teacher is going to design it differently. By combining the 6 characteristics and making them work for your students you will have successfully converted from traditional to blended. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing what you have been learning at your professional development. I think all teachers would benefit from some instruction on blended learning and how to begin the transition. It is ironic that we are supposed to be doing this but no one really knows what to expect. The fact that our learning spaces are like clay and forever changing to meet our students' needs is dead on. Thanks for sharing.
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