Journal 9

Page, L., Sheehan, T., & Worrell, C. (2012). How to do more with less: Lessons from online learning. Learning & Leading with Technology, 18-22. Retrieved from www.iste.org

This article addresses the increasing difficulty facing teachers of being able to teach larger numbers of students higher standards and broadening content, including technology, while at the same time the resources available to  teachers, specifically time and money, are continually being cut back. The authors of the article recommend modifying your teaching style to "blended instruction" or the "flipped classroom", both of which utilize technology in and out of the classroom, to maximize in class time for direct instruction, teacher-student, and student-student interactions. The purpose of blended instruction is to combine the best elements of face-to-face and digital instruction. Ways to create a blended classroom are using digital content, resources, and tools in class to aid and engage student learning in the classroom as well ensuring that learning continues at home by providing resources like self assessment tools, resources like slide shows, notes and videos that review content that was covered in class, collaborative forums where students can work together on projects, and synchronous chat for homework help that students can access via a class blog or website. The flipped classroom works by doing away with the traditional format of lecture and instruction during school hours, and loads of homework for students to do after school. Instead, the flipped classroom does away with homework to free up student time to watch podcasts or videos online of the teacher's lectures. This has the advantage of allowing students to pause to take notes or replay lectures until they understand the material; it's hard to rewind a real-life teacher! This is a great way to allow students to learn at their own pace. By asking students to review content at home, classroom time is freed up for group work, discussion, and labs. The teacher also has more time for one-on-one instruction to clarify any areas that a student did not understand from watching the lectures online. The goal of both styles--blended instruction and the flipped classroom--is free up class time for more direct instruction, maximize student-teacher interactions, facilitate student-student collaboration, and provide more individualized instruction.

Q1: Which digital teaching style would likely work best for me in my classroom?

A1: Because I intend to teach at the elementary level, I would likely use the blended instruction style over the flipped classroom. I think that the flipped classroom is a great model and would work very well for middle or high school, but I don't think it would be appropriate for elementary students. They would have to be pretty darn mature to have the self-discipline to go online every day and watch the content lectures. I think that the blended style would be more appropriate. Using digital content in the classroom would be a great way to get students' attention and increase learning retention. Also, it would be great to have online resources available to my students to aid in review and homework, but not necessarily have homework dependent on these resources.

Q2: What is one possible road block to my implementing a blended or flipped teaching style in my classroom, and what could I do to resolve the issue?

A2: One of the things that I could see getting in the way of being able to use a blended or flipped style in the classroom would be the diversity in socioeconomic status among students. Not every student will have access to a computer or the internet at home. Those students would be at a distinct disadvantage to their peers who are able to access the online resources and tools that I would provide. A way to resolve this issue would be to meet with parents to discuss our options. If possible, I would like to get parents to commit to taking their children to places where they can access a computer and the internet for free, like the public library, the family's church, a family friend, or a local after school program offered by the community center. Another way to address the issue would be to work with other members of the school to make sure that the school's computer lab is available before and after school for students to work in.