Source: Image of light bulb, Public Domain, http://pixabay.com/en/the-light-bulb-light-bulb-lighting-349400/
Welcome to a tutorial on BYOD, one-on-one classroom environments, and flipped classrooms. In this tutorial we will discuss the questions, what are the three approaches to blended learning? As well as, how can you use each of the blended learning approaches in your classroom?
Let's start with a reminder of what blended learning is. Remember, it's that integration of technology with traditional face-to-face instructional activities within the classroom. Together these create a blended learning environment.
Let's talk about the three approaches to blended learning. The three approaches are one-on-one classrooms, BYOD, or bring your own device classrooms, and flipped classrooms. In this tutorial we will further discuss each of these learning approaches.
Let's start with BYOD classrooms. In the BYOD, or bring your own device classroom, devices, such as laptops, smartphones, iPods, or tablets, are brought from home. Sometimes these devices are used to supplement what is already available in class. Other times, these are the only devices that students have access to. This model is less expensive than one-on-one, which we'll talk about momentarily, and school-provided options.
Some things to note are considerable teacher planning is needed to align the objectives, while taking into consideration the inconsistent and wide range of devices that students bring in. Each student has a separate device, so the devices are not the same throughout your classroom. As well, the devices that are brought in from one particular student might vary from day to day. So this is something to think about when you're teaching and planning for your teaching. It's also important to note that for students who cannot provide devices, access and equity may become issues. So again-- an idea that needs to be thought through.
Next approach to blended learning is the one-on-one classroom. In this classroom one device is available per student. Sometimes these devices are provided by the school, and other times from parents. But these devices are for the student, and they're allowed to take these home. Project Red coined the term "Always on Learning," which is the idea that increased access to learning is important. And this is what these one-on-one classrooms strive to provide.
The fun is that, through the provision of these devices, students have increased access to their learning and resources whenever and wherever they need them-- so much more access than traditional learning in these environments. It's important to note that within the one-on-one approach, students are able to bring the device home. Classrooms where the devices do not go home with the students do not fit within the one-to-one approach.
The last approach to blended learning is the flipped classroom. Direct instruction moves from group to individual space within a flipped classroom. A dynamic, interactive learning environment is created where the educator is a guide or facilitator, and the activities are student-led and engaging.
According to the Flipped Learning Network, flipped learning is a pedagogical approach in which direct instruction moves from the group learning space to the individual learning space. And the resulting group space is transformed into a dynamic, interactive learning environment, where the educator guides students as they apply concepts and engage creatively in the subject matter. Flipped learning is a pedagogical approach. Material is sent home for the students to pre-learn, and then future classroom activities are centered around this learning.
So let's take a moment to reflect and apply these ideas. Which approach to blended learning have you experienced in your own educational experiences? Have you been a part of a one-on-one or BYOD classroom? Have you ever been exposed to a flipped classroom? What do you think the challenges of using each approach to blended learning might be?
Let's review what we learned today. In today's tutorial we discussed what are the three approaches to blended learning. Remember, those are one-on-one, BYOD, or bring your own device classrooms, and the flipped classroom. We also talked about how can you use each of these blended learning approaches in your classroom.
Thanks for joining me today as we discussed the approaches to blended learning. I hope you're able to use these ideas in your own classrooms.
For more information on how to apply what you've learned in this video, please see the Additional Resources section that accompanies this video presentation. The Additional Resources section includes hyperlinks useful for applications of all of this course material, including a brief description of each resource.
Top 10 Articles About Flipped Classrooms
In this post on the TalentLMS blog, John Laskaris overviews 10 articles focusing on flipped classrooms. The topics include implementation strategies, research, teacher perspective and student perspective. He has organized the articles by topic. Select the topic that you are most interested in to find specific strategies and related resources.
http://blog.talentlms.com/top-10-articles-flipped-classrooms/
Education Powered by Technology
This white paper outlines the National Education Technology Plans' model of learning powered by technology, with goals and recommendations in five essential areas: learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity. You are able to download the white paper in its entirety as well as watch a video of Secretary Duncan outlining the goals and recommendations.
http://tech.ed.gov/netp/
ConnectED
This site is a USDOE resource providing classroom videos to support the implementation of the National Education Technology Plan. Included on the site are useful planning tools for the models of blended learning. The video playlists are helpful in realizing the plan in action.
http://www.ed.gov/connected