However, all the glitz and glamor of EdTech resources can sometimes result in shiny object syndrome and cause educators to lose sight of the need for a student/teacher interaction. To provide a true blended learning experience, teachers must focus on equally effective online and offline learning tools, demonstrations, and resources.
Blended Learning functions best with great offline activities
Hey, we get that educational technology offers higher student engagement, prescriptive digital data, and an overall fun and effective learning experience. But, it can also become an inadequate crutch when used as the sole learning tool.
Here's why: so much of todays digital resources look great, but only teach surface-level knowledge via skill-and-drill activities and interactions. Yes, the student will gain basic skills, but they are going to be missing the important stuff, including development of higher-order thinking skills and the pivotal mentoring relationship found between educators and students.
To avoid turning your EdTech into a crutch, deploy deep digital learning resources, content, and activities as a springboard, followed closely by correlating activities where students must utilize higher-order skills including collaboration, problem solving, analysis, etc. By building off the benefits listed at the beginning of this section (engagement, data, fun, etc.), the educator can scaffold the knowledge gained into deeper understanding and application.
Where can I find offline experiences that correlate with online activities?
Guess what? A lot of these so-called higher-order offline learning experiences already exist. Dont forget, teachers have been effectively educating offline since the beginning of time. The key is to utilize the cream-of-the-crop activities, lessons and ideas that best fit with your desired learning goals, standards, and needs while also offering deeper dives into the learned knowledge.
The good news is these learning activities are often already built into your existing curriculum. However, if you're seeking new digital learning content, we recommend looking into what/if correlated supplemental offline learning resources are also available.
Want to get started in finding the offline portion of your Blended Learning lessons? Check out these great links below: