Blended Learning in a Technology Class
Introduction: How I stumbled into Blended Learning
These are the first two videos I made for my students. I had four LD kids in my CAD class that really wanted to do the same projects as everyone else and how could I say no. I struggled with this particular lesson with my gen ed kids so I knew it would a daunting task to have this group of kids draw this wheel. I knew from experience that the only way I could get these kids to draw this is if I sat next to them and drew with them click my click. This is the way I used to teach. Give the lesson to the class then spend a lot of time with the kids that struggled. I was prepared to do that way until I found out that I had my announced observation by non-other than the superintendent. I know that spending most of the class helping these four LD individuals while ignoring the rest wouldn't go over well. So I sat at my computer to decide if I should alter my plans and just teach something different that day. It was just then I noticed a new icon on my desktop. It was Camtasia a video capture and editing program that I had heard of but never used before. So why not, I will give it a try. It took me about 10 min to figure out the program and a couple more to record the video. I saved it and put it in the schools common folder as I didn't have a website at that time (The students have access to this folder). When it was time for my lesson with the Superintendent watching, I had the four LD kids watch the video for a couple of seconds, pause, follow the steps, then return to the video. While they were doing that I gave my lesson to the gen ed kids as I always have, lecture style. When I was done all four LD kids raised their hands. I thought to myself well that was a waist of time. As I approached their computers I was in shock, not only had they completed drawing the wheel but they did it right. Needless to say the observation went well.
What it is
What it isn't
So why should I spend my time doing this?
Well you shouldn't try this if you enjoy doing any of the following:
- Catching up a student who misses your class because of a band lesson.
- Repeating yourself to those who didn't pay attention the first time.
- Giving the lesson again to the kid(s) who just returned from the principal's office
- Starting your lesson over because the kid who was terribly ill in English is feeling much better for Tech returned from the Nurse's office late.
- Teaching the same lesson 30 times a day because of any of the above reasons
Alright so here are the real reasons for spending the time:
- You believe that the kids who can finish their project ahead of time should keep going and not be held back like a race engine with a restrictor plate.
- You think that it is important that the kids who missed the actual lesson have the ability to still see it
- You value your time working one on one with students
- You know that it is easier when you can pause the instruction at any given time
- You don't have repeat lessons a gazillion times before you retire.
What do you need to do create a blended learning program?
Something to watch it on
TV with a dvd player
Managing your class with Blended Learning
Blended learning allows you to teach several different lessons at the same time. This is perfect for technology classes as you no longer have to have a class set of tools or activities for each student. It is almost as if you turned into Michael Keayton in the 1996 movie Multiplicity. You can be teaching 20 or more different lessons at the same time, while giving one on one help to those who need additional help.
Example 1 Rotating Model (Units only)
Example 2 Rotating (Entire Course)
Example 3 Linear Model (Entire Course)
This is a big leap for an educator. Basically you are removing the restrictions that hold back a student. This is not advised for a new teacher. You must know your lessons inside and out as well as be prepared weeks in advance for every activity that the students will be working on. You must also have an administrator that backs you on this. Additionally you must have a plan for how you will report grades as well as give your local exams.In this model the accelerated students will cover more material. In my class the accelerated students dig deeper into Robotics Unit until the course is over.
Example 4 Hybrid Model (My Favorite)
This is the model that I ultimately ended up with. I was doing great until NYS threw a curve ball. The teacher evaluation system now has to have three local measurements that are used as 20% of the teachers evaluation. In other words all of my students had to be tested at the same time on the same material. This was a big problem for me as my kids were all going at there own pace and at different spots in the program. So that is when I came up with the Hybrid Model. This allows students to work on the major projects at their own pace and I still get to teach mini lessons. The mini lessons include the basic fundamentals of Technology Education (Problem Solving, renewable and non-renewable energy, Open and Closed-Loop systems, History of Technology, etc. These are lessons that are directly related to the NYS Technology Standards and what the students are tested on with the three local assessments.
This was a last minute video made with my cell phone to show you how I manage the class. Sorry this one isn't edited and it is a a bit shaky, so you may what to take some Dramamine.