Think Big But Start Small: A Glimpse into Blended Learning

What is one thing you would change in your classes to enhance the student learning experience?
This BIG thinking or dreaming is powerful. I just watched this video from SpaceX about their recent successes with launch rockets returning back to the launch pad.  I was reminded of moonshot thinking.

For me, big thinking comes from a place of reflection, especially after those lessons that didn't go as planned. Have you ever had those days?

My Period 1 APHUG Students

My Period 1 APHUG Students

Here's an example of one of those days just the other day!
My students and I were recently learning about why people around the world have different standards of living.  Economic development, specifically the impact of weath, health, and access to knowledge on human lives, is one of the  major themes in our 10th grade AP Human Geography and World Cultures curriculum. Our Social Studies transfer goal of analyzing perspectives drives this section.  In the activity depicted in these images, each student posted their assigned country statistics, organized in order of their Human Development Index number. I prompted students to explore the data; observe, look for patterns, create hypotheses for global development. Long story short, my students did a good job.  Many of them did exactly what I asked them to do but, for some, the new activity was an act of confusion.  Some were still unsure what concepts such as Infant Mortality Rate or the Secondary Sector truly meant.  How could they compare numbers if they didn't grasp the vocabulary.  That's my bad. After reflecting, I took notes on my lesson plans for next time on how to make the experience better.

Think Big But Start Small
I pick up ideas from my colleagues all the time.  I work closely with Jen and Anthony. I'm constantly learning from these innovate teachers.  I learn from all of my MASH colleagues when I hear students describe what they're learning in class, see Twitter posts on #MASHteach and #MASDproud, or simply just catch up with someone at the infamous room 239 copier.  There's all of these ideas but so little time. Where do I begin and how do I fix this lesson for next time?  I decided to experiment and modify a differentiation technique that Sandy Bohrer implements with her ELA students which is blended learning. According to TeachThought, this technique is the "use of both face-to-face and eLearning approaches to deliver learning experiences (as opposed to direct instruction)."  In short, this graphic illustrates exactly what I was looking for. 

https://www.teachthought.com/learning/10-drivers-of-blended-learning-in-education/

I wanted to try something that allowed me to structure individual progress and especially work with struggling students. I observed Sandy during my planning period and discovered a method that works well with small or large classes, comprised with students from different ability levels.

Sandy's ELA Class: Station Rotation

Sandy's ELA Class: Station Rotation

I started small.  I examined three days worth of plans for one lesson. I then came up with several stations, including one that was a teacher-student conference. Each station included an activity that varied in process or product. I created groups ahead of time.

When I tried this in class the first time, I had to definitely make adjustments with activities. I also had to set student expectations for this learning environment.  I've learned to fail forward! The return on instruction was worth it.  I appreciate Sandy's dedication to her craft. This instructional approach allowed her to conference with each student in her class over the course of a few days. The relationships built in this process are instrumental to the success of her students.

This process reminds me of the importance of thinking big and starting small, while always thinking about what's best for your students.

Here's an additional blended learning resource that I was given by an educator from Dallastown School District. Check it out! 

I look forward to learning and sharing more about this technique.