Introduction
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most popular blended learning strategies and give you some tips on how to implement them in your classroom.
When it comes to education, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why blended learning is such an effective approach – by combining online and offline elements. It can be tailored to meet the needs of any learner.
But with so many different blended learning strategies to choose from. How do you know which one is right for your students?
So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
What is blended learning?
In blended learning, students learn both online and offline. This approach can be used in a variety of ways, depending on the needs of the student and the resources available. For example, a student might take an online course on their own time and then come to class for face-to-face discussion and guidance from the instructor. Or, a student might take a traditional course with some online components, such as supplementary readings or videos.
Blended learning has become increasingly popular in recent years as technological advances have made it easier for instructors to create and deliver engaging online content. When done well, blended learning can provide students with more flexibility and control over their learning experience. It can also allow instructors to tailor content to meet the needs of individual students.
There are many different ways to blend learning, so it’s important to experiment and find what works best for you and your students. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are a few blended learning strategies to try:
1. Use technology to facilitate group work: In blended learning environments. Technology can be used to facilitate group work in a variety of ways. For example, you could use an online forum or chat room for students to discuss readings outside of class. Or, you could use a cloud-based collaboration tool like Google Docs or Dropbox Paper to allow students to work on projects together in real time.
2. Use video conferencing for synchronous instruction: If you have students who are unable
What are blended learning strategies?
Blended learning is an instructional strategy that combines face-to-face classroom instruction with online learning activities. It has become a popular choice for educators in recent years, as it allows them to customize their instruction to meet the needs of all learners.
There are a variety of blended learning strategies that educators can use, depending on their goals and the needs of their students. Some common strategies include:
1. Flipped Classroom: In a flipped classroom, students watch lectures or complete other assignments at home, then come to class ready to participate in hands-on activities or discussions. This allows educators to spend more time working with students one-on-one or in small groups.
2. Cooperative Learning: Cooperative learning involves students working together in small groups to complete tasks or projects. This strategy helps students learn from each other and build teamwork skills.
3. Individualized Instruction: Individualized instruction is a type of blended learning where each student works at his or her own pace, according to his or her own abilities and interests. This approach allows educators to differentiate their instruction to meet the needs of all learners.
Utilize goal setting.
When it comes to setting goals, it’s important to be realistic and achievable. If your goals are too lofty, you’re likely to become discouraged and give up. On the other hand, if your goals are too small, you may not see the benefits of accomplishing them.
A good way to set goals is to use the SMART method:
S – Specific: What do you want to accomplish? Be as specific as possible.
M – Measurable: How will you know when you’ve accomplished your goal? What metric will you use?
A – Achievable: Is your goal realistic? It should challenge you but still be attainable.
R – Relevant: Does your goal make sense for your blended learning program? Is it aligned with your overall objectives?
T – Time-bound: When do you want to achieve your goal? Set a deadline to keep yourself accountable.
Apply standards mastery mapping
When it comes to designing a blended learning experience, one of the most important things to consider is how you will map standards mastery. In other words, how will you ensure that students are mastering the content and skills they need to in order to meet grade-level expectations?
There are a few different ways that you can approach this. One option is to create a standards-based lesson plan template that includes a column for tracking student progress. This way, you can easily see which standards have been covered and which still need to be addressed.
Another option is to use a tool like LearningList to search for standards-aligned instructional materials. This can be a great way to find ready-made activities and assessments that will help you check for students’ understanding along the way.
Whichever approach you take, making sure that standards mastery is a key part of your planning process will help ensure that your blended learning experience is aligned with your goals and meeting students’ needs.
Provide pre- and post-testing with real-time feedback
Pre- and post-testing with real-time feedback is a great way to assess your students’ understanding of the material. By giving them a test before they begin the lesson, you can gauge their prior knowledge and adapt your instruction accordingly. Then, after they have completed the lesson, you can give them a post-test to see how much they have learned. Giving students feedback in real time helps them to understand where they need to improve and gives you an opportunity to address any misunderstandings immediately.
Introduce choice boards and menus
One of the advantages of blended learning is that it allows students to have more control over their learning. Choice boards and menus are one way to give students this control.
Choice boards are a type of graphic organizer that can be used to present different options for students to choose from. They can be used to provide options for activities, assignments, or even content areas. For example, a choice board for a social studies unit on Ancient Greece could have options for research projects, creative writing, or hands-on activities.
Menus are similar to choice boards, but they typically offer a narrower range of options. Menus can be used to provide different ways for students to approach a single task or assignment. For example, a menu for an essay assignment could offer different prompts to choose from, or different resources that could be used.
Both choice boards and menus can be used as part of an individualized learning plan. They can also be used in whole-class or small-group settings. When using either of these strategies, it is important to provide clear instructions and expectations for students.
Establish peer tutoring
Peer tutoring is an excellent way to provide students with targeted, individualized support. By pairing students up with peers who can help them with specific topics or skills, you can ensure that every student gets the attention they need.
There are a few things to keep in mind when setting up a peer tutoring program:
– Make sure to pair students of similar ability levels. This will help ensure that the tutor isn’t too far ahead or behind their tutee.
– Give clear instructions on what the tutor should do if their tutee is struggling. It’s important that tutors feel comfortable asking for help if they need it.
– Set up regular check-ins between the tutor and tutee. This will help ensure that the tutoring relationship is working well and that both parties are getting what they need out of it.
