Regardless of the teaching method, there should always be a goal in mind. What are you trying to set out to accomplish? This could be academic, social, or even behavioural. The goal, however, needs to be measurable. I can recall from my university days that a learning outcome must be measurable (who, does what, under what conditions). “According to George T. Duran, Leaders can take their ideas a step further by defining them as SMART (specific, measurable, assignable, realistic, and time-related) objectives” (Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools pg. 101).
If I use blended learning in my classroom, how will I know if it is working? A measurable outcome will not only focus my lessons, but will help me decide if the lessons are worth repeating. Keeping the goals realistic is also a good idea. You want to make your goal achievable.
My first goal is to have student’s showing an increase in on-task behaviour. By collecting data before the new lessons are introduced will enable me to know whether. Generally speaking I have about 15-20% of my class not on task at any one time. Any increase to on-task behaviour would show success.
The second goal is academic. Students reading levels are very low. One third of my grade three class is reading at least one year below grade level. Students have not increased their reading levels one grade per year. Over a two month period of time I hope to show an increase of two months equivalent in grade levels.
There is great potential to show improvements. There is an opportunity for others to get involved. I will require a ”functional blended learning team” (Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools pg. 120) to help make the classroom level project happen. Since this is a classroom level project, much of the work will be done by the teacher. There is existing supports in place to enable changes to be made. For example, there is computer lab time available and two iPad mini carts that can be signed out. A Teacher Assistant is available without the day (unless an emergency calls her away). No money is required to set-up new equipment. Learning assistant teachers could be used to test reading levels if needed. In this case the teacher will act as the functional team all on his own. There is an “I” in team, that is, a ‘Funct-i-onal ‘Team. What is left to do is simple plan the lessons and to put blended learning into practice.
If I use blended learning in my classroom, how will I know if it is working? A measurable outcome will not only focus my lessons, but will help me decide if the lessons are worth repeating. Keeping the goals realistic is also a good idea. You want to make your goal achievable.
My first goal is to have student’s showing an increase in on-task behaviour. By collecting data before the new lessons are introduced will enable me to know whether. Generally speaking I have about 15-20% of my class not on task at any one time. Any increase to on-task behaviour would show success.
The second goal is academic. Students reading levels are very low. One third of my grade three class is reading at least one year below grade level. Students have not increased their reading levels one grade per year. Over a two month period of time I hope to show an increase of two months equivalent in grade levels.
There is great potential to show improvements. There is an opportunity for others to get involved. I will require a ”functional blended learning team” (Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools pg. 120) to help make the classroom level project happen. Since this is a classroom level project, much of the work will be done by the teacher. There is existing supports in place to enable changes to be made. For example, there is computer lab time available and two iPad mini carts that can be signed out. A Teacher Assistant is available without the day (unless an emergency calls her away). No money is required to set-up new equipment. Learning assistant teachers could be used to test reading levels if needed. In this case the teacher will act as the functional team all on his own. There is an “I” in team, that is, a ‘Funct-i-onal ‘Team. What is left to do is simple plan the lessons and to put blended learning into practice.