Colleen WorrellVirtual High School
www.goVHS.org
Blended Learning: Strategies for Success
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.
Today’s Presentation
Why blended learning? Who are we? What is blended learning? How do I create a successful blended
classroom? Show & Tell – blended learning initiatives Q&A
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Why go blended?
Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammy0716/3005591006/
What are your
reasons?
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Here are some we thought of…
“Best of both worlds" Creates effective, technology-rich learning
environments Flexibility – promotes differentiated learning Builds 21st-century competencies Student-centered Extends school day, classroom walls Engaging content & delivery Opportunities for authentic learning & assessment
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.
Who are we?
Virtual High School is a non-profit, global consortium of nearly 700 member schools offering innovative online courses
Currently in 14th year of operation and 13th year of online course delivery
Originally funded by the Federal DOE through a 7.8M technology grant – five years of research & development
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.
We reach students in 32 states...
and 40+ countries!
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.
VHS Mission
to develop and deliver standards-based, student-centered online courses, to expand students’ educational opportunities and 21st century skills, and to offer professional development to teachers to expand the scope and depth of their instructional skills.
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.
in student centered, cohort-based online courses
educational opportunities should not be limited by
barriers of time, space, or lack of qualified instructors
online teaching should supplement, not supplant,
traditional education that a collaborative model allows for sharing of resources
to improve the quality of education for all students in the schools, not just VHS students
VHS believes…
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How Do I Get Started?
Strategies for Success
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Administrative Considerations
Funding
Timing
Technology
Organization
DeliveryPhoto credit: www.flickr.com/photos/14752079@N00/1718468702/
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Strategies for Teachers
4 C’s of Blended Learning:
Contemplate
Customize
Communicate
Cultivate
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© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.
Start with thoughtful planningContemplate
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderlane/37531816/
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Think about Design not Technology
Design should determine your use of technology, not the other way around
Focus on course goals & learning objectives
Plan ahead and start early
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Blended Learning is a Process
Start small and build your
blended course one step at a time
Rely on student/peer
feedback and self-reflection to
constantly improve your course
Be flexible – learn as you go!
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/abbot45/2539810093/sizes/z/in/photostream/
Customize
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•Incorporate a variety of media and voices into your approach (e.g., text, video, podcasts, websites, discussion forums, wikis/blogs, journals, slideshows, etc.)
Diversify your approach
•Use Open Educational Resources to integrate quality content, create engaging learning experiences, and take students beyond the classroomMove beyond the
textbook
•Rethink how to measure student progress and mastery in a blended environment
Realign assessment
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_virginia/2898490491/sizes/z/in/photostream
Communicate
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Establish clear expectations,
directions, and lines of communication Use multiple modes
and voices (syllabus, announcements,
email, blog, podcasts, etc. )
Provide timely feedback as often as
possible to your students
Be present online: students need to know
you are there
Communicate
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/globetrotter1937/2692008540/sizes/z/in/photostream/
Cultivate
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Collaboration & community for your students
Professional community of peers for yourself
Knowledge: seek opportunities to build upon your own content
knowledge and technical competencies
Photo credit social networking: http://www.flickr.com/photos/intersectionconsulting/4126503365/sizes/m/in/photostream/Photo credit stack of books :http://www.flickr.com/photos/katerha/5021019816/sizes/z/in/photostream/
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.Photo credit: http://breadofmany.blogspot.com/2010/08/show-tell-pseudo-adventures-in.html
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.
NYCOOL (NYC Opportunities in Online Learning)
ICT literacy
At-risk students
Professional Development for teachers
Problem solving and critical thinking
2008-2009 and 2009-2010 academic years Students from 11 NYC high schools Student course entitled “Digital Literacy for a
Digital Age” Teachers enrolled in VHS PD courses to
improve skills with Web 2.0 tools and took skills back to other faculty
Student course delivered in conjunction with classroom teacher – combined mastery of ICT skills and classroom content
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.http://nycool.wikispaces.com
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.
Sample Mixbook from Spanish I Class
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Wiki on British Imperialism in Africa from an Honors Global History course
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Blog from a Chemistry Class
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Photostories & Videos
Social Bookmarking
Podcasts
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Project ABLE (Achieving Blended Learning Environments)
Ten participating school districts
Targeted PD for grant teachers
Emphasis on 4 C’s
Train the trainer
Focus on using OERs
Two-year professional development grant initiative
Funded through MA DESE Promotes development of blended
classes in STEM Teachers trained in course
development and facilitation Professional Learning Communities
for ongoing support and mentoring
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.
Professional Development Module from Project ABLE
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Moodle site created by a Project ABLE teacher for a
blended Digital Photography
course
Schedule for F2F vs. online class meetings set by
school administration
Authentic assessment
Student blogs, wikis, forums
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hhspress is a student run news site produced by Hopkinton High School students (Hopkinton, MA)
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.Blog from blended Digital Photography course
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.
Professional Development at VHS
Six-week, cohort-based course
Rich facilitator-led discussions
Step-by-step development of a blended module
www.goVHS.org
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.Image credit: Filomena Scalise / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
© 2010 Virtual High School. All rights reserved.
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THIS SESSION!
Colleen [email protected]