We are thrilled to have an #edchat summary post from Vytheeshwaran Vedagiri (@eshwaranv) from India this week. As you will see from his bio below he is an experienced educator both on and offline! He is also a very familiar ‘voice’ to us all at edchat. The discussion on Blended Learning last week was a vibrant one with many ideas and suggestions being offered. I think you will agree that Vytheeshwaran’s post captures all that buzz!
As we make gentle giant strides in improving the learning experience for our students, we can only consider ourselves fortunate to have stumbled upon the concept of blended learning. Blended learning is the deployment of online tools in teacher led classrooms to enhance the learning experience for the students. In this edition of #edchat, we discussed the possibilities, positives, and negatives of blended learning at the secondary level.
Here are some of the main themes from the discussion:
Blended learning is an important method of establishing a human connection with your learners, the virtual way.
Blended learning gives access to multiple sources, taps on multiple intelligences and promotes effective differentiation in the classroom. It has the potential to engage all learners in the session.
It gives the students a collaborative environment with an individual experience and takes them beyond the classroom walls.
Careful planning is required to design, organize, and conduct a blended learning session.
Delivering a good or bad blended learning session rests in the hands of the teacher.
Negatives of blended learning range from the imbalance in the virtual : real ratio (tipping towards the virtual) in the classroom at one end and technophobia of the teachers at the other.
It is essential to train the teachers on blended learning and demonstrate the concept to the parents. Transparency is a key factor in promoting blended learning.
Here is a selection of some of the comments:
With such a vibrant discussion, it’s almost impossible to do it justice in a summary, but I’ve picked out some of the comments that caught my eye.
@birklearns: Pro: Blended learning allows students to individualize their ed. experience and have flex timetable #edchat @stumpteacher: One huge positive to blended learning is access to multiple sources #edchat @tomwhitby: Blended learning enables learning exploration of a topic far beyond what a teacher is limited to in a classroom. #Edchat @stumpteacher: Negative? Kids without access or support for blended/flipped learning at home? #edchat @carneysandoe: ppl learn differently. Blended Learning attempts 2 ensure that the curriculum messages R delivered in a variety of ways #edchat @isteconnects: I’m all for blended, but wary of going too far in the virtual direction. It’s usually cheaper & attractive to admins #edchat @stumpteacher: I see a huge positive of blended learning is it has higher potential for differentiation. Find whats fits for learner. #edchat @MertonTech: #edchat Blended learning allows for more one-on-one time with each student. @eshwaranv: @asalyards Allowing the teacher to “design” their class and reflect on their sessions should do a great deal. #edchat @tomwhitby: Blended Learning requires media literacy,internet access,different approach to teaching.Many are not yet prepared. #edchat @CoachB0066: Yes, we mentioned the role of parents. There should be workshops for them to show how it works #edchat @jrichardson30: Blended is a great way for students to learn time mangmt skills & responsibility since they have to take active role in learning #edchat @ShellTerrell: Blended learning allows the possibilities of having students collaborate with peers worldwide #Edchat @karimderrick: For blended learning to be effective do we not also need blended assessment? And what does that look like? #edchat @tomwhitby: Blended learning will never be for a majority unless we begin to teach tchrs using this method. Tchrs need to be better learners. #Edchat @CTuckerEnglish: Blended learning is a flex model & can be adapted by indiv teacher to best meet needs of course. #edchat @eshwaranv: @ayatawel @isteconnects Blended learning must be used for the sake of learners and not for the sake of technology. #edchat @cybraryman1: Once teachers & administrators see the practical uses of tech in education many change their tune #edchat @tomschimmer: Keep the pendulum from swinging all the way over…we’re talking “blended learning” not “replacement learning” #edchat @cybraryman1: Do not neglect the technology expertise of the students you work with. Use their skills #edchat
@isteconnects: Blending learning should be choice, but f2f must be available. See Florida schools debacle http://huff.to/dVRUY3
@WiscPrincipal: Coffee Shop Dilemma via @baldy7 http://bit.ly/fbHQES Do schools offer a space for blended learning, or does Starbucks do it better? #edchat
Excerpt from BLended Learning Book- Chapter 6 Creating and Maintaining a Safe Space Online http://t.co/oIdQtSH #edchat
@juandoming: Check this video out — Cap 5. La Familia Digital http://t.co/6z9TjTR vÃa @youtube #elearning #web20 #socialmedia #edchat #edtech
@jonbergmann: @bknrd5974 You might want to come to the Flipped Conf: http://bit.ly/htFIAQ #edchat
@stumpteacher: Be wary of the “silver bullet” in education. http://bit.ly/i19dPW #edchat
@stumpteacher: @davidwees Yes, choice has to be there. #edchat http://bit.ly/f4cdg3 <–this is my version of choice in my class
@web20education: Tool for Online and Offline Language Learning is a interesting #socrates EU project http://www.toolproject.eu/ #edchat
algotruneman: @tomwhitby Tech and learning. If it is any help to you, feel free: http://bit.ly/eVqIoz #edchat
This is Vytheeshwaran Vedagiri from Chennai, India, I’m a virtual/real science teacher, teaching students from India, US and the UK. I am also into e-learning as a subject matter expert and an instructional designer. I am looking to specialize in educational methodologies to interlace learning strategies with technology and create an ideal learning environment for learners of all ages.
New to Edchat?
If you have never participated in an #Edchat discussion, these take place twice a day every Tuesday on Twitter. Over 1,000 educators participate in this discussion by just adding #edchat to their tweets. For tips on participating in the discussion, please check out these posts!
Thank you to Scott Akerson @mra47 for this week’s summary. Blended learning is a popular topic on #edchat. A great edchatter and dedicated educator, Scott had managed to get to the heart of the topic and produced a wonderful summary for us. See Scott’s bio at the end of the post. Thank you Scott!
With all the technology advancements that have come about in the last 2, 5, 10 years, how can education use start to blend face to face and online learning? The business world incorporates video conferencing why shouldn’t schools? Not 100% of the school day online, (not yet), but why not a mix? Mixing online and face to face classes can have both benefits and drawbacks. Students can participate in classes at times and in ways they normally couldn’t. (i.e sickness, lack of course offering) Many barriers will come about in the debate. It will scare teachers initially. Lesson plans will need to change, there will be some surrender of control of the classroom. Are schools and parents ready for teachers not to be source of information, but merely the coach and mentor for the students as they find the information? Is there enough professional development to make all invested parties comfortable with this model? What about access to the internet? the #edchat this week discusses these and other issues in an awesome session.
Here are some of the main themes from the discussion:
Blended learning can expand the course offerings of smaller schools.
Blended learning can help with some “away from school” issues like absenteeism, snow days, etc.
Blended learning will force change in teaching methodology
Does blended learning have to mean “at home”? Why not offer more options at schools?
What about access to the internet?
Here is a selection of some of the comments:
With such a vibrant discussion, it’s almost impossible to do it justice in a summary, but I’ve picked out some of the comments that caught my eye.
@madzia13 The movement towards 21st-century learning in education is actually inevitable, it is just the way society and businesses are moving. #edchat
@davidwees The biggest issue I’ve seen with it so far is that the gov’t is using it as a way of removing class size limits. #edchat
@shellterrell Blended options ensure that learning takes place beyond the classroom walls #Edchat
@RGriffithJR If we are trying to develop students who are always learning, blending becomes even more important #edchat
@ tomwhitby Online teaching may be lessexpnsive form of education
@ srdouggreeen Students who “fail” can keep going online until they make the grade. #edchat
@cybraryman Learning should take place not only in the classroom but on a global level. We have the tools so we should employ them #edchat
@ericjuli Successful blended learning requires a shift away from content as learning goal towards content as vehicle for learning skills. #edchat
@21stprincipal How can a school leader advocate global learning while insisting on traditional classrooms and learning? #edchat
@ericjuli Am all for blended model-but lots of clarity around purpose, outcomes, resources, feedback etc to be established #edchat
@gellesastar Blended learning is not about online learning per se. It’s about using technology to facilitate the blended learning. #edchat
@rgallwitz More clicks less bricks! #edchat
@azjd RT @tomwhitby: Not requiring students 2 B in school everyday from 7ish 2 3ish will nevr B accepted by R schedule-dependent culture. #Edchat
@tomwhitby worksheets online are still worksheets
@RGriffithJR The biggest attitude that needs to be changed is the attitude of disillusionment! No model will B a perfect fit for all,all the time #edchat
@21stprincipal: School leaders also need to learn how to use online learning tools. #edchat – agree! get them into the environment!
@weisburghm as we move more online, doesn’t the teacher become more of a coach, mentor, and facilitator than sage? #edchat
@cbell619: Most adults are bad at collaborating online; we need to explicitly develop this skill & can/should do this online w/kids #edchat
@ShellTerrell If every school had a team to solve access issue in their school then access wouldn’t be a problem #edchat
RT @comPOSITIONblog: @rgallwitz @web20classroom #edchat Money. If students are poverty-stricken, chances are food is more important than internet literacy
@bruno_cesar82: With blended teaching there are more roles in a class than just teacher – student #edchat
I would ask that the following question is added to the poll next week:
How can educators get parents on board with the shift in methodology of teaching?
Scott Akerson has taught MS social studies and other various subjects for 11 years. All this technology explosion has reenergized him to a new level of love for teaching. He tweets at @mra47. He loves to brag on his students’ work at
If you have never participated in an #Edchat discussion, these take place twice a day every Tuesday on Twitter. Over 400 educators participate in this discussion by just adding #edchat to their tweets. For tips on participating in the discussion, please check out these posts!
Firstly apologies for being so long in posting this blog (Virtual Round Table duties and teaching two courses this week) – a brilliant summary from David Wees (see bio at end of post) @davidwees, who has provided blog posts for both #edchats on October 5th (2nd one following )!! Great work David. David is a regular at #edchat and always has great links and information to share. I’m sure you will agree that two posts from David we are truly blessed! Thank you for the dedication and enthusiasm David!
It is absolutely essential that educators remain up to date on current developments in our world. It is amazing how fast change is occurring and it will not be long before the content based curriculum we have will no longer be relevant. Changes in our society and the technology we use which once took centuries to develop and unfold now happen in the span of a single year.
So I would say that we should not be talking about a desire to change as we have already moved into a definite need for change. There was very little disagreement about this in our discussion in #edchat today which was definitely encouraging for me, given that I have already written about this topic and formed my own opinion. It was nice to have my opinion validated though.
We should be teaching our students a curriculum based on the skills they will probably need to be successful in their future. Most of the content we teach can be easily learned when necessary and does nothing to prepare our students. Worse, much of what we teach is out of date and does not reflect the reality of our rapidly changing world.
Here are some of the main themes from the discussion:
Educators are afraid of change and of the future.
Students need to learn how to learn more than they need to learn what we know.
Time in our schedules to actually implement these changes is essential.
These skills cannot be measured with a standardized test.
We need to share more of what we know as a profession.
Here is a selection of some of the comments:
With such a vibrant discussion, it’s almost impossible to do it justice in a summary, but I’ve picked out some of the comments that caught my eye.
@davidwees – Within a few years the human knowledge base will be increasing faster than our ability to match curriculum to it. #edchat
@shellterrell – I believe there is the need to change the system to include tech, but adding an IWB in every schl & no support not the solution #Edchat
@jonbergmann – Many tchrs today are too afraid of change. But their kids have changed. It is time for change #edchat
@EdTechEvolution – In other words, is change serving as a means to an end, or is it becoming an end unto itself? #edchat
@bhsprincipal – There must be models where teachers are give time within traditional schedules. We need to share them. #edchat
@schoology – Perhaps there needs to be more #edtech training brought to the curriculum in training to be a teacher #edchat
@rliberni – Is there a danger we may put put tech before the learning/content if we move too fast? #edchat
@L_Hilt – #edchat And let’s give time for “Tech” when it connects to meaningful learning. Show me how time spent on the initiative will benefit kids.
@hadleyjf – Teachers sharing with each other is very powerful PD! #edchat
@BLicata – Why do we need traditional schedules? Why cant we be creative instead of confined to time #edchat
@andycinek – At the end of the day, whether we use tech or not, we need to create a dynamic learning environment for students #edchat
@MaggieSwitz – Admin needs to use “carrots” to encourage teachers to experiment with tech, not sticks if they fail #edchat
@Carter_Learning – tech moves SO fast; can education as an institution possibly keep up? #edchat
@schoology – We need to get the idea of “FAILING” out of our vocab. Turn education to experimenting/exploring #edchat
@tucksoon – Exponential growth spur by tech as seen on “Do you know” video reminded us that tech is not an option in edu #edchat
@MaggieSwitz – We only move forwards when the student eventually overtakes the teacher #edchat
@vickicobb – @rliberni we need to change the image of the teacher as an authority with answers to a learning facilitator not afraid of mistakes. #edchat
@hakan_sentrk – when teaching tech to newbies do not use your own language but the language of your audience. they will be grateful. #edtech #edchat
I would ask that the following question is added to the poll next week:
What changes have we seen to our understanding of the world are critical that our students know?
schoology: To learn more about how to collaborate & engage students while implementing #edtech chk out http://ht.ly/2OQbc
MissCheska: @monicamalpas77 This blog post by @TeachPaperless (tips on tech snafus) might help http://bit.ly/93IFLO
vmc_teachers: Thank you all for the #edchat Don’t forget to thank the teachers that don’t give up! And share your photos of WTD! http://bit.ly/cGxQ5c+
hakan_sentrk: first presentation I had for our “frightened” teachers: http://bit.ly/952UXy
ShellTerrell: Several tutorials, lessons, and more for using a variety of #edtech tools effectively with students http://bit.ly/c2vE2I
yongclee: Great call to action from @chrislehmann: This isn’t an education debate http://huff.to/9VPuDK
Bio:
David Wees has taught in Brooklyn, London, Bangkok, and Vancouver in public, parochial, and private education. His diverse experiences have given him a unique perspective on education systems worldwide. He currently teaches in a small private school called Stratford Hall in Vancouver where he is the Learning Specialist for Technology. He has also written an already out of date textbook on Mathematics and he blogs regularly at http://davidwees.com.
New to Edchat?
If you have never participated in an #Edchat discussion, these take place twice a day every Tuesday on Twitter. Over 400 educators participate in this discussion by just adding #edchat to their tweets. For tips on participating in the discussion, please check out these posts!
This week’s #edchat touched on a topic very close to people’s hearts and the discussion was lively to say the least. There were tons of links shared and lots of new collaborations arranged! Taking on the task of ploughing through the archive to produce this week’s summary is Tracy Mercier (@tracymercier) who has done an amazing job! Thank you Tracy for sterling work! Find out more about Tracy from her bio at the end of the post.
With everything going virtual and making its way to the cloud, it’s inevitable for us to ask what will happen to textbooks. But, more than that, what will happen to anything in print? As we enter a more digital world, we consider the implications for educating children how to navigate their way. During the chat today, a few points and/or concerns were resonating: cost, content, and process.
As a few pointed out, the cost of electronic textbooks is not much different than those in print. Most having only a $10 difference. There is also the additional cost of purchasing an e-reader &/or laptop to access the digital textbook. The issue of cost raised a few concerns about equity. How can we ensure that those without access at home would be able to participate outside of school?
The conversation revolving around content and process brought up some excellent points. Do we have to use textbooks (print or digital)? If we are going to go digital, how about pulling in other resources: video, Wikipedia, etc. This brought in concerns about disseminating the same information to students vs. providing students with choice. Choice in what to read or how to get the information: video, going to the source (asking the author). Some also suggested blending the two. Providing the students with an array of resources in print and online. Yet, as many of us know, just because it’s out there on the web, does not mean that it’s credible. What skills do we need to consider teaching our students in order for them to know when they are being fed false information? And, how do we scaffold the skills, tech and literacy, so that our students are successful? Training was also a concern. Not only do we want our students to be successful with the tools, but it was clearly important that our colleagues be just as successful implementing them.
Here is a selection of some of the comments:
With such a vibrant discussion, it’s almost impossible to do it justice in a summary, but I’ve picked out some of the comments that caught my eye.
Parentella: @ShellTerrell Training is key. We have to equip our educator with the knowledge of ho to best use the tech b4 leaving them w/it
UltimateTeacher: @ShellTerrell We have to empower teachers to take on digital books. Small goals are more realistic and manageable
tomwhitby: By switching to digital content that huge amount textbk $$$ could be diverted to tech tools and there would still be money left over.
malcolmbellamy: education is about preparation for the future not rushing backwards to the past
tucksoon: Textbooks will still exist unless education technology becomes air
tomwhitby: Digital is more relevant and timely than Print.
findingdulcinea: Educators must create the successors to textbooks; we’ve created a platform to help them, as have others http://bit.ly/91xCl7
ShellTerrell: Most Ss have access to cell phones where they can carry the material around w/ them if we made the switch to dig tech
aguteirreziT: Agree that ebook and book should coexist. Fond memories from childhood with books. Shame to eliminate completely.
cybraryman1: We have to consider training for learning new technology & expecting learners to adapt to blended learning
CrudBasher: Idea world -> Each students has their own customized digital txtbook, based on their learning style
tkraz: Is there a resource for teachers who want to “construct” a free online version of their text? Let us get started that way.
findingdulcinea: e-textbooks are not the answer; still have one voice, and no differentiated or individualized, student-directed instruction
odysseyware: Don’t forget it’s not about us, but what students will do. It can never be digital or paper bcs every kid is different. So how?
vickicobb: Where is it written that all kids have to read the same bk on a topic? Why cant they read diff bks and discuss??
michellek107: 1 problem w/ print textbooks is that many are used as “THE curriculum,” rather than to support curriculum.
SamGliksman: ebooks will succeed when they provide genuine interactive learning experience and aren’t just pdf of text-which most are now
SECottrell: Open-source resources that are motivating, up-to-date, and relevant are what turns the textbookless classroom into magic
lhmiles2: Give me a vast supply of primary & secondary documents, and I will never touch another textbook again. Students love real content.
min_d_j: digital text = flexible text. How about interactive PLEs that include text, images, video, simulations, interactive components?
Mamacita: Good teachers turn textbooks into magic carpets, & poor teachers refuse to use magic at all. It would be the same for ebooks.
cybraryman1: Our job as educators is to find the right method (book & internet) so every child can learn & reach his/her potential.
ImagineLearning: Fascinating article on how web is dying. R apps a solution 2 letting Ss use power of internet but stay safe? http://bit.ly/bVq4v3 #edchat
vickicobb: It’s the writing that makes written material memorable. here’s scientific proof: http://bit.ly/dtBJ6N
vickicobb: Think of us nonfiction authors as playwrights. You can teach from great scripts! http://bit.ly/d9ZPAT
elanaleoni: CK12 offers free #opensource textbooks w the ability to collaborate: http://www.ck12.org/flexr/
NextGenLC: Widespread use of #augmentedreality in the classroom may be far off, but it’s exciting tech. to think about http://ow.ly/2Lai1 #edchat
PCSTech: Here’s an example of a free, online textbook on NC History, created by @LEARNNC – http://bit.ly/cfewKb It’s incredible. #edchat
DUMACORNELLUCIA: New blog post Personal Learning Environments, Network and Knowledge 2010 #PLENK2010 and #edtech20 http://bitly.net/b5BSJZ #edchat #P21cs
ECBOE: A Fun World Where Kids Create and Publish Their Own Books: http://bit.ly/92gLYZ #AETA #edchat
findingdulcinea: Here’s our list of 101 great social studies Web sites; why use a textbook when you have these? http://bit.ly/bChZsi #edchat #sschat
agutierrezIT: @ tomwhitby I don’t support or defend McLeroy’s influence, but is it any different than NYT influence? http://bit.ly/9vLivW #edchat
Mamacita: @tkraz Net is full of ebook deals. Wed. night, for example, you can get @SteveSpangler ‘s new ebook for $0.99! http://bit.ly/dhRn9c #edchat
vickicobb: I had to leave teaching to become a science writer for children. No time for both teaching and writing. http://vickicobb.com #edchat
ESLlibrary: @englishraven Shared this interesting video about a potential digital textbook http://tinyurl.com/26u52um Check out after #edchat
ToddAHoffman: Texas schools use Web-based program to support 1-to-1 learning #edchat #edtech http://sbne.ws/r/5KCe
web20education: RT @cybraryman1: We have to teach students not to believe everything on internet. See: All About Explorers http://bit.ly/akDbr8 (author:@geraldaungst)#edchat
EDUTOPIA: An article that relates 2 #edchat today: “A Textbook Example of What’s Wrong w #Education” http://bit.ly/cJJegZ
ESLlibrary: @theteachinggame Yes, here is a great new resource on just that from @NikPeachey http://tinyurl.com/29wdtok #edchat
GEN_Technology: RT @Parentella: Keep the Education Conversation Going on Twitter with #EdChat Even After the Hype http://bit.ly/de6OB8 #education
vmc_teachers: @davidwees Animal in the wild. OMG! I was having the same thought yesterday watching this video on ants http://bit.ly/dbcOHf AMAZING #edchat
findingdulcinea: What if thousands of great teachers created and shared assignments & resources like this one? http://bit.ly/bPelRl #edchat
lemino: @cybraryman1 I wish I could participate in the next #edchat It relates to a pervious one and this post… http://bit.ly/aySkTr
Taylor_Learning: @Carter_Learning Has a great blog post on the e-reader debate. Good supplementary reading for today’s #edchat http://bit.ly/9aRLEv
Tracy Mercier is a third grade teacher at Broad Brook Elementary School in Broad Brook, CT. She teaches with a passion for integrated curriculum and technology. Tracy is also a Responsive Classroom Consulting Teacher and CT ASCD Board Member.
New to Edchat?
If you have never participated in an #Edchat discussion, these take place twice a day every Tuesday on Twitter. Over 1,000 educators participate in this discussion by just adding #edchat to their tweets. For tips on participating in the discussion, please check out these posts!
This #edchat discussion was fast and furious and obviously a topic close to the hearts of many who participated. We are very grateful to Lisa Tingey (@lisalearner)who, with her background in educational software and learning online has produced a fantastic summary which gets right to the heart of the issue. Find out more about Lisa from her bio at the end of the post. Thank you Lisa for a great post!
Major Themes
● Teaching Practices. E-learning is not a substitute for sound teaching practices. A poorly trained face-to-face teacher is also likely to be a poor e-learning teacher.
● Accessibility. Will established e-learning programs extend the learning beyond the walls of the classroom and provide students with opportunities to take courses that aren’t normally taught at their school? At the same time, could these programs widen the gap between rich and poor or students and their peers with disabilities?
● Differentiation. E-learning is a feasible way to differentiate instruction if programs provide assessment tools for teachers and allow students to progress at their own rate.
● Student Engagement. E-learning places responsibility to learn on the student. Success is more dependent on student engagement with e-learning than it is in a traditional learning environment.
● Asynchronous Learning. What’s more powerful, synchronous or asynchronous learning? How does feedback play into this?
● Professional Development. Will a blended e-learning implementation be an intuitive process for teachers and students? Or will a lot of time be wasted learning to navigate e-learning technologies?
Hello, fellow edchatters! I’d like to start this recap with a big thank you to @rliberni for the opportunity to synthesize last week’s #edchat and share my take away. Each #edchat I’ve participated in has left me inspired and enlightened, so thank you, too, for welcoming me into the community and for joining the conversation
Last week’s #edchat was of particular interest to me, considering my experience creating educational software. We discussed the benefits and potential challenges of blending e-learning with face-to-face learning.
Many contributors were excited about the prospects of more differentiated instruction, wide accessibility that extends the classroom beyond school hours, and students who are more fully engaged in learning. Still, others were concerned that e-learning programs would benefit only the most engaged, leaving other students to fall behind, and that accessibility would be an issue for both underprivileged students and students with disabilities.
In the end, one theme I took with me was that technological advances do not and cannot make up for poor teacher training, which often results in bad practices, and that even with additional technology teachers must continue using sound teaching skills to find success in the classroom.
While there were so many important tweets that enlightened the discussion, I sifted through and pulled what I felt were the best representations of the opinions, sentiments, and ideas of last week’s #edchat—listed in chronological order to represent the development of conversation. Also, take a look at the links section at the end, full of great resources that were shared during the chat. Special thanks to moderators @shellterrell and @rliberni, who did a great job in steering the conversation.
k_shelton: E-Learning can be blending into virtually any situation as long as it is with properly trained educators and appropriately supported #edchat
rliberni: @Becky_Ellis_ agreed, so design is very important but the std driving is what makes good e-learning #edchat
TwitClass: Would a blend of Elearning & Face to Face instruction be viable for all age groups & levels? #edchat
Tkraz: Experience lectures at home (through gaming, etc.) and discuss in class #edchat
Fliegs: E-learning will be one more way to widen the gap between rich and poor. #edchat
Rliberni: @olafelch they need to be able to self-manage their learning, to be self critical and honest about their work & make thr own choices #edchat
Akevy613: Again as with any technology e- learning is a tool used but the focus as always has to be student learning #edchat
Becky_Ellis_: One HUGE advantage to E learning is the think time asynchronous instruction can provide for students. #edchat
Tina_Barr : @aklinekator @Becky_Ellis_ @MissCheska bad teachers R bad no matter the format does elearning have potential 2 make tchrs better? #edchat
ShellTerrell: Amazing! RT @fliegs: True. Last year, we used skype to help a very sick child stay connected to the class. #edchat
Paulbrichardson: @Becky_Ellis_ Agree that ‘think time’ is important. Asynchronous can give the shy learner opportunity to flourish #edchat
andycinek: I see “e-learning” as an organizational tool to assist and archive the classroom learning. It does not replace the learning process #edchat
iDESIGNsol: @lisalearner right on! in an e-environment, students move at their own pace in a safe environment-not always an option in trad model #edchat
frogphilp: RT @ShellTerrell If all schools integrated elearning then this would help extend learning beyond the classroom walls #Edchat that’s the key!
Anotherschwab: Student engagement is even more important in E-Learning, if they are not engaged it doesn’t work. #edchat
Andycinek: Whether its f2f or e-learning the content is the same.stdnts still need 2 B taught. SD learning only works w/ skill sets in place #edchat
olafelch: @drdouggreen I did. And from my own experience, learning how to learn online is neither instant nor instinctive. #edchat
fliegs: In most schools I’ve encountered, f2f learning needs to be differentiated more. Tchrs need to focus there and leave e-lrning out #edchat
ShellTerrell: Agree! RT @Becky_Ellis_: elearning helps differentiate for the individual student more effectively than 1 teacher can. #edchat
rliberni: W/ good elearning u take ur time, u choose ur direction, u self-evaluate, get good feedback. it opens up a new world #edchat
Tina_Barr: Will elearning make school difficult or impossible for some students w/ learning disabilities? #edchat
eshwaranv: @Tina_Barr VLEs need not be always visual. Blended learning can be customized. That’s the beauty of it. #edchat
cybraryman1: The key factor is having teachers who know the best methods to improve student learning with & without technology #edchat
ColinTGraham: The challenge with introducing anything new to your teaching approaches is that it should be purposeful, not just experimental #edchat
Lisa has taught English as a second language in the US and abroad and, for a period of time, attempted to teach Spanish (a language she used to know well) to a class of Hungarians (in a language she barely knew).
After a brief stint as a magazine writer and editor, Lisa joined the software development team at Imagine Learning, where she writes stories and designs activities to help children with language and literacy. She is honored to work with teachers every day in developing tools to help their students succeed, and she would love to hear from you—just tweet @lisalearner
New to Edchat?
If you have never participated in an #Edchat discussion, these take place twice a day every Tuesday on Twitter. Over 1,000 educators participate in this discussion by just adding #edchat to their tweets. For tips on participating in the discussion, please check out these posts!
● If you would like to join others in transforming the discussion into action, please feel free to join the Edchat group on the Educator PLN ning. ● Jerry Swiatek does an incredible job of posting each archived transcript on the Edchat wiki created by Steve Johnson. This way you can look back at your favorites!
● Find previous summaries here on this blog – see edchat category on right sidebar
● Follow other Edchatters and make sure you are on this Twitter list if you participate in Edchat!
● Read summaries of the 7pm EST/1 am CET Edchat discussions.
Challenge:
If you’re new to hashtag discussions, then just show up on Twitter on any Tuesday and add just a few tweets on the topic with the hashtag #edchat.
We are very grateful to Todd Hoffman (@ToddAHoffman) for this week’s guest summary. He is well-qualified to write about this topic with both his academic and work background. I am sure you will find it a well-rounded and insightful piece. Thank you Todd! (see bio at end of piece)
The weekly #edchat is an event I always make an effort to attend. Those of you who regularly join in the chat know its value and have benefited from its existence. So when I was approached to write this week’s summary to a topic very close to home for me I was thrilled. I am a former classroom teacher who now works for an educational software company and recently finished my master’s degree online. On top of that the company I work for is shifting its professional development model from in person to either a blended or online only solution. These changes cause uneasy feelings in many well qualified employees and a fear that technology will replace human workers. But can online or distance learning replace classroom learning?
As in government, change in education is like driving a barge- It’s not quick or easy. People get set in their ways and resist change for fear it will replace them. If technology is part of the change process the level of concern seems to heighten. However, shying away from change can ultimately lead to ignorance and a lack of preparation for the world in which we live. Educators have a goal of preparing students for the world of today and tomorrow, not the world of the 20th Century. In the 21st Century our world has become more technologically adept and the desire for flexible work schedules is greater than ever. All educators and parents want the best educational opportunities for their kids and in our world that requires some innovation. While most edchatters seemed to agree that online learning is a valuable addition to classroom learning most agree that it will not be a replacement for more traditional learning. The consensus seems to be a blended solution where online learning opportunities are combined with classroom learning. Additionally, many edchatters commented on the secondary benefit to classroom learning of childcare. Many edchatters stressed that online learning must become an integral part of the educational system to provide flexibility and extension to traditional classroom learning. More people are working on online degrees today than ever before and the use of social media has spread to almost every industry. A good opportunity for educators to better understand the value of online education is through developing a PLN on twitter. Discussions such as #edchat help educators, parents, and students to discuss effective ways of integrating educational technology into the classroom.
Here are some of the main themes from the discussion:
Schools operate as childcare so parents can work
Students learn differently
Online learning can provide flexibility to students and families
Online learning can be structured
Face to face learning is important for child development
Good Online learning requires skill and preparation
Blended Solutions can provide excellent learning opportunities
Here is a selection of some of the comments: With such a vibrant discussion, it’s almost impossible to do it justice in a summary, but I’ve picked out some of the comments that caught my eye.
@TechCzech: If schooling were about learning, distance learning might replace classroom. But K-12 schools have an important childcare function
@Parantella: I think we have to be willing to think outside the classroom while also remembering some students learn best F2F #edchat
@cfanch: I’ve taken online classes post grad and loved them but I just don’t see it happening any time soon for K-12 #edchat
@drdouggreen: Parents can be more involved with online classes #edchat
@isteconnects: I teach at the college level and find the f2f invaluable. Kids are away from home for the 1st time. They need the guidance
@shellterrell: I don’t think online learning will replace face to face but I do see the potential in a blended structure! #Edchat
@cybraryman1: I favor the combination of learning in a classroom with the ability to access great online learning as well.
@TheNerdyTeacher: #edchat – Independent Studies would work great online for students who want a class but it doesn’t fit their schedule.
@melanie289: In my rural state, online learning is the only opportunity many of our students have to access advanced courses in h.s. #edchat
@jksuter: Who would replace teachers as the parent’s free babysitters if school went totally online, 4 this reason alone it will never happen. #edchat
@RMHS_AP: Online learning should be used to enhance the traditional classroom and to differentiate instruction, not replace f2f #edchat
@1katty: We are offering online alternatives to our high school students to broaden the diversity of our curriculum. #edchat
@bethanyvsmith: I think teaching online is not only harder, it requires twice as much prep time. You can’t “wing” online teaching #edchat
@courosa: Every educator should have opportunity 2 teach AND learn online. Much is learned about f2f practice from such experiences. #edchat
@Mamacita: hybrid classes are awesome for ALL TYPES OF STUDENTS: actual contact AND own pace. #edchat
@lemino: I think online shouldn’t be just an emergency solution, it should work side by side with class, or even in-class. #edchat
@billgx Most: recent studies appear to show positives for online learning. Gains seem to be highest w/ blended (F2F + online) #edchat
To follow the complete discussion see here
For the stats on #edchat participation see here
As ever, there were some great links shared:
malcolmbellamy: it is the quality of the f2f that counts see http://bit.ly/b4zndc
tony_valderrama: No today’s topic, but interesting: 15 mind blowing facts of the internet: http://bit.ly/cr3qe0
jamesmaitland: #edchat I have just posted a video (5min) quick idea of a school social media communication system. http://bit.ly/d4V4Z2
Bio Teacher turned Consultant working to find innovative solutions to issues in education.
New to Edchat?
If you have never participated in an #Edchat discussion, these take place twice a day every Tuesday on Twitter. Over 1,000 educators participate in this discussion by just adding #edchat to their tweets. For tips on participating in the discussion, please check out these posts!
