Blended Learning in the K-12 Classroom

Blended learning, also known as hybrid learning or mixed-mode instruction, is defined as instruction that combines face-to-face and online instruction. The way that the instruction is delivered can vary from teacher to teacher, student to student, and topic to topic.  Students could be directed to video or text files, interactive applets or chat rooms. Below are some examples of blended learning in the primary, junior, and intermediate classroom.

Primary: http://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cResource.dspView&ResourceID=1015

The activity that I thought was a good example of blended learning at the primary level was found on the Gizmos webpage. It is an activity from Grade 3 Data Management, and it involves a discussion about probability. Students use a spinning wheel applet to look at probability. They are able to design the wheel to their specifications (if they want) or just run the wheel as it is preset. I like that students can use the wheel to gather real, concrete data, which allows them to experience their learning. As well, the learning that takes place is inquiry based, as there is an exploration sheet for them to follow through as they complete the activity. Further, there are assessment questions for the student to complete after they finish the task. As well, there is a facilitator guide for the teacher that allows them to provide supports for the students, which is one of the main purposes of hybrid learning.

This lesson supports ELL learners, as on the page there is a vocabulary guide that discusses many of the words that may be involved with the lesson. As well, this lesson is aimed towards students with learning disabilities as it allows you to modify the experiment (more/less trials so a better understanding occurs), many of the problems are multiple choice which could aid students with communication identifications, and the problems are very visual, but also explained in words, which would help students with spatial difficulties.

  

Junior: https://download.elearningontario.ca/repository/14/1402230000/GRD5MTHEU04A02/overview.html     

The activity that I decided to take a look at for the junior grade level was an activity that I found on the OERB website. It is an activity from Grade 5 mathematics that is about Shape Patterns and Relationships. The content is broken into several parts – there is a review video from youtube about Shape Patterns, some required reading, opportunities for students to complete a practice exercise, and then an assignment. This activity is a good example of blended learning for a few reasons – it is extremely visual, allowing students the opportunity to see what patterning would look like in an algebra context; it combines multiple forms of media, using videos, paper and pencil, and digital activity; it provides the student with an opportunity to get feedback before they work on the assignment, so that the teacher can gauge and reinforce understanding.       

In addition to being blended, I think that this activity supports various types of learners –it provides opportunities for different learning types – the visual learner can see images, the auditory learner can watch and listen to the video, and the kinesthetic learner can model the patterns with virtual manipulatives or in class when their understandings are being reinforced. In addition, this activity is beneficial for students with learning disabilities/special education students, as it provides them multiple opportunities to check and enhance their learning, including feedback from the teacher, and allows them to work through the unit at their own pace. Further, this activity can aid ELL learners, as part of the activity is to check classmates answers and discuss with them what the correct answers are and why – this allows ELL students opportunity to practice their language skills and reinforce what they have learned in the activity.

Intermediate: http://mathclips.ca

 

I chose to use the CLIPS website as an example of blended learning for the intermediate level. Specifically, I chose the Grade 9 Linear Relations cluster to discuss. Here there are several activities on linear growing patterns, each of which has their own activity list. As an example, Simple Linear Growing Patterns offers a robot transformer – which is an input/output machine for algebraic patterns (gives a few numbers, has the students try to guess the pattern), an example of graphical representations of simple growing patterns, an activity to check your understanding, and then a consolidate, which has students demonstrate their learning from the activity.

I found this to be a good example of blended learning because it incorporates various different styles of learning – students can manipulate growing patterns on a graph, view a video for the robot transformer, or work with traditional paper and pencil when demonstrating their learning. As well, instruction is differentiated based on product, as students have several different ways to consolidate and demonstrate their learning. This works well for our identified learners, as it lets them pick a task that would be appropriate for their ability level and learning style, and the teacher guide provides modifications that could be used to make the tasks more suitable for weaker students or students who work at a slower pace.

In general, the activities above all seem like real, engaging activities that allow students to take ownership over their learning, while still providing the teacher opportunities to help consolidate learning with students or take time with individual students to provide extra supports. As well, each of the lessons or units is tailored towards giving different learners different opportunities, as not every student learns in the same way. I feel that each of these activities could have merit in their individual classrooms if implemented properly, and that students would not only learn what are otherwise complicated mathematical concepts, but also enjoy themselves in the meantime.