Teaching Spanish in a Blended Learning Format Stephanie Lint-Pérez, Spanish Instructor DeWitt High School lintpere@dewittschools.net

Did You Know? http://youtu.be/YmwwrGV_aiE Add video from Krista here

What Are the Three Biggest Problems in Education Today? Poll Everywhere?

Today’s Presentation Breakdown: What is and Why “blended learning” Adapting a traditional model to a blended model Expansion of Learning in the blended learning format Curriculum Model for Class Online Course Management System Strategies and effectiveness of blended learning Challenges for implementing blended learning

Why Blended Learning? What exactly is Blended Learning? “Blended Learning marries the best of a teacher with technology and plays to the strengths of the student.” (Krista –Michigan Virtual) What Blended Learning is: What Blended Learning is not: “Coaching” students A teacher “replacement” Dynamic way to deliver content A time saver for the teacher Innovative way to address student needs (schedules, learning styles, absences, struggling students) 100% computer time for students A fundamental shift in teaching—it’s here! A “buzz word”, a “phase” or a “fad”

Adapting a Traditional Model to a Blended Model Units accompanied by Unit Agenda Unit Guidesheet Online activities Interpretive Listening Presentational Writing Presentational Speaking Interpretive Reading

Expanding Student Learning Consider the Possibilities for the Content of Your Unit: Decide the purpose of your unit What parts can be taught face-to-face? Outside of class? What parts can be delivered online? How can these be delivered online? What alternative assessment does this allow for? What does this leave time for? Insert Unit Planning Template—permission from Krista?

Concept/Content to be Taught Leaves time for…(alternative assessment) “Considering the Possibilities”: Example of Unit Planning for Blended Learning Unit Title: “Let Me Introduce Myself” Purpose of Unit: To learn how to introduce oneself/others and exchange information Concept/Content to be Taught Face-to-Face? Outside of Class? How? Leaves time for…(alternative assessment)

Concept/Content to be Taught Leaves time for…(alternative assessment) Face-to-Face? Outside of Class? How? Leaves time for…(alternative assessment) Greetings/Social Code X Video/Upload Voice Role Play SER/ESTAR Video/Chat/Ppt. Whole Class Interaction Uses of Adjectives Video/Online Games/Websites Pair work/Whole-class activities

CLEAR’S Rich Internet Applications (RIA’s) www.clear.msu.edu

Online Course Management System OCMS

Moodle http://dewitt.glk12.org/course/view.php?id=227

Understanding the Digital Generation “We have old country traditions and assumptions about the world, and about teaching and learning. Because digital is not our native tongue, the thicker our accents,  the harder it is to be understood by those we teach. --Krista, Michigan Virtual

Potential Problems with Blended Learning Differences between freshmen and upper-class students Learning curves in adjusting to the new technology/format Difficulty adjusting to the structure of online courses Challenges with time management Maintaining self-motivation Time and cost for online course development Perception—Community and Teaching Staff

Benefits of Blended Learning Blended learning will aim to have better learning outcomes than both purely online and purely face-to-face courses. Security of seeing instructor and classmates Fostered sense of community and social interaction Improved pedagogy—new applications often! Learner-centered approach Real-world application Addressed diverse learning styles

The Benefits, continued Access to a world full of information Allows/requires everyone to participate Provides learners with greater control over the pace of learning and in some respects CHOICE Students will develop independent learning skills Increased information literacy High levels of satisfaction

Challenges for You, the Instructor Self motivation—the teacher should be committed to this! Front Loading Sharing Fear of technology Lack of access to technology—digital divide—students vs. teachers Learning curve Demand on Information Technology Getting faculty and student buy-in Maintaining a quality training process—MY BLEND Supporting instructors as they develop engaging courses

Leadership….Can You Be the Leader? http://youtu.be/fW8amMCVAJQ

Questions ? Find this presentation at www.lintperez.wikispaces.com Stephanie Lint-Pérez, DeWitt High School lintpere@dewittschools.net