THE BLENDED FUTURE OF SCHOOLING Jennifer Cameron Immaculata University

Blended School Model  The blended school model is the collaboration or blending of the traditional school model with virtual (online) schooling.  Using:  Face to face learning  Self paced learning  Online collaborative learning

What Does the Blended Classroom Look Like?  Blended learning classrooms use online “shared” programs that give students forums to communicate, collaborate and publish work.  Web 2.0 is an example of a type of “shared” online platform students may use.  Web 2.0 includes: blogs, wikis, podcasts, discussion forums, digital storyboards, video posting, video conference and interfacing for cell phones and home computers.

Pro’s of Blending Online Programs with Traditional Learning  Students still interact with teacher face to face.  Online programs give students the ability to work at their own pace.  Online programs can be customized to give students more individualized instruction.  Online programs give teachers instant feedback on students progress.  This can enables teachers to group students and work with smaller groups as needed.

Benefits of the Blended Model for Outside the Classroom Learning. Blended learning extends lessons beyond the classroom and the school day. Gives absent students the ability to stay up to speed with class work, lectures and discussions. Gives teachers the ability to teach even if students can not attend school because of snow days, school remodeling, pandemics or other issues that would keep students from physically attending school.

Traditional Classroom  Teacher controls the agenda, pacing and information learned within the class period.  Some students may take a passive role in group discussions and group projects. Online programming paired with face to face instruction can help to keep all students accountable.

Change in the teacher-student relationship  The teacher-student relationship does change using a blended model. Teachers are no longer the holder of knowledge but also the facilitators of knowledge through online platforms.  Not all students want to work independently from the teacher.  Students have more control and independence over their learning.

Con’s to the Current Blended Classroom Models  Not all students have access to computers and the internet outside of schools.  Most schools do not have enough computers to meet the needs of the student population that would be online.  There is limited research on blended model classrooms due to its flexible nature and the changing technology.

Future Education & Careers  Integrating these two educational models may better prepare our students for future education and careers where they will interface with technology regularly.  More colleges are expecting students to work within some form of shared technology.  Example: Jefferson Nursing School in Philadelphia: requires all students to have an iphone so that they can access instructional videos, record notes and pictures, access calculators and measuring systems and participate in forum discussions.

The Model of Blended Learning Extends Pass the Classroom to the Work Force.  Many companies have blended training programs or hire consultant companies to train their staff in new technology using a blended method.  “Look at the years 2010 and These are going to be the years that will really change the industry in technology as we know it. Ten years from now you will look back at this period and see how technology shifted from a ‘you must own and control everything’ to a shared service. Workplaces are becoming more team-oriented with people working together, so today’s tools and technology are designed for it” (Lamey) Advantage: Future of Technology in the Workplace.  Using programs like Web 2.0 students use shared, team-oriented programs within their blended classroom. These same skills are needed in today’s workplace in order to communicate and work with colleagues and clients.

The Future of Technology in the Classroom.  One of the ways to start to address these issues is to change the way we use technology in the classroom. Up until this point, technology has been looked at as something we need to own, master, and control, but that is all changing. Technology is now becoming a share service. The future of technology in the classroom is not to master one element of it, but to have the ability to move between technologies seamlessly.

Drive Home…  Yellow: You are already someone who uses several forms of shared technology. How do you think social networking type programs will change the culture of the classroom.  Orange: You are in the middle of the road, using shared technology moderately. How do you think intergrading online programs into the traditional classroom will be received politically in our country.  Red: You use minimum shared technology in your life. How do you think updating schools to handle online courses will effect schools economically.