Journal 9

Pape, Liz, Tracy Sheehan, and Colleen Worell. "How to do More With Less Lessons From Online Learning." Learning and Leading With Technology. 39. (2012): 18-24. http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20120304?pg=20&pm=2&fs=1

NET 2 and NET 3

How to do More with Less addresses a growing concern in our school; increasing standards of parents and government, all the while resources and funds are dwindling.  Teachers struggle with meeting the needs of a society deep in digital age technology while still meeting the core standard requirement.  The obvious solution is to utilize free programs on the web that allow a tremendous amount of creativity and meets the needs of individual styles of learning, all while being used to demonstrate core knowledge and skills.  As students begin to move through their academic careers, if we utilize these programs in learning, they will be better prepared to live in our digital world.  The article describes two types of new online learning classroom.  The blended classroom uses both face to face teaching as well as online practicing together.  In this type of classroom teachers can do their traditional classroom teaching, as well as allow students to use online programs in their own time to continue and utilize what they learned in the classroom.  This is done through online videos, slide shows, or websites that relay the information learned in class for students to review online.  Other uses are online assessments or discussion boards to be done outside of class when time is limited.  This format is utilized by many teachers here at Cal State San Marcos.  The other classroom is the flipped classroom where students actively learn in the classroom through engaging in discussions and activities, group projects, or lab activities. Students can use web tools such as blogs to share their ideas and work, Diigio too bookmark and define their resources, and Prezi to creatively present their learning utilizing videos and other webtools.

How do web tools benefit learning in other ways than getting students involved in the digital world?

Traditional learning is often done in a way that keeps students work between the individual student and teacher.  Through sharing information on the web, students get a chance to share their work with sense of security that a student does not have when standing in front of the classroom.  While it is important to still make students share face to face, the web allows all students to share all of their work without fear.  While the web can be a false sense of security when the right precautions are not taken, it can also serve as a sense of security for students so that they can build confidence in their skills.  By asking students to post blogs and comment on their peers, it allows students to get feedback without embarrassment.  I've participated in my own classroom discussion boards where I have seen myself and others  show confidence in their thoughts that is not exhibited in the classroom.

How can I utilize a blended classroom in the younger grades?

While it is somewhat desirable for older students to utilize things like classroom discussion boards and online exams to take less pressure off classroom time, it is important to take into consideration that many early students enjoy classroom activities and it may be difficult to get them to utilize their technological skills in this way in their free time.  This is where I would allow students to choose their own mode of online activity.  If a student chooses to take the route of online assessments and discussions it would be available, but students should also have the option of creating and utilizing their own web tool.  If the students project meets the requirements of the assignment, it should always be an option for students to utilize their individual learning styles and show their creativity.