Blended learning for all

Any 21st century teacher should know what blended learning is and just how many ways there are to accomplish it.  Personally I still find it all a bit intimidating.   Am I the only one?  It just seems like a whole lot of work and without having tried it yet, it is still a bit daunting to think about managing 30 students both online and in class, and planning lessons in both, not to mention the stress of making the technology available for all your students at the same time! Making lesson content online takes time, and as a new teacher I felt like time was the one thing I never seemed to have enough of. 

My background in education and my work experience are focused around people with disabilities and special education, so blended learning is intriguing to me as to how it might help enhance learning for those with special education needs.  My husband is a special education teacher in a high school and I have seen his program shift over the years to become more and more blended and technology based over the last few years.

Blended learning is quite useful for students with special needs or English language learners for many reasons. Firstly, you can design it so that students work at their own pace. One of the biggest challenges for ELL students is keeping up because they are learning the language at the same time as the lesson.  The ESL teacher has the ability to add links to help with the language development at the same time if they collaborate with the classroom teacher.  The internet offers so many translation and online dictionary and thesaurus tools that can really help an ELL student to progress through a lesson.  Secondly, there can be alternate tasks set up online.  Students don't have to do the same task to acquire the same knowledge, so by offering parallel tasks online, students can choose what works best for them. Lastly, the internet offers the ability to deliver content in audio, visual and multimedia ways.  We know that not all students learn in the same way (multiple intelligences) and so delivering content in multiple ways will reach multiple learners. 

Here are the examples that I found inspiring in each division:

Primary: At the Milan Village Elementary School in New Hampshire, students are equipped with their own computer and throughout the day they flip back and forth between online and in person lessons.  The teachers guide the students through the curriculum in an individualized way so that each student is learning how they learn best.  The assigning of online lessons will depend on individual progress and learning needs.

Junior: At Acton Acadamy, their school is focused on blended learning.  Students are given the opportunity to take charge of their own learning.  They use technology for lessons and for projects and also for feedback and assessment. What I loved was that they said that they know that even though something is online doesn't make it appropriate for everyone, so for their math program in elementary, they offer choices of programs and sites (ie. Khan Academy, DreamBox etc.) and then they let their students choose which works best for their learning.  The school blends their learning between technology and real life and often will have hands-on learning experiences in and out of the classroom. They ever have students as young as middle school going to apprenticeship style job placements.

Intermediate: The grade 8 science department at Hamilton Middle School has mastered the flipped classroom model of blended learning. Two teachers, Mr Alkire & Mr. Wandell work together to flip their classrooms.  They have created their own Google classroom : https://sites.google.com/site/hms8thgradescience/home as well as their own YouTube and Vimeo channels.  They upload video lesson content and student will work through the video lessons at home on their own time (or in school on breaks if they don't have internet access at home).  When they come to class, they have a checklist of activities to do to correspond with each video lesson.  The classroom according to them looks like organized chaos because students are all working on different things and the learning is so self directed, but the kids are all on task (even though they may be on different tasks).  The teachers are in class to help students on a more individual basis, to solidify concepts when needed and to inspire further thinking.

After doing more investigating tonight and reading a lot of success stories, I can really see how your investment of time can make such an incredible impact on student learning and it will make your job EASIER in the end because your students will be engaged and learning in the best way they can.

Resources:

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2014/06/03/blended-learning-competency-826/2/

https://youtu.be/-jotk4mhQOU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBLgVRsb7_Q

https://sites.google.com/site/hms8thgradescience/flippedclassroom

https://sites.google.com/site/hms8thgradescience/home

The Why and When of Creative Commons Licences in Class

Hrmmmm.... why would you possibly use a Creative Commons License with your students?  Here's what I'm thinking...

I think it's important for younger students to understand the basics of copyrights and plagiarism and I think the Creative Commons license fits nicely into that discussion with your students.  It's important that by the time students get to high school that they know how to use sources without copying them and how to give credit.  They should also know where to find things that they can use for free and with permission such as music and images.  This will continue to help them in post secondary also.

Whenever you ask your students to complete a project where they will need to add images to something or music or video, encourage them to use the Creative Commons tools to find what they need.  You could even encourage them to license their own work in some cases.

Tech enhanced teaching

This may have been made when I was a teacher candidate, but I still believe everything I said about technology enhanced teaching, and Animoto is an interesting tech tool for creating presentations.


Make your own slide show at Animoto.

The Standards of Practice and Me

I would like to think that everyone who becomes a teacher naturally lives by these standards of practice without even looking at the list, because I believe that these are things that should simply be a natural part of a good teacher’s personality and personal goals.  When I first saw the standards of practice in Teacher’s College, I thought they were very common sense.  Now that I have been teaching for a year, I am able to look a bit deeper into each of the standards and reflect on how closely they have related to my teaching. As an educator, I feel it is important for me to uphold these standards because I believe that in a workplace, an example can set a tone.  In the same way that if a few people at a workplace are laid back, that attitude spreads, I think that if you show your dedication to the professional standards, then it influences others to do the same.

I have always considered myself to be a lifelong learner, but I never realized how much I would be learning in just my first year of teaching.  Ongoing professional learning was demonstrated through my NTIP sessions last year, through my work with colleagues and I even invited a French Instructional Coach to work with me for two weeks.  I made an effort to learn as well as just learning through experience, but I would say that there was one area for improvement. I worked in two different schools this year, one where I was one of three French teachers and the other where I was the only one.  I definitely learned so much from my French colleagues at the first school, but at the second, I felt a bit like an island.  It was hard for me to get to know my division colleagues because I came halfway through the year, and for the first time, I had my own classroom to set up (and sequester myself in) and because of that, I think I missed an opportunity for growth and learning from those colleagues.

Teaching in the 21st century does introduce a whole new layer to the profession, but I don’t think that the standards need to change to accommodate that layer.  The standards can be adhered to using all of the new things that have broadened our teaching world.  Commitment to Students and Student Learning - Instead of just teaching students about being contributing citizens, we now also teach how to be a good digital citizen.

Professional Knowledge & Ongoing professional learning - Teachers can enhance their professional knowledge so much easier now through e-learning, digital conferencing, e-books, educational videos online, even things like pinterest can be a great resource!

Professional Practice & Commitment to Students and Student Learning - These two go hand in hand, and show that the 21st century teacher can use new tools and resources to put their professional knowledge into practice to enhance student learning. An example of this is delivering course material online (in a powtooon, or other visual format) as an accommodation for a student with special needs.

Leadership in Learning Communities - I believe this to be easier because there is simply so many more avenues for seeking out learning communities with the internet.  With more communities, there is more opportunity for leadership.

I wouldn’t say that these standards encourage innovation and risk taking.  If you’re an innovative person who is driven and takes risks, then naturally you will interpret these standards in that way, but for many teachers, the standards inspire them to do their job to the best of their ability, and in the end I think that is the best way for the professional standards to be interpreted.

Dear parents and guardians...

Dear Parents and Guardians,

               This year in our French program, we are going to be doing some exciting work with social media sites.  Some of these may already be familiar in your household such as Instagram and Twitter, but we will also be exploring sites like Google Docs, Google Plus, Blogger, Celly and Pinterest. Using these sites, students will increase creativity, develop new communication skills and learn how to safely navigate the online world. It's my hope that using these programs will also help to make French class fun for students while showing them how French can be used in their everyday life.

               I assure you that safety is my priority while using social media and technology in my program.  I will teach your child how to stay safe online, and I will hold them accountable for their online actions.  I ask that you read the agreement at the bottom of the page with your child and ask that they sign it then return it to me.  It's important for students to make a commitment to keep themselves and others safe and to use the internet appropriately.

                There IS technology available at the school for students to use, but the Halton District School Board's 'Bring I.T.' policy invites students to bring their personal devices (phone, iPad, tablet, laptop) to school.  It is only to be used in the classroom, under teacher direction, during class time.  If your child would like to bring their personal technology to school, please note that the school is NOT responsible for any lost, stolen, or broken items and all the same rules and expectations for internet use apply.

             Throughout the year, you will be able to see what we are doing in class and how we are using social media and technology by checking my class website (ADD LINK HERE). 

                 If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me (blackmores@hdsb.ca or 905 878 1556). 

Thank you in advance for your support.

Stephanie Blackmore

Intermediate Core French Teacher
Sam Sherratt Public School
___________________________________________________________________________________
                                                              PLEASE SIGN AND HAVE YOUR CHILD SIGN THEN DETATCH AND SEND BACK

I _____________________________________________(print name) agree that when I am online,

        I WILL  * use it only for school purposes
                      * follow the teacher's instructions
                      * respect myself and my classmates
                      * tell the teacher if I see anything inappropriate on the sites I visit.

I WILL NOT * share personal information (last name, address, phone number)
                       * bully others in any way
                       * use the internet for personal messaging or texting that isn't related to the lesson
                       * communicate with strangers

__________________________________              _______________________________________
                         STUDENT SIGNATURE                                                                                                PARENT OR GUARDIAN SIGNATURE

Keeping kids safe on social media

In today's schools, students' social lives are lived on social media sites.  We as teachers can also use these platforms to our educational benefit but the students' safety is paramount. These sites can be used effectively for intermediate and high school students, but will be used differently than they may be used to in their personal lives. Note* It's still be important to teach the safe use of social media to younger students despite the minimum age requirements for usage. 

On the website Edudemic.com (http://www.edudemic.com/guides/the-teachers-guide-to-keeping-students-safe-online/) an article about keeping kids safe online talks about boundaries.  It makes the discussion about personal boundaries the first step to safety.  I loved that it tells teachers to frame the discussion as a life skill as opposed to making it directly about online safety issues.  I agree that setting your personal boundaries in life, sticking to them and expecting that they be respected by others is at the core of appropriate social media use. As a life skill, learning to set boundaries will translate to safety in all other aspects of life.

Another strategy I though was great from Edudemic is to teach students how social media and texts work.  Students might think that what they put out is sent directly to their intended audience and is deleted when  they delete it. Snapchat specifically gives students the idea that what they send is deleted once viewed. Kidshealth.org suggests teaching students that their info is stored permanently and once on the internet it is out of their control might encourage more thought to be put into their online postings.  Teachers could have students send paper texts to each other that are filtered through you. You 'make copies' before passing them to the intended recipient, and then have them 'delete the messages' by ripping the paper. The teacher will then demonstrate that there is still a copy stored away.

Kidshealth.org (http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/social-media-smarts.html#)  also mentions that students are only thinking about the present and not how their actions online will influence their future. It may be helpful to discuss their plans for the future and that their future employers will still be able to find their online posts and follow their digital footprint.  I like this idea for intermediate students especially because they are at an age where they are not thinking as seriously yet about their future and as such may be making frivolous decisions online. 

The Changing Roles of the Teacher and the Learner

How is the role of the teacher and learner changing in the 21st Century? Why? Where are you in this process?

In my opinion, the roles are becoming less distinct and are beginning to be interchangeable.  The generation being taught now in schools have been raised in a time where everything is at their fingertips. They don’t have to look at a book to find information, or go to the library, or find someone to ask.  Most students of today have access to a computer either at school or at home where they can find out almost anything with just a few clicks.  What this means for teachers is that there are times when students will be OUR teachers as WE learn to navigate through this digital world which to them is all they have ever known.  We have to both teach and learn from each other now.  

There’s a quote by Michael J Fox that says “ If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn”.  I know this quote is meant in a different context, but in regards to the 21st century educator, I think it could mean that WE need to teach in a way that makes the best use of the digital world that they are so accustomed to. When you look at things like Google Classroom, the role of the teacher in an actual classroom could become somewhat obsolete. Obviously there will always be the need for teachers to be present and available to help students one on one, however most learning could probably be accomplished in a digital format.  Personally, I am just beginning this journey as a 21st century educator. I have found that the availability of digital French resources that are at an appropriate level of difficulty for my students is challenging, and using English systems and websites doesn’t often allow for accents and special characters.  I am placing priority on finding a way that students can use their own devices safely and effectively to create a consistent digital component to my classes. Students learn better and are more engaged when they have an interest in what they are doing, and for most, putting pen to paper just isn’t something they are interested in doing. It is amazing to me that we have moved away from that so quickly that my students can’t read my writing if I use cursive.  It is just a sign that teachers can’t just do the same thing year after year, and the need for continuing teacher education and professional development is paramount in order to stay current in this digital world.  

Using Social Media in the Classroom

How can teachers use Social Media in the classroom as both,  part of the instructional approach in teaching as well as helping students understand the online web 2.0 environment?

I think teachers should be teaching in a way that is most engaging for students, and today that is by using social media.  I think that if students are going to try to be on social media in your class anyways (a common problem with every student having a cell phone) then why not go with that and use social media for your benefit.  The bonus is that there is usually no need to really explicitly teach students how to navigate social media sites, and often they might teach you a thing or two.  The way to use it appropriately is what will be explicitly taught while using it for instructional purposes.  How to safely use social media is something that will (hopefully) translate to their personal usage as well!

BIENVENUE! WELCOME!

Hello and welcome to my blog.

My name is Stephanie Blackmore.  I am one of those crazy kinds of French teachers....you know the ones who tell you that French CAN and WILL be fun for her students.  I truly believe that.  If I didn't, I couldn't be a French teacher! I love using music, drama, art and technology to engage students while teaching French.  Nothing is better than having your class engaged and interested in what they are learning (always a teacher's goal!).

It's been a long road that led me to teaching.  I floated around without much purpose or direction after high school.  I worked as an esthetician and hairstylist for a few years before falling into a job where I supported developmentally challenged adults in job placements.  I never knew how fulfilling work could be until I did this job.  I branched out into different areas within the support field, working in group homes and day programs and then finally decided to pursue Social Service Work at Sheridan College.  I did my placement at a special education high school and it led to a great career (all 5 years of it) as a Teaching Assistant for the Peel District School Board. 

I realized after a short time working that I missed being in school and that I wasn't finished my educational career, so while working full time, I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies at Ryerson.  I even worked as a T.A. in the program upon graduation.

Over those years, I realized just how much I loved teaching, and so finally in 2013, I went to Brock for my Bachelor of Education.  The French immersion in my background and the French courses I took during my undergrad came together to form my French teachable.

I feel very fortunate to be a French teacher, because it allowed me to get a quick start to my career while teaching something that I am passionate about.  In 2014, I was hired by the Halton District School Board to teach Intermediate French at a school in Milton.

At the current time, I am on maternity leave with my wonderful 8 month old son, doing another job I am passionate about... being a Mommy. 

Now that you know where I came from, you will have a better context to understand the thoughts and opinions I share here on my blog.  Keep your eyes on the right side of the blog, where I will share the links that I find the most useful for me in teaching.  If you need a little inspiration as a teacher ( or even just in your everyday life), click on the page along the top called 'Inspirational videos'.

I hope that you enjoy reading this blog as much as (I'm sure) I will enjoy creating it!