Category: Edtech

 

As one of the biggest trends in academy learning, Blended Learning (BL) is a new teaching method that leverages the power of technology to enhance and re-invent the traditional learning environment. In a standard education model, it refers to the use of computers, mobile devices, internet, and digital learning applications to strengthen class sessions and complement the theories taught through face-to-face lectures. But, is it the right approach? What are the benefits of using this new educational model to the students and the academia as a whole? Read on below as we further discuss the use of technology in education in the 21st century.

1. Young Learners Engaged Through A Variety Of Content Types

Blended Learning is like adding colorful illustrations to your plain class lectures. You can accompany your discussions with digital content (audio, video, games, and, augmented reality applications) to keep your students awake and engaged. This method assists your students in grasping the concept/s you are introducing in front of them.

This became easier since mobile devices nowadays are equipped with media creation tools that allow you to achieve these goals. Known to be one of the best tools for education, iPhone has the ability to create slide shows with the engaging music through iMovies. It was one of the main features of iOS 7 that was listed on O2 at its dedicated iPhone 5S page, wherein it states that the free movie making tool can help you create video presentations combining photograph, audio, and text element.

2. Globalizing The Classroom Experience

With the advent of video conferencing, you and your students can go beyond the four corners of your classroom in pursuit of learning. You can also arrange language, culture, or history lessons by connecting your students with a native speaker living in another country.

This also includes real-time virtual museum apps that enable your whole class to explore exhibits only available in their area.

3. More Efficient Feedback and Assessment

With the integration of social media into the Blended Learning environment, feedback loops between you and your students are infinite.

They can directly ask you once they encounter any difficulties with regard to your assigned homework. In the same way, you can utilize its private messaging feature to perform a one-on-one assessment with your students.

4. Gamification Can Increase Children’s Attention Span

As one of the Blended Learning techniques, you can incorporate gaming elements in your lectures to keep your students energized and eager to participate. Known as the process of “gamification,” play-based learning, according to the Australian Journal of Education and Developmental Psychology can significantly increase your students’ attention span. When children are allowed to play, there will be far less time that you will have to spend on behavior management.

5. Blended Learning Eliminates Student’s Pressure

With the physical class environment, time has always been an issue. As teachers, you are restricted by a one to two hour limit per class to deliver all the information to your students – pressuring both you and your students to absorb the lessons quickly. With BL, you can allow your students to take added information home, where they can review on their own time and question-and-answer later.

Unlike the “flipped classroom” model, where students are left with reviewers at home and tests in the classroom, BL promotes usage of devices in the classroom to beef up your lectures and increase classroom participation. How do you plan to implement blended learning in your class?

Article by:

Reese Jones is passionate about the latest trends and learning models used in the academe. As a regular contributor for various blogs, she covers stories ranging from educational technologies to innovative teaching practices employed by 21st century Educators. Interact with her at Reese+ or@r_am_jones.

Image courtesy of Some rights reserved by giulia.forsythe

Most educational institutions, especially junior and high schools don’t allow students to bring cell phones at school. But does that really stop students from bringing the same? The reality is, students do bring in cell phones in their trouser pockets and school bags. When we can’t deny the reality, why can’t we think of ways by which we can utilize cell phones to educate them.

We all know how easily children gets acquainted with gadgets nowadays and how fast they learn to operate cell phone technologies. So, definitely teaching them how to use the technology for learning won’t be a difficult task. Read this article to know some easy ways by which you can utilize mobile phone technology as a learning tool.

• There are various types of mobile apps that facilitates the use of cellphones in learning. There are some wonderful teacher apps like Evernote and Dropbox that helps teachers and students share notes, write-ups and photos so easily over the phone. Evernote allows you to take down text notes, share photos and even clip a web page. While Dropbox, also a cellphone app, lets you share documents, photos, etc with others by just putting them in the Dropbox.
• Another smarter way to use the mobile phone in classroom is by teachers who can record their lectures, be it an audio or a video and let students utilize them at their convenience. Save a lot of classroom time and let students utilise Youtube in the most appropriate way.
• One of the easiest and fastest ways for teachers to communicate with your students out of classroom is by a phone call. Its upto the teachers to find clever ways to get students start using cellphones more effectively for learning. Exchanging messages on homework and assignments can be made smooth using mobile phones.
• Teachers and students can make use of different learning platforms available like the School Town and communicate with each other through chats and sharing learning fundamentals. This kind of platforms allows sharing materials from teachers to students.

Use of mobile phones in learning: The problems

Every student can’t be expected to possess a mobile phone; but this problem can be met with a solution. Forming students group with a single cell phone can work out and can help in reporting out and delivering in any message to teachers. Besides, there might be connectivity problem, particularly when students go out of wireless network area. Most schools don’t offer wireless connection in school premises and most students tend not to use providers signal. In this case too, teachers can rely on group works where one student with proper connectivity can communicate with teachers on behalf of his group.

Above all, the main task of teachers is to teach students how to make the right use of cell phones for learning. It is the responsibility of the teacher to guide students to proper usage of mobile technology without being victims of sexting, cyberbullying and other cyber crimes.