My Innovation Plan

Blended learning

Education is going through drastic changes due to the revolution of technology. Online classes, hybrid classes, and a plethora of learning sites aids towards establishing learning. Personalized learning is one of several trends resurfacing in a new way, thanks to the technology that has recently become more readily available to students. This form, personalized learning in which students do not necessarily have to rely on classroom instruction alone. Eduphoria, Prodigy, and Brain Pop are interactive sites used to enhance the way students at the elementary level enhance learning. Being capable to learn outside of a classroom setting grants our students with power and control. This is what we want, taking ownership of individualized learning in a fun yet productive manner. My innovation plan will focus primarily on a new concept of learning, which is, Blended Learning.

Implementing blended learning in 3rd grade classrooms

Our students and parents are aware of the rapid change technology presents. Plenty of working-class adults partake in online learning. Being exposed to various ways of learning creates an understanding at the educational level. Just as adults and students are experiencing changes, parents expect their children to receive the same exposure at the elementary level to further their children towards advancement. In order to stay relevant and fully engage our students, 3rd grade classes need to be employing the latest strategies and methods, unafraid to go where credible research directs us. Our 3rd grade classrooms have minimal access to programs that could transform traditional instructional methods with an up-to date method of educating our students. Dismantling the concept of lecture-style, teaching centered classrooms, which has proven to be ineffective should be avoided. Every child does not learn the same and a blended environment aids to every need within the classroom. Promoting active engagement with resources enhances the way instruction is given. Glorifying teacher centered instruction is the wrong approach. Kids learn more in a fun yet comfortable environment.

If students are not comfortable, they could lose confidence towards what’s being taught. Once this happens, disconnection from information arises. As a result, students become disengaged, acting out in numerous ways can occur and the balance of the class becomes unstable. This should be avoided at all cost. Providing meaningful connections must remain consistent. We must gain their attention and not lose it in the process.

A collaborative, personalized environment in which the student has a voice and a choice leads to empowerment and success. We need to apply the mindset of growth, engagement, mastery and success for all students by allowing for personalization in their learning. Implementing the blended learning concept will give students options. The more options readily available, increases their chances of learning tremendously. For example, a teacher wanting students to conduct a research project on the planet Neptune. Instead of the requirement being an at home project, students can work on it at school, home, library, or anywhere they feel comfortable. Also, issuing a guideline or specific time frame will keep students on task and have the project done in a timely manner. Conducting daily classroom discussions towards the project will keep students on task as well. As this occurs, students are ready to work. It’s up to them how they learn and discover new information. This can be done by books, internet, or small groups. Technology steps in to do the personalized tracking and delivery of information which keeps them on track and reflects to them their actual progress and true level of understanding.  This allows for deeper, more reflective learning to take place, which is the key to mastery. Either way, the choice is up to them. I propose that we should bring the values of choice, ownership, voice and authenticity as well as personalization and collaboration in the classroom in such a way that it becomes the very fabric of the environment in which they learn. The layout of our classrooms should symbolize student-centeredness. By giving students the freedom to learn in various ways at home and school, students will take ownership of their learning. As kids learn off campus in a home setting, they can take that information and use it in a classroom discussion setting. Students will double their learning time within a single day. Multiply that times five for a school week and students have learned in one week what others have learned in two weeks.

This form of blended learning is also called a “flipped classroom.” Doubling the learning time in one day compared to two days. Students learn on their own every day, but if we make it enjoyable with groups and peer interaction, they won’t feel like it’s a chore to learn. By making learning enjoyable, students will not realize they’re learning because the fun factor outweighs the chore of learning factor. Most importantly, students are learning on campus and off campus. They will become eager to arrive on campus because they will have the chance to illustrate what has been learned off campus and share it with their peers or groups in a classroom setting. 

Applying the COVA method into a blended learning classroom

Delivering the COVA method with choice, ownership, voice, and authenticity in correlation with a blended learning environment should be the stepping stone for success in our 3rd grade classrooms. Eliminating “teacher centered” and focus on “student centered” learning is the primary objective. Facilitating the class is needed to establish a well-rounded learning environment.

Pointing out to students by making them understand how everyone should take pride and ownership in their work is important. This will instill the confidence that each individual student in our 3rd grade classroom needs in order to master the content presented. Some students can lose confidence in their work if the focus remains on one style of teaching and learning. Blended learning alongside the COVA method is the best of both worlds: it applies the principles of online learning – with its’ instant feed-back, progress tracking, self-directed pacing and 24-hour access to information – to a real brick and mortar classroom where the students can receive guidance, practice, encouragement, and learn the crucial skills of collaboration and cooperation with choice and ownership. This format will break barriers subconsciously, in return, the learner will be receptive to encoding what’s presented. Also, this method of blended learning will create a sense of eagerness. Kids will be eager to learn and display what has been mentally accumulated. They will develop a voice and project onto others in an authentic and meaningful manner. With modern technology, we will have a chance to customize and constantly know how they are progressing, thus helping them to chart a course that feels right for them and meet their needs. Technology becomes a tool that works for us and the blended classroom approach prevents any students from repeating a grade level or ending their year without having mastered the basics.

Blended classrooms with the COVA method applied towards understanding, empowers students to be at the center of the learning experience. This will lead to collaborative learning. The excitement of learning and illustrating what has been learned to their peers is what we should encourage. This is preparing them to function properly in a social setting. Some students are more outgoing than others, overtime, all kids will evolve to the same learning level at their own pace. By explaining the COVA method step by step, students will learn how to implement those strategies into daily work.

We can flourish   

It’s surely impossible these days to instruct without the use of technology, but there’s still a range from less to more. A physical classroom with a whiteboard and worksheets is on the low end of this spectrum, while an online classroom with VoIP and electronic books and virtual labs is realistically at the other end. Blending provides peer interaction with other students using technology. Feedback is generated instantly with just about any learning program provided. Instruction provided by the Educator while guiding students in the right direction makes this style of teaching and learning undeniable. Collaboration amongst peers, teacher involvement, and student-centered instruction is the perfect combination to make learning enjoyable. This presents a relaxed atmosphere in which everyone can benefit from. Students can customize their learning, move on base on progress and mastery, and receive the support and personalization which had previously only been available to those in more exclusive school settings. Such settings are provided in private school settings as opposed to public schools. This is now an issue of the past. Public schools are granted the same opportunities compared to private schools on a larger scale thanks to the Blended Learning method.  

Research has shown that all types of students benefit from this type of project-based, active learning.  The strongest students can achieve more and remain challenged, while the weaker students can also achieve satisfying results but at their own pace.  The technology really is only a tool – the methodology and pedagogy behind the blended, active and student-centered learning is what is transformational.  The technology allows the teacher the freedom to implement all of this.  Informational and communicative technologies were also found to be motivational and attract students who otherwise might disengage and even leave school.

Building student compatibility by allowing higher functioning students to naturally help lower functioning students will create bonds that can be utilized towards lifelong learning. If this is allowed, as it should, students helping others improve the way they work together as a unit. Kids have a way of dealing with one another, especially when being helpful. Sometimes, learners are more receptive to their counterparts, opposed to an adult. The fear of disappointing the educator is eliminated. In return, both teacher and student benefit from peer interaction. The child rendering aid takes on responsibility and the other learns how to listen and follow leads. Ultimately, a bond is produced, and kids grow closer together. By doing so, they learn how to trust one another. A blended atmosphere is generally learning within learning, as this occurs, the learning possibilities are endless. We need this at the 3rd grade level, especially knowing that this is the beginning level of STARR testing. Students have been going through mental preparation at the lower levels for this moment and will continue STARR testing until they receive their diploma. Therefore, it’s important that schools be prepared to back up their adoption of technology with a very thorough, supportive and ongoing professional training program for teachers.  Without the proper coaching, mentoring and training, teachers will not bring this innovation into the classrooms and students will not reach their full potential of learning in preparation of the STARR test. In order to bring about the change our students need and remain relevant in today’s educational transition, teachers need the support of their administrations to help them move forward. Implementation and planning are the foundation of making Blended Learning attainable. We need every resource available to ensure our 3rd graders can master this test as well as other aspects of learning.   

Management within a blended learning environment  

We can utilize Learning Management Systems in a 3rd grade setting to assess how well a learner is doing. By utilizing tests and quizzes, educators can gain knowledge of how well each student is learning. Also, they can make necessary adjustments in order to bring others up to speed, but at the learner’s pace, not forcefully. If one learner is behind the rest, action can be established to prevent a student from slipping too far behind.

Over time, different tests will use different methods, and nobody will get left behind. It’s natural for a student to not admit that they have fallen behind. They do not want to be ashamed in front of their peers. Blended learning minimizes this effect. With test results and data at hand, learners can be reached privately and given suggestions on how to improve. One-on-one can be arranged until the learner is up to speed as well.

The time is now

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All students, no matter their age learn differently. Teaching methods and approach should drastically reflect towards student centered learning. Designing such instructional styles in a way that reaches visual, auditory and kinetic learners alike is deemed necessary. Establishing changes from teacher-centered, factory set-up classes to a more fluid, collaborative and student-centered approach will give our 3rd graders a fighting chance in the educational system. If allowed, we can reach students with better with technology, blended learning, and COVA to master the STARR test and prepare students for a life-long learning experience. This is our overall goal, allowing students to choose, actively participate, and ultimately own their learning. This method will bring out the best in them and in us together.

With the heavy integration of technology, we’ll be able to improve teaching, information retention, engagement, responsibility and (most importantly) enjoyment. Blended learning should be the pinnacle of educational instruction and learning. This is the type of education worth working for and I invite you to join me in actively participating in this exciting shift towards creating a more engaging, personal experience for our students by employing blended learning within student-centered classrooms. Every resource matter in aiding our students on the path of mastery. This format of learning is the perfect way to attain an empowering learning experience.

Horn, M. B., & Staker, H. (2015). Blended: Using disruptive innovation to improve schools. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.