Designing Blended Learning Experiences
I've had an interest in blended learning for a long time. The use of digital technologies provides us all with the ability to access and produce information in a variety of ways, e.g. video, photos, interactive websites, apps and text. Digital technologies also enable learning to be accessible to all learners - language or a disability is not a barrier to learning.
Initially, when introduced to digital technology (or ICT as it was known to be 10 years ago), my class and I were allocated 40 minutes once a week to visit our ICT room. It was a case of let's go and use a computer to learn maths or literacy in an interactive way for 20 minutes - because let's be honest, it took the other 20 minutes for my 7 year olds to line up, walk across to the other side of the school, get their swivel chair to the correct height and log on to the computer. For many teachers, this often became too difficult and unfortunately, some reduced their visits to the ICT room, especially if difficulties with the hardware and network were also added to the mix.
Today, I was able to attend Digital Technologies PD, that was organised by the Connected Learning Advisory/Te Ara Whītiki. I had not personally signed up for this seminar, so I was curious about the contents and what I would learn.
My morning workshop unpacked digital citizenship, digital literacy and digital fluency. I was heavily involved in learning around digital citizenship five years ago at my previous school as we ventured down the road of GAFE and BYOD. My questions were - "Had our thinking changed in any way and what was the difference between digital fluency and digital literacy?"
The first activity required us to think of all the ways that we use digital technology in our daily lives.
Today, I was able to attend Digital Technologies PD, that was organised by the Connected Learning Advisory/Te Ara Whītiki. I had not personally signed up for this seminar, so I was curious about the contents and what I would learn.
My morning workshop unpacked digital citizenship, digital literacy and digital fluency. I was heavily involved in learning around digital citizenship five years ago at my previous school as we ventured down the road of GAFE and BYOD. My questions were - "Had our thinking changed in any way and what was the difference between digital fluency and digital literacy?"
The first activity required us to think of all the ways that we use digital technology in our daily lives.
This highlighted the fact that digital technology is all around us so even the computer-shy should understand that they are users of digital technology - one day the user of a wringer washing machine, the next, an electronic machine. That's what technology is all about. Making a change to meet the need and making our lives a little easier.
Further links to explore:
- Digital Citizenship - Resources to support schools
- Designing Blended Learning - A sandpit of activities to explore and use.
- How Kawakawa Primary are using blogs for learning - Ashton's Blog
How has technology changed my life... how has it changed the life of an educator - or learner?
No comments:
Post a Comment