August Newsletter

Blended Learning Department

In this issue:

Welcome back message from the Blended Learning Department
Did you Know? Highlighting District Resources
Blended Learning Best Practices Document
Monthly focus: Communication (ideas and tips)
Communication: Students, families, colleagues

Monthly checklist (videos you may need now)
Communication-specific resources
Blended Learning Network
BL Resources
Communication Challenge: Chance to win!

Welcome to the 23-24 School Year

On behalf of the Blended Learning Department we want to welcome you as we ride into the 23-24 school year. Whether you are new to Guilford County Schools or are returning for another year, we welcome you to join us on a fun field trip to an amusement park. Each monthly blended learning newsletter will focus on an aspect of visiting an amusement park, while also providing you with timely ideas and support for incorporating blended learning into your instruction.

We wish you an amazing school year filled with adventure and growth. Please reach out if we can support you along the way.

-The Blended Learning Team

The Blended Learning Department has a public facing Canvas course with resources for all of the applications we support. On this course, you will be able to access videos and guides to assist you with using each platform. To access the course, use this link.

What Does Blended Learning Look Like?

When going to an amusement park there are so many options and choices. One has to consider not only which amusement park to go to, but also has to be very intentional about selecting which rides to go on. It's important to take into account the length of the lines, how close/far the ride is, where it is in relationship to other rides you want to go on, and how much you want to ride it.

Blended Learning is really just good instruction where we intentionally and purposefully select technology that will enhance the lesson or the standards being taught. Blended Learning is not all about the tech. It's how the technology can lift and support the solid instruction already taking place. It should make learning easier for the student and life easier for the teacher.

Blended Learning Best Practices.pdf

The "Blended Learning Best Practices" document!

This document helps define blended learning in Guilford County Schools. It breaks down blended learning into four focus areas:

1. Culture and Communication

2. Ownership and Agency

3. Differentiation

4. Rigor/Mastery

We will spotlight each of these focus areas in our monthly newsletter.

What do I do?

Select best practice recommendations to implement in your classroom immediately.
Consider using a blended learning model as a key strategy to help students achieve mastery.

Where do I start?

~Start small

~Pick an area of improvement

~ Set a S.M.A.R.T goal

Blended Learning Focus: Communication with Students/Parents

Communication is a critical factor to consider as you plan your trip to the amusement park. As a teacher/leader it is important to build relationships with your students and colleagues as this will help as you plan your Field Trip to the amusement park (i.e. school year). One way to do this is to set clear expectations and procedures so that all can be successful. Clear communication and a strong rapport with stakeholders will help them to meet and achieve the high expectations and goals that are set for this year's journey.

Here are a few things to consider as you look at building communication this year. Effective communication starts on DAY 1.

Blended Learning Focus: Communication with Colleagues

Another way to do this is to network with colleagues not only at your school but at other schools across the county. Reflectivity, formally known as SWIVL, is a great resource to use for this. It allows topics to be created (ex. 7th grade math, AP Bio, etc.) and then reflections to occur. Users can follow topics for assistance and guidance as they move throughout the year. Think of this as the Facebook or TikTok channel for the amusement park you are planning to visit with your group. These social media groups allow for easier planning and provide a place for Q & A dialogue much like that of Reflectivity.

Here are a few things to consider as you look at building communication this year. Effective communication starts on DAY 1.

Monthly Checklist

Consider...

Importing the GCS Course Shell into Canvas
Setting up your homepage tabs in Canvas
Linking "This Week's" assignments
Google Forms to collect student/caretaker information (Microsoft Forms can be used as well)
Sending home instructions on how to create a Canvas Parent Observer Account.
Creating announcements in Canvas to keep parents and students informed of upcoming due dates and important events.

Communication-Specific Resources (*While these resources are free, they are not district-supported).

Blended Learning Network

Information regarding the Blended Learning Network will be sent to principals in the next weeks. We are looking for 2 representatives from each school to serve as a blended learning liaison for their school. If interested, please let your principal know.

Resources

BL Resource Website: Visit our website for all things blended learning. Locate your blended learning specialist, find out about our virtual course offerings,

District-Provided Tools Database: Want to know what digital resources we have for you? Check out the district's Air Table. You can filter to find the information you need.

Resources Document for Best Practices: If you like the Blended Learning Look-for document but feel like you need to know more, please check out our resource page that directly aligns with each of the blended learning focus areas.

Digital Learning Resources Canvas Page: Need help with one of our GCS district-provided resources? Visit our digital learning resource page to find video tutorials and instructional guides on anything from Swivl to Canvas.

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Communication Challenge

How do you setup effective communication practices in your classroom?

Please submit a screenshot of one of the following to THIS LINK. Once you submit your screenshot, you will automatically be entered into a drawing for a prize.
- - - - Setup of your favorite application that you use to communicate with students and caregivers.
        Survey that you created with your GCS account in Microsoft or Google Forms to gather student and caregiver contact information.
        Canvas announcement/Homepage setup showing your contact information and ways caregivers and students can communicate with you.

Last Day to submit your Communication Challenge entry is Wednesday, August 30th.

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Blended Learning Network: Use #GCSBLN