January Newsletter

Blended Learning Department

In this issue:

Self-Reflection: Taking a Moment
Did you Know? Canvas Reminders
Reflecting on Blended Learning goals
Best Practices: Self-Reflection (tips and ideas)
Monthly checklist: Try something new!

Monthly Digital Citizenship Focus
BL Resources
December Challenge Winner
January Reflection Challenge: Chance to win!

Self-Reflection: Taking a Moment

Happy New Year! Welcome to this month’s Blended Learning Newsletter! As we all continue to adapt and grow in our teaching practices, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. But what if we took a moment to slow down and find joy in the process of self-reflection? In this issue, we’re diving into how taking time to reflect—not just on what students are learning, but how they’re learning—can bring a sense of fulfillment and excitement back into the classroom. By weaving in reflection as both a personal and shared experience, we create space for growth, deeper understanding, and a renewed passion for teaching. Let’s explore together how to make self-reflection a joyful part of the journey, using a blend of thoughtful strategies and technology to enrich the learning experience for everyone.

Did You Know?--Canvas Reminders

Did you know that it is best to sync your grades for progress reports and report card time a little early? Syncing the week before can help avoid longer wait times due to a heavier volume of people and also allows time to seek help for any sync errors that may occur.

End of Semester Canvas reminders for Semester Courses:

Teachers will have read-only access to their courses. Teachers will not be able to adjust content and grades, but for as long as they are enrolled in the course, they will still be able to export the course content when needed.
Remember to use the “share content” button within current Canvas course to transfer content into courses for next semester (if desired).

All concluded Courses that have not been favorited will be removed from the Dashboard, but they can be accessed in Past Enrollments. Note: You can “star” (prior to end of semester) courses for them to remain on the dashboard
Beginning- & End-of-Course Checklist

Reflecting on our Blended Learning Goals

Whether you have been dabbling in some blended learning best practice or you have mastered all of your blended learning goals, now is the perfect time to create a new blended learning plan for semester 2.

If you haven't set any blended learning goals for the second-half of the year follow these steps:

1) Review the Blended Learning Best Practices Document. Is there an area that you would like to work on? Does one stand out as an area for improvement?

2) If yes, skip to step 3. If no, complete this Blended Learning Self-Evaluation Form. It will help bring to light in which focus area you could grow the most.

3) Now that you have identified the focus area, it is time to select some best practices to work on that will support that focus area. Please complete this blended learning plan. An example plan can be found HERE.

Best Practices: Self-Reflection

Over the last couple of months we have investigated all of the Blended Learning focus areas and now it is time to reflect on our journey. Whether it be photos, video, or a light conversation that we have documented our experience on, it is important to think about the good times, the bumps in the road, and what we would do differently moving forward in our day.

In the article "The Role of Self Reflection in Teacher Effectiveness" Amanda Fuechtmann states "According to the Cambridge Dictionary, self-reflection is "the activity of thinking about your own feelings and behavior and the reasons that may lie behind them." While many individuals acknowledge the importance of self-reflection in their personal lives, some may wonder how this action can improve interactions in the classroom. The act of self-reflection allows teachers to recognize recurring patterns in their teaching to focus on what is most effective, avoid complacency, gain the ability to act more intentionally, and identify areas of improvement."

Here are a few things to consider as you look at self-reflecting on your teaching practices:

Try a New Idea

THIS or THAT choice board: Example1, Example 2: website (free template from website)
Checkout and use the VR Kits to take your students on a virtual reality expedition. Here is the list of expeditions. You can sign up to check out a VR Kit here.
Take your class on a virtual field trip using Google Earth (tutorial). Start by using some already created virtual field trips.
Create your own or have students create their own infographics, flyers, avatars, etc. using AdobeExpress, located in Clever.

Monthly Digital Citizenship Lessons

January Citizenship Theme: We know the power of words and actions.

As the line between online and offline continues to blur, students will reflect on how they can use intrapersonal and interpersonal skills to build and strengthen positive online communication and communities. Lessons on this topic will explore common digital stressors and their influences on relationships. Students will also gain an understanding of how to communicate effectively online and how and why some topics and conversations can best lend themselves to certain mediums. Read more about this topic on the Common Sense Education website.

Monthly activities to teach digital citizenship are available on the Guilford is Cyber Safe website.

Congratulations to Jessica Runtz at Brown Summit Middle School for being our December Challenge winner! Ms. Runtz submitted a goal setting form that she has students complete. She has won a coupon from Autobell, for a free car wash, valued at $26 and a free cake square from Dewey's Bakery. We are grateful to all of our partners for their generous donations:

Dewey's Bakery, Friendly Center

Autobell, New Garden Rd.

Resources

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

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.

Best Practices Document: Learn about the four focus areas of Blended Learning and the models to make it all happen.

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.

✨January Reflection Challenge✨

Reflecting on your teaching practices and providing students with feedback that promotes self-reflection is key to growing and being successful. Complete one of the following tasks and email Jessica Lamberth (lamberj2@gcsnc.com) a screenshot to be entered into this months challenge.
- - - - Post comments on student assignments in SpeedGrader to give productive feedback. Please submit a screenshot of one of your comments you provided to a student on their work in SpeedGrader. Be sure to blackout or crop any information that would identify the student. Once you submit your screenshot, you will automatically be entered into a drawing for a prize.
        New year self reflection discussion board in Canvas. Have your students respond to a discussion board topic where you have them self reflect and self evaluate their progress in your class up until this point. Respond to their posts with feedback to help set goals for the remainder of the school year.
        Complete this Blended Learning Self-Evaluation Form. It will help bring to light in which focus area you could grow the most. Now that you have identified the focus area, it is time to select some best practices to work on that will support that focus area. Please complete this blended learning plan. An example plan can be found HERE. Send a screenshot of your blended learning plan.

*** Last Day to submit your Reflection Challenge entry is Wednesday, January 29th.***

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