Digital Platforms
Choosing a platform for blended learning
To set up your class for distance or blended learning, you will first need to determine the mode in which the learning will occur. Do you want to meet with your learners synchronously online or provide them with lessons and assessments to complete in a specific time frame? You can do both with most platforms.
Click on the image above to access detailed information on each platform.
Case Study A
A large mixed post-primary school in Munster is using Google Classroom for flipped learning. Teachers create pre-recorded videos to introduce a new concept which are then consolidated once learners are back in the classroom.
This approach allows the different circumstances of the teachers and learners to be taken into account as the asynchronous element of this method allows learners to learn at their own time, place, path or pace.
Learners benefit from being able to rewatch a video as many times as necessary, pausing it to take notes or to do further research on the topic.
Case Study B
A large post-primary school in Leinster is using Office 365 and Microsoft Teams extensively to engage with learners. This includes live video conferencing as well as assigning and correcting learners’ work.
The school has adjusted its approach based on feedback from teachers as to what is working best and the principal emails staff with tips as they emerge.
Teachers can see when learners have viewed or completed the assigned work and can provide confidential feedback to each learner.
Considerations when choosing a platform
A whole school approach should be taken when using a digital platform. You may already have a platform at your school which you use for staff emails for example. Could other aspects of that platform be utilised for blended learning?
Staff competency with technology. You will find a range of tutorials to help staff up skill on the PDST Distance Learning Page. As well as this, TeacherCPD.ie run free term time courses on online learning.
Many different platforms are available but some work better for different class levels. Take a look at the PDST Distance Learning Page section on Platforms to find out more.
Parental consent is necessary when setting up accounts for learners under the age of 16. This could be sought remotely by sending out a Google Form or Office 365 sign-up form via email.
For GDPR requirements, please see https://gdpr4schools.ie and http://www.dataprotectionschools.ie/en/
Expectations on learner-teacher interactions should be clearly understood. It is best to be consistent with this. This should be documented in your AUP Policy. Information can be found on the Webwise website and should be updated to reflect the school's current blended learning approach.
Synchronous learning
Synchronous online learning entails live online lessons (real time) or experiences. Learners and parents need to be informed of the schedule prior to class time and have access to the necessary technology to engage in the online lesson. Teachers would prepare for this experience just as they do for an in-person class experience, using online platforms such as Cisco WebEx, Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype etc. You will find information on these tools below.
Asynchronous learning
Asynchronous online learning experiences are not in real time. In this way, learners complete learning activities at time, place, path or pace that suits them. This usually entails teachers creating content such as video lessons or learning paths that learners can watch or work through at home. These resources and experiences are then developed upon in school by the teacher and other learners via the Flipped Classroom model. You can find out more about the Flipped Classroom model by clicking the link below. Alternatively, after a teacher has taught a new concept in the classroom, videos or learning paths could be used as consolidation or extension materials when set by teachers for use by learners at home as part of the Enriched Virtual model. You can find out more about this model by clicking the link below.