Managing a Blended Learning Classroom

Maintaining a 21st-Century Classroom Environment Tips

Rules/expectations

  • Clear and visible expectations and guidelines
  • Encourage respect, productivity, professionalism, and active participation
  • Teacher-student partnership


Technology norms

  • Visible and accessible
  • Encourage and support digital citizenship, the use of appropriate and professional use of technology, respect for others learning
  • Use of online or paper based ticket system for reporting technical difficulties and technical assistance request
  • Naming and organizing files of individuals and teams
  • Technology assistant role to help other team members



Attention-getting signals

  • Count down
  • 3-2-1
  • Hands up
  • Clapping
  • Specific spot

Student accountability

  • Assign roles to each team member. (lead engineer, resource manager, and a reporter)
  • A contract is created, which describes, explains, and demonstrates responsibilities of each role.
  • Allow students to choose their own role and keep a copy of their contract for future reference of their responsibilities.
  • Reward system for students going above and beyond expectations


Student Engagement

  • Use random questioning to check for understanding
  • Use student's reflection on their performance and set goals for next lessons
  • Use different activities to support individual and group work.
  • Know and Need to Know chart
  • Match the different apps/games and hands-on activity


Individualized Learning

  • Use assessment to collect data on students areas of need, strengths, and interests
  • Teacher-student partnership to set goals and co-create learning experiences
  • Incorporate playlists and menus for students including different modes, activities, and demonstration of knowledge options
  • Meet with the student when they are ready, need to revise the goal, or request help
  • Provide face-to-face meetings to discuss growth, goals, and actions
  • Incorporate different types of formative and summative assessment as well as student reflection
  • Teach students to locate, analyze, and interpret their own data to track their progress and set goals

Collaboration

  • Communication protocol, taking turns, listening and respecting each other’s ideas
  • Use of a decision matrix to make decisions as teams.
  • All team members must have access to all documents and work for transparency.
  • Expected to solve their own problems as a team first, but a facilitator is also available if needed.
  • If a controversial issue needs to be resolved, it will also be documented by the team for future reference.
  • Breakout rooms are also available as needed.
  • Communicate and collaborate with parents, students, and colleagues via face-to-face, virtual meetings, email, website, text, and through apps reports.