What is Blended Learning?

Blended learning is an education program (formal or non-formal) that combines online digital media with traditional classroom methods. It requires the physical presence of both teacher and student, with some element of student control over time, place, path, or pace.

Blended learning is a term increasingly used to describe the way e-learning is being combined with traditional classroom methods and independent study to create a new, hybrid teaching methodology. It represents a much greater change in basic technique than simply adding computers to classrooms; it represents, in many cases, a fundamental change in the way teachers and students approach the learning experience.

A Learning Model in Three Parts

There is a general consensus among education innovators that blended learning has three primary components:

        •         In-person classroom activities facilitated by a trained educator.

•         Online learning materials, often including pre-recorded lectures given by that same instructor.

•         Structured independent study time guided by the material in the lectures and skills developed during the classroom experience.

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•         Classroom based audio-tape resources (language laboratories);

•         Auditorium multimedia visual resources (movie projectors, slideshows, VCRs);

•         Textual resources: textbooks, exercise books

•         Home-learning resources (video & audio recordings);

•         Blackboard and whiteboard resources, including high-tech "printing whiteboards" and "online whiteboards";

•         Demonstration resources, including "museum exhibits", "laboratory experiments", live theatre, historic re-enactment, hands-on workshops, role-playing, etc;

•         Non-instructional education resources, such as examination, quizzes, invigilation, test- grading, etc.

Blended learning redefining teaching roles

In some situations, the move to blended learning has inspired educators to redefine traditional roles. The word “facilitator” has emerged as an alternative to “teacher,” bringing with it a slightly different focus. The facilitator places an emphasis on empowering students with the skills and knowledge required to make the most of the online material and independent study time, guiding students toward the most meaningful experience possible.

Facilitatos focus on four key areas

Development of online and offline course content.

Facilitation of communication with and among students online.

Guiding the learning experience of individual students, and customizing material wherever possible to strengthen the learning experience.

Assessment and grading.

By putting an emphasis on learning through supervised activities,

How Do I Blend My Learning?

O Blogs, Wikis and online Discussion Formats

        O Students can post and answer questions on these platforms to expand on topics in class

O Webquests (Webquest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web. These can be created using various programs, including a simple word processing document that includes links to websites.)

O Guide students through a research project

O Many pre-made webquests online

O Flipped Classrooms (The flipped classroom is a pedagogical model in which the typical lecture and homework elements of a course are reversed. Short video lectures are viewed by students at home before the class session, while in-class time is devoted to exercises, projects, or discussions.)

O   Students complete the learning/lecture part outside the classroom and apply the knowledge in the classroom

O   Video on Flipped Learning

O   Here is an example with Geometry-Educreations on the iPad was used to create the video

O   Models: Simulations and Mind tools

O   Simulations are interactive technologies where students can move and change components without risk of messing something up or getting hurt

O   Mind tools allow students to show concepts they learn

O   Here is an example lesson using both

O   Additional simulations for the classroom

NO WAY! There are so many ways to use technology in the classroom to expand students’ learning. They love technology and it really differentiates learning. “Blended learning offers improved pedagogy, increased access to knowledge, and fostered social interaction between learners. Easy use of multiple modalities in blended learning approach provides better support for different learning styles among students” . Our students are our future. We need to prepare them to adapt and apply the skills they are learning to the tools they will be using.

Education Through ICT - Computer Assisted Instruction

Referred to as CAI, Term often used interchangeably with Computer-Based Instruction (CBI), Web Based Instruction (WBI), Computer-Assisted Learning (CAL), Computer-Enriched Instruction (CEI), and Web Based Training (WBT).

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is an interactive instructional technique whereby a computer is used to present the instructional material and monitor the learning that takes place.

Instructional software

Educational/Instructional software was first used as a tutoring tool for students in the 60s and 70s, but over the past 30 years, it has evolved into software that incorporates some or all of the five functions for helping students learn including drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, games, and problem solving. As you will find from the many examples in this Web site, it is difficult to define many of the instructional software packages into one category. Universities, software companies, and open source projects have all developed software for educational purposes that blends two or more of these five categories of instructional software.

Educational software is valuable to all ages of students for many reasons including making learning more fun, motivating students, helping with long-term memory of the material, and providing a thorough educational experience that incorporates many proven learning concepts into the curriculum.

Educational software no longer is thought to be a replacement for teachers, but a tool that helps teachers do a better job of teaching their students.

Methods of Delivery

⦿ Drill-and-Practice

⦿ Tutorial

⦿ Simulation Activities

⦿ Games

⦿ Discovery

⦿ Problem Solving

Drill-and-Practice: Opportunity for the learner to practice material an unlimited number of times., Material being practiced often presented before the training session, Best method for material that requires repeated practice to master (ex: multiplication tables)

This mode is like a drill / exercise. The program leads the learner through a series of examples to develop dexterity and fluency in using the skill. The student sits at a specially designed electric type writer which is connected to a computer by telephone lines. He identifies himself by a code number and his name. The machine types out the first question and the student responds. Soon the lesson is under way. The computer keeps track of each student's performance and can read back to the teacher a summation of each students work whenever the teacher wants it .Depending upon the program, the student might be referred to a branching type of remedial exercise. As in programmed instruction, the student moves at his own pace, gets immediate feedback and receives individual tutoring.

Drill and Practice is a computer -instruction technique in which a series of structured problems or exercises with immediate feedback to student responses. Students answer a question and get immediate feedback. Feedback can be simple as correct or incorrect.

Drill Practice provide children with practice on concept that they have already learned. Good Drill and Practice provides feedback and explain how to get the correct answer. Some contain student management systems that keep track of student progress.

Criteria for Selection Good (Drill and Practice Software).

When selecting a good instructional software well designed drill-and-practice programs should also meet specific criteria.

Control over the presentation rate:

Lets say that the question are not being timed ,students should then be allotted as much time to answer and examine the feedback before proceeding to later questions. A student usually signals readiness to go to the next question by simply pressing a key.

Answer Judging:

If the program allows student to write in short answer rather than selecting one ,a good drill program will be able to discriminate between correct and incorrect answers.

Appropriate feedback For Correct and Incorrect Answers:

If students feedback are timed, or if their sessions time is limited, they may find it more motivating simply to move quickly to the next question. When drills do give feedback, they must avoid two common errors. First Feedback must be simple and display quickly. First feedback must be tire of elaborate displays, and the feedback ceases to motivate them. Second, so programs inadvertently motivate students to get wrong answers by giving more exciting or interesting feedback for the wrong answer than for correct answers.

The most famous example of this design error occurred in an early version of a popular microcomputer-based math drill series. Each correct answer got a smiling face, but two or more wrong answer produces a full-screen, animated crying face that students found very

amusing. Consequently, many students tried to answer incorrectly to see it. The company corrected this flaw, but this classic error still exists today in other programs.

Characteristics of Drill and Practice Software :

1.  Presents items for students to answer.

2.  Gives feedback on correctness

3.  Sometimes gives explantion of why answers are incorrect.

Advantages of Drill and Practice Software :

Immediate Feedback :

The differences between pen and paper and drill and practice software is that when students uses pen and paper he/she may do their work, sometimes wrong and the issue that arise is that they will believe what is wrong is correct and may retain the information until it is corrected by the teacher. However the drill and practice allows the student to know immediately if the problems are accurate or not.

Motivation :

Some students may get fed-up doing practice exercises in paper, or just plain do not like writing a lot. Because of this using a computer may be a motivation to them to practice what they need.

Saving teachers Time:

Teachers are better able to manage their time, in the sense that some students can work in the drill and practice on particular subjects such as English, Maths Facts, SAT Skills, and Musical keys and functions, while the teacher can work or address other student needs in the classroom.

Group Work:

The computer can be used with a large number of students, making it time efficient way of conveying knowledge.

Learn at your space :

Assist the students to master their work at their own space.

Limitations/Disadvantages of Drill and Practice Software:

Perceived Misused :

Sometimes teachers may misuse the drill and practice. This occurs when the teacher uses it for introduction of new topics to the students instead of actually teaching them and allowing them to use the software to practice and reinforcing familiar work.

Criticism by constructivists: The drill and practice is seen as an outmoded approach to teaching. Boring: For some students the drill and practice is seen as boring, uninteresting and unappealing.

No connection to real world scenarios: It has no application in the students real world, rarely will the student make the connection with why these things are important.

Competition: This may encourage competition, which many which many western Educator may frown upon.

How Teachers can use Drill and Practice in Teaching :

It can be used to replace worksheets and homework exercises.

This becomes efficient to students who have problems in certain areas in their studies example Mathematics and Reading. The teacher has to go over the work as revision for the students to store it in their long term memory. However with the use of drill and Practice because of the immediate feedback, and self pacing it motivate the students and they are better able to practice required skills on the computer than on paper.

Used to prepare for test :

Drill and Practice Software can help a students in their weak subject area to prepare for their test.

Tutorial: Combines presentation of material with drill-and-practice, games, or a simulation to emphasize material and assist in learning Most popular method of Computer Assisted Instruction

In tutorial model information is presented in small units followed by a question. The student response is analyzed by the computer and appropriate feedback is given. The subject matter is literally taught by the computer program. Explanations are given orally through audiotape and needed visuals presented in cathode ray tube as in television. The student responds on a type writer keyboard or by pointing on the screen with a light pen. The computer reacts to students response by talking to him Student makes further response. A kind of dialogue takes place between student and machine.

Games: Games use the instructional material to create a contest for the learner. The learner can compete against his own personal best, the computer, or other learners while mastering the material

Simulation: Provides a real-life scenario with the material to be learned being applied as it would in the real world. Simulation provides safety of learning environment

Simulations are educational software tools that simulate the "live" learning experience for students. Examples of the types of learning environments to  be simulated are a chemistry experiment, operation of an automobile or airplane, or biology or medical procedures. Students use simulations in place of the live experience usually in advance of the simulated activity. The use of simulations saves money and replaces activities that might be not practical or may be even dangerous until the student learns the activity. Simulations usually allow many different students the opportunity to participate in the simulated activity an unlimited number of times in order to master the activity before participating with the actual activity they are learning.

Discovery: Provides the learner with an opportunity to draw his own conclusions. Presents learner with a wealth of material on a topic and allows the learner to seek answers on his own.

Problem Solving: Problem solving presents material in such a way as to develop problem solving rationale. Mainly used in children to develop problem solving skills

Educational software that provides an environment for recalling information, sequencing, analyzing, organizing, predicting outcomes, and formulating ideas is probably classified as problem solving educational software. This sounds like allot of characteristics for a learning environment, which is exactly why it is difficult to classify software as problem solving type. Many integrated educational software packages incorporate problem solving as part of an overall learning environment, and might be combined with drills, simulations, and tutorials all in one package. Like many educational software packages, problem solving software is difficult to define, but usually requires students to do exactly what the name says, which is solve complex problems related to the learning activity. Problem solving software helps students learn a sequence of events that leads to the solution, and is often included in math and science educational software packages. Problem solving software is motivational and improves the interest of the subject for students, but it is often difficult to measure its effectiveness and can sometimes frustrate students

who have difficulties reaching the final solution. Problem solving software can provide both an objectivist or constructivist environment depending on the software's activities and approach to learning.

CAI: The learner generally engaged in two-way interaction with the computer via terminal.

CAL is the activity where teaching and learning in any part of the curriculum are aided by some application of the computer. The role of the computer can be as a teaching aid, or it can be more student-centered.

A typical CAI installation consists of individual learning booths, each with a console. The student is seated. Facing him on the console is a television screen for displaying information. Before he starts a program the student checks in with the computer by displaying his identity number. This connects him with his part of the learning program. A complete package of information stored in the system is presented sequentially. This information could take the form of video tape recordings, slides, motion picture films, film strips etc. The student may question the computer and feed answers into it by means of a typewriter key board. The computer responds by printing out comments, answers and questions. Sometimes, the student may write directly on the cathode ray tube display screen with a light pen. His answer will be picked up by the computer and evaluated. When he has finished, the computer assigns him the next program, records his progress and prints out a report for his teacher. The CAI starts by identifying the way a student seems to learn best. It reviews his past history of learning and then presents a program built on his strength. Sometimes the computer stores all the information gained from all students who have taken the course previously. This information may be re-analyzed and much of the teaching strategies which were not effective may be rejected and strategies which have succeeded may be continued.

Tools for Designing CAI

⦿ Text

⦿ Audio

⦿ Video

⦿ Multiple-choice

⦿ Problems

⦿ Immediate Feedback

⦿ Exercises

⦿ Tests

⦿ Chat sessions

⦿ Webcams

Pros of Computer Assisted Instruction

⦿ One-on-one interaction

⦿ Freedom to experiment with learning options

⦿ Immediate Feedback

⦿ Self-pacing

⦿ Privacy for shy/slow learners

⦿ Learners have been found to learn more and more rapidly

⦿ Multimedia provides a variety of formats to present difficult material

⦿ Self-directed learning allows learners to decide when, where and what to learn

Cons of Computer Assisted Instruction

⦿ Learner may feel overwhelmed at the volume of material presented

⦿ Overuse of multimedia can detract from intended learning objectives

⦿ Inability to ask a “person” a question when material is not understood

⦿ Equipment can malfunction

⦿ Lack of good CAI packages or lack of infrastructure to deliver CAI What Kind of Learners Benefit?

⦿ Independent

⦿ Self-motivated

⦿ Enjoy receiving frequent feedback

What Kind of Learners Need Tailored CAI Tools?

⦿ Less motivated learners

⦿ Those who require a lot of human interaction

⦿ Learners who are distracted easily some CAI sites for you to check

⦿ http://www.inspiration.com/

⦿ http://www.aplusmath.com/

⦿ http://www.coolmath4kids.com/

Powerpoint Presentation

PowerPoint is a presentation program developed by Microsoft. It is included in the standard Office suite along with Microsoft Word and Excel. The software allows users to create anything from basic slide shows to complex presentations.

PowerPoint is often used to create business presentations, but can also be used for educational or informal purposes. The presentations are comprised of slides, which may contain text, images, and other media, such as audio clips and movies. Sound effects and animated transitions can also be included to add extra appeal to the presentation. However, overusing sound effects and transitions will probably do more to annoy your audience than draw their attention. (Yes, we have all heard the car screeching noise enough times for one lifetime.)

Most PowerPoint presentations are created from a template, which includes a background color or image, a standard font, and a choice of several slide layouts. Changes to the template can be saved to a "master slide," which stores the main slide theme used in the presentation. When changes are made to the master slide, such as choosing a new background image, the changes are propagated to all the other slides. This keeps a uniform look among all the slides in the presentation.

When presenting a PowerPoint presentation, the presenter may choose to have the slides change at preset intervals or may decide to control the flow manually. This can be done using the mouse, keyboard, or a remote control. The flow of the presentation can be further customized by having slides load completely or one bullet at a time. For example, if the presenter has several bullet points on a page, he might have individual points appear when he clicks the mouse. This allows more interactivity with the audience and brings greater focus to each point.

PowerPoint provides three types of movements:

1. Entrance, emphasis, and exit of elements on a slide itself are controlled by what PowerPoint calls Custom Animations.

2. Transitions, on the other hand, are movements between slides. These can be animated in a variety of ways.

3. Custom animation can be used to create small story boards by animating pictures to enter, exit or move.

PowerPoint provides numerous features that offer flexibility and the ability to create a professional presentation. One of the features provides the ability to create a presentation that includes music which plays throughout the entire presentation or sound effects for particular slides. In addition to the ability to add sound files, the presentation can be designed to run, like a movie, on its own. PowerPoint allows the user to record the slide show with narration and a laser pointer. The user may customize slide shows to show the slides in a different order than originally designed and to have slides appear multiple times. Microsoft also offers the ability to broadcast the presentation to specific users via a link and Windows Live.

Prezi Presentation

Prezi is a cloud-based (SaaS) presentation software and storytelling tool for presenting ideas on a virtual canvas. The product employs a zooming user interface (ZUI), which allows users to zoom in and out of their presentation media, and allows users to display and navigate through information within a 2.5D or parallax 3D space on the Z-axis. Prezi was officially established in 2009 by co-founders Adam Somlai-Fischer, Peter Halacsy and Peter Arvai.

Prezi is used at Oregon State University, as well as at the Dwight School and elsewhere in primary education and higher education. It can be used by teachers and students to collaborate on presentations with multiple users having access and the ability to edit the same presentation, and to allow students to construct and present their knowledge in different learning styles. The product is also being used in e-learning and edutainment. However note that Prezi is considered by Web2Access to be an 'inaccessible service'. Educators have been advised that Prezi is not ADA/508 compliant and that an accessible PowerPoint version of the presentation should be provided online for students where a Prezi has been used.