More About Blended Learning

Previously, I talked about Blended Learning and how you can utilize Twitter search to find content and ideas for Blended Learning in the classroom.  Blended Learning is not necessarily a new concept, however the practical use of Blended Learning in the classroom (and outside) may be a new idea.  Educators from around the world are coming to the understanding that with the use of technologies administered appropriately, student learning and engagement can grow tremendously.  Understanding what Blended Learning is is the first step to allowing us to utilize this method in our own classroom experiences effectively.

Edutopia has several resources on this topic [Side note: If you have not visited the Edutopia site, you are missing out on a very valuable resource].

Here is a collection of 9 short videos explaining what Blended Learning is and how to use it.  Here is a highlight:

Two more articles from Edutopia:

Blended Learning: Resource Roundup

4 Tips for Getting to Know the Blended Learning Instructional Model

Learning Google Apps?

Here are some of great collections of small, bite-sized video tutorials on making the most of Google Apps - like Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Forms, etc.  These collections of video are set in a YouTube Playlist for easy watching.  These videos should be very helpful for you, especially if you are still learning the basics.

Simply click on the Playlist drop down menu in each Playlist collections below and select videos from the list.

Google Documents Playlist

Google Drive Playlist

Google Calendar Playlist

Gmail Playlist

To see more playlists regarding Google Apps please visit +Sam Rosenfeld YouTube channel.  Thanks to Sam for the work in putting this together.

Google Search Tips Infographic

This infographic, originally posted by HackCollege, is an older creation, however is an amazing visual and tool for learning how to create an effective web search.

Update (5.29.14):  Because of the issues I had with the embedding of the infographic previously posted, I had to post an image of the infographic.

To view the original infographic in full size, please go to HackCollege.com

#EdChatME

Every Thursday from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM join educators from around our state of Maine on Twitter sharing and discussing several pre-determined topics.  Tonight's (May 15) discussion is on Digital Citizenship; which is an excellent topic.  Why?  Because it is a topic that so many of us know so little about, and it so vital to understand its impact on our students, not to mention ourselves.  For more information on the #EdChatME Maine event, go here.

How do I join?
If you are new to Twitter, here's how you can join.  Simply search for the hashtag #EdChatME in Twitter.

The great thing about joining a hashtag discussion like this is that you can find other contacts (Tweeps) of interest that you can follow.  Look at their list of Tweeps they follow and find more Follows; to help build your Personal Learning Network.

You don't need a Twitter account

You can "listen" in on any Twitter hashtag dialog without a Twitter account and full ability to find idea and content from the sharing.  Simply go to tweetchat.com and search for the hashtag #EdChatME.

Because #edchatme is not in session there were no live tweets at the time I created this video.  You will notice #edchat is used instead for the purpose of demonstrating the use of TweetChat

If you are interested in creating a Twitter account and making a Personal Learning Network out of it, by all means, please contact me and I will walk you through how to make the most of Twitter.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning is a new(er) buzz word floating around the Edu arena.  This is +Common Sense Media 's definition of Blended Learning:

A pedagogical model that combines online and on-site learning and supports some element of student control over the time, place, path, and or/pace of their learning experience

 You can find a great deal of idea and content on Twitter using the hashtag #blendedlearning in your search on Twitter.  Here is a Twitter stream using #blendedlearning.

Tweets about "#blendedlearning"

graphite From Common Sense Media

Have you signed in to graphite yet?

If not, you are missing out on a valuable resource for your 1to1 iPad or "One-iPad" classroom.  A product of +Common Sense Media, graphite is a type of social network where teachers share, search and create reviews for the best apps (web-based or tablet), games, websites, and other digital curricula.  

You can find and share the best app workflows (App Flows) for you or your classroom.  And graphite's content is searchable by grade level, subject, type of content, and by Common Core Standards.  If you are not sure where or how you can start, try the Top Picks and explore some of the more popular choices by teachers.

graphite can serve as your Personal Learning Network (PLN) when it comes to finding the right digital content for iPad or other devices.

The account is FREE and easy to sign up.

What Are App Flows?