Showing posts with label Blended Learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blended Learning. Show all posts

Friday, September 9, 2016

Micro-learning— Miniaturizing delivery - Some Short Reads..

Blended learning goes better with micro-learning. Learning  under this category of delivery is short and in 'retain-able' doses. The philosophy is 'Brevity is the soul of wit'. Learn little, learn long. Short, 'absorb-able', bit sized learning.  One hour sessions are obsolete. The input may run for just about   3-5 minutes - just in time capsule -designed to meet a specific learning outcome.


'The sources  are accessible via various devices ranging from mobile phones to tablets to laptop computers. The delivery is in formats like ranging from videos, blogs, games, quizzes, simulations, to podcasts.




Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Why Towards a Smart Campus.

In a fast and furiously evolving technology driven world, all players, individual and organizational, will find themselves among the least or less skilled. Re-skilling accompanied by a large measure of  de-skilling is important. One cannot be frozen in the past for individuals and organizations. If they do, there could be a Nokia moment. The competition will leave you behind. Samsung and Apple overtake you.

Dis-inter-mediation is here to stay: 

  • Teachers by on line learning;
  • Doctors by robotic , precision surgeons;
  • Drivers by sensor driven cars;
  • Bankers by on line banking;
  • Mall employees by e tailers; 
  • Book distributors by Amazon and Barnes & Noble or Flipkart. 

One has no place to hide .
The biggest item in the agenda then is a psychological bin: discard and relearn.
Therein is the importance of Smart Campus. Re-learning assumes import at the pace acceptable to the learner and a mode accessible.

 "A survey of 1,381 students (in the district)  showed nearly 74 percent were more engaged, and 89 percent agreed they could solve problems or create presentations by researching online " (Source: Blended 2.0 shifts learning in schools Next phase of tech-infused teaching model goes deeper on personalization and authenticity: 

 https://www.districtadministration.com/article/blended-20-shifts-learning) 

Blended Learning is here to stay within Smart Campuses accessible from homes. 


Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Back 2 School with Khan Academy : Blended Learning

Khan Academy has sent me a message which is worth sharing: ( it is useful information for students and parents.)




"As you
 head back to school, there’s only one thing you need to know: you can learn anything. Khan Academy is here to be your personal tutor throughout the school year. We have thousands of videos, articles, and exercises to help you sharpen your skills anytime, anywhere, all for free.
Here are some things you can learn on Khan Academy:
Advanced Placement & college prep
AP Calculus ABAP US history
AP Calculus BCAP Art history
AP Physics 1SAT
AP Physics 2College admissions
AP Chemistry
Math
K-2nd gradeAlgebra I
3rd gradeGeometry
4th gradeAlgebra II
5th gradeTrigonometry
6th gradeStatistics & probability
7th gradeCalculus
8th gradeDifferential equations
ArithmeticLinear algebra
Pre-algebra
Science & engineering
BiologyHealth & medicine
PhysicsElectrical engineering
ChemistryCosmology & astronomy
Organic chemistry
Computing
Computer programmingComputer animation
Computer science
Arts & humanities
Art historyUS history
GrammarWorld history
Music
Economics & finance
MicroeconomicsFinance & capital markets
MacroeconomicsEntrepreneurship
Happy learning!"

Blended Learning : Lessons for Schools Intending to Change

"Every organisation must prepare to abandon

 everything it does"

Peter Drucker



Extracts On Learning from DC on Blended Learning:
“District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)[1] has developed three main blended learning initiatives over the past several years:
1. Since the 2013–14 school year, district and school leaders have redesigned 17 schools (10 elementary schools, four middle schools, and three high schools) to incorporate blended learning. Students who are introduced to blended learning in elementary school do not have to change instructional methods as they progress through schools.
2. Many schools not selected for redesigns are also using blended learning in a variety of grade levels and subject areas to meet their school-level academic goals.
3. High schools offer credit-recovery programs using the Enriched Virtual model of blended learning in which content is delivered online and students meet with highly qualified teachers in their content areas at least two or three times per week.

The district has made significant investments in online curriculum, network and wireless infrastructure, end-user devices, and professional development.

It has also established a dedicated team at the central office to research, implement, and evaluate blended learning. DCPS has recorded extensive and well-studied student gains in math and reading on district-wide assessments and the National Assessment of Educational Progress since implementing blended learning.

The redesigned elementary schools use the Station Rotation model of blended learning for math and reading, with some variation based on decisions made by school leaders. The redesigned middle school uses the Individual Rotation model of blended learning for math and has worked with New Classrooms to design and implement the blended model.

Across all schools (not just the blended schools), the district uses a variety of online curriculum products, including Lexia and myON for reading and ST Math, First in Math, and i-Ready for math. Science, social studies, and world languages classes also use online curriculum.

The district retrained its teacher evaluators, known as Master Educators, on evaluation techniques applicable to blended learning classrooms.

In elementary schools, students in reading and math classes rotate on a fixed schedule through three stations: one station is teacher-led small-group instruction, another is online learning, and a third is either independent practice or project-based learning.

In the redesigned middle school, all students have a laptop that allows them to move through online curriculum at their own pace, with support from a team of teachers. In addition to the redesigned schools, there are smaller blended-learning initiatives occurring in the district’s other schools that focus primarily on math and reading.  

It has also focused on identifying strategies that improve outcomes for the lowest performing students. The district has recorded student gains in math and reading since implementing blended learning.”

Source given in Footnote  



[1] http://www.kpk12.com/wp-content/uploads/DCPS.pdf

Saturday, August 20, 2016

How Internet of Things ought to Change Education

  • A strong connectivity infrastructure and security system to be in place. 
  • System must connect and track all devices within the school premises.
  • Inter-operability of devices within the school to be assured.
  • Upkeep of school computer hardware must be for predictive purposes.
  • Wearables on students to be monitored for academic improvement (wearables are to be with mutual agreement)
  • To use sensory devices on students for effective oversight over studies; teachers can respond to anxiety attacks in students immediately.
  • Access sensory information to be on real time basis.   
  • Big Data to be used to predict, improve student needs.
  • To monitor security of academic records.
  • Follow up of on line / mobile education.
  • Set up a reliable local area network (LAN) connection.
  • (A virtual private network (VPN) may be an option)
  • Transitions between different networks must be carefully crafted to avoid data loss if and when device connections fail.
  • Sensitive student data to be transmitted securely between devices.
  • Ensure that data is properly encrypted.
  • Multi-tiered authentication strategy to access data.
  • Have safe controls on access.
  • Assign zones of safety significance for security purposes.
  • Secure texting.
  • A centralized log-in procedure for network-connected devices.