Mary Jensen

Philosophy on Blended Learning

I think it is important to incorporate more active participation and discovery learning in my classes. My philosophy is based on the idea that I have to change my old traditional methods of classroom teaching to try the blended learning approach.

To implement blended learning, the students have to take more responsibility for their own learning and complete the required preparation outside the classroom to be ready for the active learning and problem-solving going on during class time. 

I am trying to do this in two classes right now by telling the students ahead of time what content we will cover and what specific points they need to be prepared to address in a student-led discussion and class activity. I have tried in out more in the SPED 400 Planning for Instruction class because I want the students to try out some of these methods in their block teaching which is done simultaneously with this class.

I am making forms based on the required content for the day. the student-led instruction has been going pretty well so far. Students volunteer in pairs to be discussion leaders or co-teachers. One of the co-teachers is primarily in charge of presenting information and calling on students for their ideas. We are using different methods to practice calling on students randomly. The other co-teacher must help with the instructional part but also types student responses on the form I created to structure the lesson content for that day. It has been very interesting so far to see the students taking the role of the teacher in our class. After the discussion and the form has been completed, I post the form on Western Online so the students have a summary of the day.