Sharon Maroney

Philosophy of Blended Learning: 

I will present my philosophy of blended learning more as a definition and set of goals. (Hopefully this is OK.) I’m not sure I understand enough about blended learning to develop a philosophy.

What is my definition of blended learning? After reading and watching several of our resources I know that blended learning is defined differently by different individuals. While I am at the very beginning stages of understanding – for now I will define blended learning to include -
• A combination of face-to-face, technology-based, and independent learning activities
• Independent activities will emphasize building content knowledge 
• Face-to-face activities will emphasize application in cooperative groups, discussion of important questions, and development of a community of learners
• Technology-based activities to serve both purposes
• All activities will be focused on improving student performance on the important outcomes of the course

I teach graduate courses in special education. All of my students are certified teachers with varying types and lengths of teaching experiences. For the past three years I have taught what we have called “hybrid” courses which combined approximately ten face-to-face class sessions with six “online sessions” each semester. The online sessions were structured on WesternOnline and involved required and selected readings, online discussions, and application assignments. I have to admit that I have studied just a little about blended learning and a bit more about online learning activities. I do know that our students like the combination of getting to share and learn from one another during the face-to-face meetings and the flexibility of having online weeks of learning. 

My personal goals for this Faculty Innovators experience include –
• Learn to develop a basic structure for my blended courses 
• Learn to include effective and valuable instructional strategies for my blended learning courses
• Learn to develop blended learning courses that focus on the most important outcomes for my students/teachers
o To be independent learners and critical thinkers
o To be informed special educators
o To be prepared to be decision makers and leaders in the school setting
o To be involved in a community of learners 
o To be effective educators
• Learn to use an iPad 
• Learn skills that will reduce my extreme frustration and dislike with teaching online and WesternOnline (I really have to find a way to be able to focus on the content rather than spending hours trying to figure out why the quiz won’t open at 8am when it’s suppose to. Currently I am spending so much additional time on my online courses without the joy I experience when teaching face-to-face.)


Please note: I know I’m late with this post. But due to a change in my teaching assignment, I wasn’t sure I could continue with FI. But I think I’ve found a way to do so.