Blended Learning - Talia Perez

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Schechter, R. L., Kazakoff, E. R., Bundschuh, K., Prescott, J. E., & Macaruso, P. (2017). Exploring the impact of engaged teachers on implementation fidelity and reading skill gains in a blended learning reading program. Reading Psychology, 38(6), 553–579.

Summarize

According to Horn and Staker (2017), “Blended learning [is] the integration of student-directed online learning with a teacher-led offline component; [it] leverages digital technologies to provide students with more control over time, place, path, and/or of their own learning” (pg. 554).

In this article, it talked about a study that observed teacher engagement with students inside a blended learning environment. The researchers involved in the study organized a usage contest that motivates teachers to teach reading skills with a blended reading program called Lexia Reading Core5. The results showed that higher student achievement was seen from students whose teachers participated in the usage contest.

In other words, teachers who use blended learning programs have a higher rate of student achievement than teachers who use traditional learning programs.

This article is written to show teachers and educators that technology integration is not enough for student achievement; teacher engagement is also crucial in the 21st century classroom.

Access

This article came from a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal called, Reading Psychology. It was published in 2017 by Rachel L. Schechter, Elizabeth R. Kazakoff, Kristine Bundschuh, Jen Elise Prescott & Paul Macaruso; they were authors who contributed to the journal.

The study took place during the 2014-2015 academic school year. The types of tools and methods that were used was explained in full detail; however, the researchers did not talk about how the teachers engaged the students in their classrooms during the usage contest; they also need to look at the teachers who did not participate in the contest and mention how they engaged the students in their classroom.

TEDx Talks. (2014, May 6). Click here – blended learning and the future of education: Monique Markoff at TEDxlthacaCollege [Video file]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb2d8E1dZjY&t=429s 

Summarize

This video is about the various aspects and limitations of integrating blending learning inside the classroom. Some of the key points that were mentioned include different method for incorporating blended learning, financial situations, and effective ways for teachers to engage students in the 21st century classroom. 

Blended learning will be very useful for many schools; however, the teachers and educators must be trained and prepared to teach these students with the integration of technology inside the classrooms. 

This video was created for teachers and educators as a way to teach them about blended learning. After watching this video, they can decide if they want to incorporate this method into their classrooms. 

Access

This video was published on YouTube on May 6, 2014 by the creators from TEDx Talks. The speaker in this presentation was Monique Markoff, a teacher in the Education Department at Ithaca College. 

The sources of this video came from studies, journals, and websites that promote blended learning inside the classrooms; Monique did a great job educating the audience on this topic. 

Reflection

After reading the article and watching the video, I learned that both online and face-to-face learning will provide positive outcomes for student achievement; however, teachers must work hard to become prepared to incorporate technology and traditional teaching methods inside the classroom. 

I think that both the article and the video are very influential and will help many teachers and educators learn more about blended learning. In my opinion, I believe that blended learning will be a very useful method for many schools. As a future teacher, I will do my best to become fully trained and prepared to teach students inside the 21st century classroom.

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