Strictly "Distance Learning" courses can be beneficial to certain individuals and can provide an avenue to move along at your own Pace. Conventional face-to-face courses take advantage of always having a teacher, or Professor available in the room.
Release the P factor
The most important "P" factor that we can exploit in a blended learning environment can be the Peer factor. We need to create a collaborative environment in the brick-and-mortar environment as well as a collaborative environment online for our students. When we release some of the control of these environments to the Pupils learning can skyrocket.
The P factor in brick-and-mortar
In the face-to-face portion of blended learning this could mean allowing the noise level to creep up a few decimals. Elementary teachers have benefited from strategies that include "Turn-and-Talk", and peer mentoring long, long before the idea of blended learning came about. We need to continue to embrace and expand these opportunities while in the classroom.
Blur the Line between face-to-face and online
It is important to find the right tool to continue to reap the advantage of the "P" factor while students are online. You need to to establish and create an environment where students are encouraged to encourage each other. At the elementary level, I find that it helps to bring the distance piece into the face-to-face classroom. This helps to blur the line, make the learning seamless.
Connecting both environments
At the beginning of class, I often take a few minutes to celebrate what is being done in our Edmodo environment. I not only celebrate the badges that students receive for completing their assigned projects, but I embrace the positive interactions online that are initiated by students. I publicly recognize positive comments that students make about other student's posts. Edmodo is a great environment for students to safely practice their digital citizenship in a safe environment. There are several other online environments that compliment the face-to-face portion as well.
Release the P factor
The most important "P" factor that we can exploit in a blended learning environment can be the Peer factor. We need to create a collaborative environment in the brick-and-mortar environment as well as a collaborative environment online for our students. When we release some of the control of these environments to the Pupils learning can skyrocket.
The P factor in brick-and-mortar
In the face-to-face portion of blended learning this could mean allowing the noise level to creep up a few decimals. Elementary teachers have benefited from strategies that include "Turn-and-Talk", and peer mentoring long, long before the idea of blended learning came about. We need to continue to embrace and expand these opportunities while in the classroom.
Blur the Line between face-to-face and online
It is important to find the right tool to continue to reap the advantage of the "P" factor while students are online. You need to to establish and create an environment where students are encouraged to encourage each other. At the elementary level, I find that it helps to bring the distance piece into the face-to-face classroom. This helps to blur the line, make the learning seamless.
Connecting both environments
At the beginning of class, I often take a few minutes to celebrate what is being done in our Edmodo environment. I not only celebrate the badges that students receive for completing their assigned projects, but I embrace the positive interactions online that are initiated by students. I publicly recognize positive comments that students make about other student's posts. Edmodo is a great environment for students to safely practice their digital citizenship in a safe environment. There are several other online environments that compliment the face-to-face portion as well.