Wednesday 13 June 2012

Blended Learning Strategies

One of the problems is that I have so many ideas for flexible delivery buzzing away in my head that I would have to clone myself in order to achieve anything.

For 'Blended Learning Strategies' I have decided to focus on plant propagation, a practical class that I deliver in the polytechnic nursery.

The assessment for this course is currently naturally occurring evidence of plants propagated, and accurate records of plants propagated.

Strategies

  1. Provide an opportunity for students to consolidate practical skills demonstrated in class.
  2. To reinforce underlying knowledge.
  3. Provide an opportunity for distance students to gain knowledge and demonstrate skills.

Content

  • Teacher creates videos of demonstrations of practical skills.
  • Teacher creates written supporting notes.
  • Teacher provides reading list.
  • Teacher provides in class verbal instructions.
  • Teacher provides in class background knowledge
  • Teacher provides in class visual aides - illustrations and examples of best practice
  • Teacher provides in class mentoring
  • Teacher provides content, prompts and guides on wikieducator or other open source format.

Activities

  • Students view videos - and answer questions
  • Students do guided readings of supporting notes - and do quiz or answer questions
  • Students practice skills in class - or at distant location.

Communication

  • In class students work in buddy/mentoring system with class partner and provide feedback on each others work.
  • Students explain the propagation process providing numbered steps via a  group blog
or
  • Do a oral version in class with their class partner.
  • Teacher provides positive reinforcement
  • Teacher provides feedback on progress
  • Students share their experiences via a blog or diary - teacher provides feedback.
  • Teacher is available after class, via phone and email.

Assessment  


  • Naturally occurring evidence of plants propagated in class and application of propagation theory
  • Propagation records correctly maintained.

or

  • Students provide video of themselves demonstration skill
  • Students provide video or photographic evidence of plants propagated
  • Students provide evidence of propagation knowledge via blog.
















1 comment:

  1. Some interesting strategies emerging here Lisa. The content appears very teacher top heavy. Instead of waiting until the assessments why not get students creating content on the way through the course. This could occur on a wiki page with students contributing images and video resources - either material they have found or created.

    How about they work in groups on a project. One task could be to research particular propagation methods - including using the internet, going to nurseries (not necessarily in class time) to observe and interview horticulturists or even going to home gardens - family or friends or willing people in the community. These gems could be captured as images to which they could add a narrative, and/or videos or audio. The students could share this information - on the course wiki or blog incorporating Youtube, Flickr.com and other media sharing sites.

    If they are given the opportunity to see the correct way, provided by you, then the myriad of different ways they explore could be critiqued providing rich opportunities for learning. So instead your time would be spent facilitating their learning instead of on creating mountains of content. Are any of these ideas any good?

    ReplyDelete