Emily Schmidt and Rebecca Phillips presented on blended learning at an education conference. They defined blended learning as combining small group teacher instruction with personalized computer/tablet instruction. They explained the benefits of blended learning and what is needed for a successful blended learning classroom, including technology, support, and an open mindset. They described what a blended learning elementary classroom looks like, using a station rotation model. They shared their experiences implementing blended learning and tips for getting started, such as using free resources. Student quotes showed enthusiasm for the technology used in their blended learning classroom to support math, reading, and other subjects.

1. Presented by:
Emily Schmidt and Rebecca Phillips
NCTIES Conference, March 7, 2014

2. Who Are We?
Emily Schmidt
Rebecca Phillips
Emily.Schmidt@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Rebecca.Phillips@cabarrus.k12.nc.us

3. Agenda
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Who Are We?
What is Blended Learning?
Why Blended Learning?
What do you need to have in a successful blended
learning classroom?
What does an elementary level blended learning
classroom look like?
Our Experiences with Blended Learning
First Steps to Building Your Own Blended Classroom
Resources
What Our Students Think

4. What is Blended Learning?
• Blended learning is a hybrid way of learning
• Combines small group instruction with the teacher and
personalized instruction on a computer/tablet
• Uses adaptive technology
• Blended learning allows students to control the pace and
content of their own instruction.

5. Blended learning combines traditional direct instruction
from the teacher and instruction and practice on a
computer/tablet
+
BLENDED LEARNING
=

6. Why Blended Learning?

7. “Technology is not a teacher even with the best software, the
technology is not the
professional in the room.”
-Talbot Bielefeldt, ISTE Senior Research Associate

8. What do you need to have in a
successful blended learning
classroom?

9. Technology

10. A Positive Attitude

11. Patience
Lots and Lots of Patience!

12. Supportive
Administration

13. An Open Mind

14. Teamwork!

15. An AWESOME Group
of Students!

16. What does an elementary level
blended learning classroom look
like?

17. Elementary Blended
Learning Classroom
• There are several models of blended
learning.
• In our classes, we use a
station-rotation model.
• If you are already teaching using the
workshop model, you are only a step away
from creating a blended learning
classroom.

18. Small Group Instruction
with a Teacher

19. Instruction and Practice on
Computer/Tablet

20. Centers & Partner Work

21. Independent Work

22. Instruction & Practice on
Computer/Tablet
Independent Work
Centers & Partner Work
Small Group Instruction
with a Teacher

23. Our Experiences
with Blended
Learning
Here are just a
few things we’ve
learned along
the way...

24. Student Experience with
Technology
Helpful Hint
Keep in mind what
technology students have
access to at home. Not
every student will have
access to a computer,
tablet, and/or smartphone at
home.

25. Organization
Helpful Hint
Assign each student to a
specific device.

26. Headphones
Helpful Hint
Add headphones to your
back to school supply list.

27. Computers versus Tablets
Helpful Hint
If you have a choice
between computers and
tablets, ask yourself:
“What is my purpose for
using the technology?”

28. Compatibility of Programs
Helpful Hint
Test the programs you’d like to use on your device before giving
assignments to students.

29. First Steps to Building Your Own
Blended Classroom

30. Start with what you have!

31. Scrounge Around for Unused or
Under-Utilized Resources

32. You don’t have to spend money
on programs, look for what’s
already out there.

33. Free Resources

34. More Resources
(Paid Subscription Required)
ST Math

35. What Our Students Think
“We use technology everyday. If it’s
iPads, computers, or the
SMARTBoard, it counts. I like this
school because the teachers tell us
to never give up and do what’s right
for you.”
-Samay, 2nd Grade Student
“The best thing that I like about
Coltrane-Webb is that we get to use
lots of technology. On the
computers, we use websites like
Dreambox and Sumdog for math,
RAZ-Kids for reading and Pebble-Go
in Science and Social Studies.”
~Tealy, 2nd Grade Student
“In my class, we use Dreambox.
Dreambox is for math. I like it because
you’re learning, but you’re having fun and
if you get stuck, they help you out.”
~Amelia, 2nd Grade Student
“We are a lucky school to have all of this
technology.”
~Ben, 2nd Grade Student
We use technology to teach us math and
reading and typing and lots more. We
use the laptops and iPads each and
every day. The students learn a lot at
this school.”
~Charlotte, 2nd Grade Student