This is the thirty-minute talk I gave at the IATEFL conference. I describe the process of tranforming a 100% f2f writing course for teachers into a 50/50 f2f/blended version.

1. Going blended:
If I can do it, so can you!
Isabela Villas Boas
isabela.villasboas@thomas.org.br

2. Course
context
and
rationale
for going
blended
Process of
transforming
the existing f2f
course into a
blended
course:
sample
lesson
Feedback
from
students
Tips
Structure of the talk

3. Pedagogical
Grammar
Composition
Introduction to
phonetics and
phonology
Principles of
language
learning and
teaching
Methodology
1
Methodology 2
The Teacher Development Course

4. Desire to attract
students from
neighboring
cities
Declining
number of
registrations
Desire to experiment with online teacher
development
Why go blended

5. Two-month, 32-hour course
Improve student-teachers’ writing and provide an
authentic experience with the process approach –
focus on multiple drafts and peer revision
Assessment by way of participation and e-portfolio
Students read and write essays on learning and
teaching English
The Composition Course

6. +
The Blend: 50/50

7. Tutorials
The learning curve

8. References
The learning curve

9. Experiences
The learning curve

10. Collaboration
The learning curve

11. Sample blend: Lesson on Narrative Essays

12. Deciding what to do online

13. Book exercise – online quiz

14. Examples of topics

15. http://www.schoolbook.org/2011/11/17/how-i-became-a-teacher
Analyzing authentic text

16. Post a comment about the text you've just read entitled ' How I
became a teacher".
In your comment you should:
- State whether you think the writer's thesis is clear.
- State whether you think that, directly or indirectly, the writer
mentioned the setting, main characters, plot, climax, and ending of
her narrative.
- State what you think are the strengths of the text you read.
- State if there are any weaknesses and, if there are, what they are.
- Conclude explaining how you identify (or not) with the text.
Instructions for reflective post

17. Your comment should contain no fewer than ten lines (in
the editing box - I know that when you publish they become
fewer); no more than fifteen lines.
For your comment, you should base yourself on the
information about narrative essays provided in your
book and on the online resource provided right
below this forum.
Click on "reply" below to post your comment. It's best that you write
your post on a word processor first, edit it, and then paste it as a
reply.
Instructions for reflective post

18. Example of student response

19. Quiz: Check
understanding
of concepts
Forum:
Brainstorming
Forum:
Reflecting
Authentic
sample
Additional
resource

20. Analysed the topics
for narrative essays
Wrapped up discussion on the
authentic narrative essay
(thesis statement)
Analyzed the vocabulary and
discourse markers used in it
Textbook: Brainstormed
ideas for narrative essay
and shared with peer –
spoken variety of
freewriting
Textbook: Wrote an
outline of narrative essay
and gave feedback to
each other on the outline
F2F
Weaving into the following class

21. Wiki for peer revision

22. Sample student revision

23. Brainstorm online
Discuss F2F
Read and reflect onlineClarify and expand F2F
Write online
The connection of activities

24. Revised Bloom’s
Taxonomy
Activities
Creating E-Portfolio: choice, reflection, growth
over time
Evaluating Peer revisions: Wiki; workshop
Analyzing Sample texts: links + forum; open-ended
questionnaire; wiki for jig-saw reading
Applying Forum; open-ended questionnaire
Understanding Quiz
Remembering Quiz
Levels of thinking skills

25. Students’ voices: Why go blended
Benefits shy students
Fosters learner responsibility and autonomy
Room for a wider variety of tasks
Improves teachers’ digital literacy
Meets a variety of learner needs
Flexibility

26. Time management
Workload can end up being
bigger
A lot of distractions
Preference for f2s
interactions
Students’ voices: disadvantages

27. In sum, the ongoing changes and the useful
resources of technology are here. We can borrow the
positive aspects of online and traditional learning to
improve knowledge. Since learning is a lifelong
process, a blended approach respects individual
differences and helps students become more
independent as they make these adjustments
gradually. Because of the reasons mentioned above,
I believe the TDC blended format is the most
appropriate for a teacher’s classroom reality.
Students’ voices

28. E-portfolio cover letter

29. Tips for newbies

30. Tips for newbies

31. Tips for newbies

32. isabela.villasboas@thomas.org.br
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