Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Tools in the Toolbox - Virtual or Otherwise

As we are diving deeper and deeper into online learning, I am seeing more of the advantages of online learning which presses the question: "Could we engineer online learning where is always better than traditional classroom learning?"

I think the answer is: "No" As I am thinkiong though this, I think the richest learning takes place with a variety of tools and mediums. If that is the case, then it is important to flesh out the question: "What is each tool good for?" In other words, if I am finishing some wooden product, if I have a better understanding of when to use which grits of sandpaper to use, in what order, on what type of material, to achieve what type of finish, and how long it will take I can better do my job.

Here is brainstormed list of when, where, and why a teacher might use certain mediums.

Online -
  • Watching a video or any activity that requires little social engagement.  
    • Could be watching a video to extend learning or prep for a lesson. 
  • Perhaps this is where the "flipped" classroom comes into play, because many direct instructions techniques can be delived through a video medium, but this lacks direct in the moment questioning. 
Classroom -
  • Better for building relationships which foster learning
  • Easier to read people as you get body language ect... 
  • Often better for risk taking because students can't hide behind a screen or wait to get something polished before presenting.  
  • Accountable and schedule 
  • Have conversation to interact with ideas
Ideas for next school year
- Still have notebooks, maybe have WARM Ups be half a page, with virtual instructions on it. 

Google Classroom -
Edulastic - for assessments, dynamic questions, selfgrading intgerates into Google Classroom.
IXL - homework, in class practice for math calculation skills
Desmos for lesson activities
Nearpod of integrated direct instruction lessons.