What are some of the best practices and tools for facilitating blended learning models online?

The particular resources you select should be in line with the goals of your course and the requirements of your students. As the sector is always changing, it's also critical to keep up with new technology and best practices in online education.

Design tasks that require students to interact and collaborate online. You can guide students to meet in groups to discuss the task and how they will divide roles among them. Providing students with templates to record their meeting outcomes and the plan for their work and the assigned roles helps students keep track of their work and better follow up on it. Students can contribute collaboratively on platforms where they can work simultaneously and where the contribution of each is clear for all and for the teacher. My students have used Google apps such as Slides, Docs and Sites. All were very helpful for online projects and allowed me to monitor student work. Moreover, they allow students to comment and chat right while working.

An example of this I've done is when I was asked to head up a project called Math Bootcamp. About a month before the first day, I saw an episode of "Teach" on CBS. It was about different ways to do a flipped classroom. One of those ways was called "360 Math." It's where the students are out of their chairs & at the board actively participating, answering problems, while the instructor was facilitating. However, before that could happen, the instructor gave requirements of the students to watch the instructional videos before the next class period. I was excited & ready to apply it to Adult Education students learning GED Math. I was happy to see my students at the board, helping each other, and learning along the way.

In choosing a suitable model, consider factors like technological infrastructure, the skill level of educators, and the scalability of the model. An initial diagnostic assessment can help tailor the approach to the specific needs of learners. Also, continue to evaluate and iterate based on outcomes.

I like to use an inquiry-based model that blends cognitive and sociocultural theories to promote healthy habits of mind, critical thinking, and social-emotional skills across all subjects. This flexible framework empowers students to deconstruct bias thinking, drive curiosity, build connections, and engage in experiential learning. It supports real-world projects, motivating students and accommodating diverse teaching techniques, including differentiated instruction, anti-bias education, and customized learning. In essence, it cultivates a lasting love for learning and inquiry, leaving a meaningful impact beyond the classroom.

You should also check that your students HAVE access to the online tools and platforms. The digital divide persists in America and worldwide. Let's make sure our blended learning models don't leave any learners behind.

Three important elements that help support learning online are: 1. Teacher presence 2. Social presence 3. Cognitive presence 1.The facilitator no doubt has a key role in bringing the learning community together.The teacher or can attract learners to engage better throuhh an introductory video discussing the course, its learning outcomes, and provide contact details, consultation times, class schedules etc which makes it easier for learners to connect to the course. 2. Social presence is boosted through online forums and chat group opportunities on available platforms. Make sure you have daily discussion topics and posts. 3. Cognitive presence is achieved through inquiry, Socratic questioning and problem based assignments.

I agree, but in the public education space as wonderful as this statement is, the socioeconomic status in a population can vary greatly and preparing a blended classroom approach needs heavy front end planning and contingencies. Children unfortunately don’t have the same access and support at home and educator’s have to be cognizant about that.

One thing I've found helpful when a student inquires about Remote GED or ESL classes is the digital literacy list of questions. 1) Do you have access to a computer/laptop? 2) Do you have reliable internet? 3) Do you know how to download software? Those are our main questions before we even talk about the Remote Learning world. I do provide a resource to our students for technical assistance. In Texas, the Texas Workforce Commission Texas AEL has provided a Texas Distance Education Call Center for our adult education students and instructors. They are able to use this resource for free when they are in need of technical assistance. We need to set them up for success if they are going to learn in the Distance Education.

I'd add that establishing a "Code of Conduct" for online interactions can help maintain a positive learning environment. This sets the tone for respectful discourse and can clarify how students should engage in online discussions or collaborative projects. Schedule regular check-ins or "touchpoints" to assess student comfort and understanding of the blended model. These allow for timely adjustments and provide opportunities for students to voice concerns or challenges they may be facing.

While variety can provide value, it's important however to reduce complexity both for yourself as an educator and for your students. Managing multiple tools at the same time while simultaneously engaging a classroom puts a cognitive strain on the educator and can hinder their ability to be present and responsive to the learners. In other words, keep it simple and leverage tools that you are comfortable using. Spending time with the tools ahead of time can help here.

There are always new tools available. It is great to introduce something new with each assignment or project, but also give one or two students are familiar with.

Then again, we ought not to lose focus that the purpose of mutlimodal learning tools is to enhance learning. Too much a variety switches the focus on learning to novelty. As such, it might still be worth centering learning on at most 2-3 different tools or strategies with the aim of helping various learners reach the same learning goal at their individual learning pace.

Differentiation is a key component to reaching all students. Not all students learn the same way not at the same rate. Utilizing different forms of engagement, interaction with the materials, and modalities for students to showcase their learning in a blended learning environment allows all students to be involved.

Tool variety becomes most important when considering accessibility levels and learning preferences. Will narration be available and adequate for learners that are disabled or those that simply learn better when hearing the content out loud. Or will fancy, animated components enhance understanding or just distract learners from the content. Presenting a variety of tools as options for varied learning preferences, for example ‘read the article OR watch the video’, enriches the experience and it can assist learners that struggle to have a secondary source in a different format that explains the same information.

One aspect that could be emphasized further is the role of predictive analytics. Predictive analytics in education can analyze data like login frequency, time spent on course material, and quiz scores to identify "at-risk" students early, enabling timely, targeted interventions. Implementing "learning nudges" via email or within the LMS can encourage self-regulated learning and keep learners on track. These nudges can be automated but personalized, serving as timely reminders for deadlines or encouraging participation in discussions.

Online and Hybrid learning loses it effectiveness when it is not interactive. Learners needs to be constantly engaged and monitored. Too many learners use online teaching and learning as background noise.

I believe that tracking data with an LMS and offering timely feedback are vital components of modern education. They can promote personalized learning, early intervention, intrinsic motivation, accountability, transparency, and evidence-based decision-making. By utilizing the power of data and quality feedback, we can create a more effective and responsive learning environment that nurtures holistic student success.

Students these days really look forward to a close coordination with their instructor and peers. You can use some tools to provide them active feedback in order to give them a feeling of close collaboration. A variety of tools can be use for this purpose including Kobo and Microsoft Teams.

Set up a quick google form for students to rate their own progress every week. With a couple of quick formulas you can monitor changes in responses and use this as a way to “check in” on students without them having to reach out directly to tell you they’re struggling.

One area to consider is the integration of asynchronous discussion forums alongside synchronous activities like video conferences. These forums can serve as an ongoing "virtual classroom" where learners can engage at their own pace, allowing for more thoughtful contributions. Incorporating "community-building weeks" into the course syllabus, where the primary focus is on relationship-building exercises and collaborative projects can help set a strong foundation for the rest of the course.

If the pandemic taught us anything it is that online learning can foster a feeling of isolation. That said, a need for change is evident, as outdated teaching methods no longer work in our rapidly evolving world. I think we must intentionally integrate strategic changes into our online models to provide exceptional learning experiences. To cultivate community and collaboration in the digital realm, understanding developmental growth is essential. Isolation can hinder social and emotional growth and lack of engagement, so prioritizing social interaction through icebreakers, discussions, and group projects is important. Educators should also model the values we instill, bridging the gap between rigid traditions and the evolving world.

Microsoft Flip is a great way to bridge the isolation students often feel. The video and audio helps people feel stronger connections with each other than they do with the written word. Make sure to add in opportunities to share that AREN’T related to classroom content - that’s where students start to bond.

To encourage learners to persevere when they start a course and feel unsure of themselves, it can be helpful to remind them of the following point that is fundamental. What most distinguishes experts from novices is not their intelligence or their ability to work, but the degree of elaboration and sophistication of the schemas they have to approach their field of competence: they have organized their long-term memory by storing many schemas that they can call upon according to the difficulties encountered and can rely on very extensive and highly organized knowledge bases to solve the problems that come before them. It is a topic that can be the subject of collaborative reflections between learners and teachers and strengthen group spirit.

Firstly, it is essential to establish well-defined learning objectives. Secondly, the incorporation of multimedia and quizzes is advisable. Furthermore, maintaining effective communication is crucial. Among the tools I favor for blended learning are Microsoft Teams, Canva, Quizlet, and Microsoft 365. Additionally, I consistently seek input from the community and consider environmental factors. This is of utmost significance for educators.

Outcomes are likely to be more efficient and effective when evaluation is done at the beginning, during, and at the end. Are my knowledge and skills current? This requires the willingness and the capacity to “learn how to learn.” Hence, posing such a question at the beginning of the process. During the process, ask: Am I helping to meet goals? If not, why, and how can I address this? The input of all stakeholders is needed. The feedback should be appreciated, received without feelings of defensiveness, used to make sound judgments, and used to take action specifically related to the feedback. What have I learned from this experience? Use a self-evaluation and stakeholders' input to evaluate your effectiveness overall.

Try to record your class at least once a semester. If you’re on Zoom this is easy. If in person, set up a camera in the back and let it go for an hour. Give yourself a few days, then watch your teaching with fresh eyes - what would you do differently if you could teach it again? Try to go in with 2-3 things that you want to pay attention to and reflect only on those. Next semester you can focus on different points.

User experience is a primary driver of their choice to use a platform. Be open to asking users what their pain points are, and take prompt action. Word travels quickly. Negative experiences often dissuade others from taking advantage of the LMS or CMS options you are offering (or directing) them to use.

I have found a collaborative inquiry cycle can help teachers share ideas and resources, focus on what’s effective, and address challenges swiftly. By allowing teachers to discuss, implement, analyze, and adjust, we create an environment that is perpetually improving efficiency and more importantly, student outcomes.

A big consideration in blended learning is whether learning will be synchronous or asynchronous. Both can be facilitated within a single course with careful planning. And each have their own benefits and complexities.

I agree. Podcasts and student-led TED Talks can be great audio content for both digital and physical learning spaces. These types of projects often support authentic experiential learning.

Blended learning doesn’t mean all tech all the time. Take the time to step back and make “analog” activities - have them move around the room, write on paper, play games, etc. Your students will appreciate it more than you think!

When designing an online course, keep in mind that learners must, using their working memory, assign meaning to the raw information passing through their ephemeral sensory memory. If it is deemed significant in a very short time, this information can be stored in long-term memory. The difficulty arises from the fact that: 1) Sensory memory is activated when a perceptual organ, especially visual or auditory, perceives information. The information received is only stored there for a very short time (1/3 s for sight and 3-4 s for hearing). 2) Working memory is strictly limited: the human brain is only able to manipulate 5 to 7 different elements simultaneously at most. Fortunately, however, these elements can themselves be very complex schemes