Week 12: Some Data

Description - As I'm working through a Canvas class on blended learning, I kept thinking about conversations I've had with colleagues about using tech in our classes. We complain a lot when we're trying something new, but we haven't done anything formal about learning specifics of the issues we have integrating technology in our instruction. So, I found a survey: Quick Teacher Technology Survey.

Evaluation - As I looked at the results of the survey, I saw some general ideas recur. One, we don't feel that we have enough time to collaborate in ways to integrate technology smoothly in our curriculum. That's not to say that we don't use technology or that we don't find cute ways to use it to engage our students. But tech isn't a third appendage like a book is for an English teacher. Even when you think about all the important areas where tech can be an asset, we still see its use as an "extra" rather than a redefinition of the curriculum. I think that puts our students at a disadvantage with others who are competing for college spots or future careers. Two, we don't see the use of tech as transformative -- meaning, we know we should use tech for application, but in actuality, we use it only for the mundane things we don't like to grade -- like for word processing rather than handwriting a paper. Third, there's no sense of on-going professional development. We think of anything we get as a one-and-done. This most likely normal, but for blended learning, it seems that teachers need, IDK, a support group? :-)

Analysis - So, for my Canvas class, I think I'm going to redesign the intro pieces to include a "why" for blended learning, as well as be sure I set it up so teachers can collaborate with another person. If I'm designing a course where teachers can see the impact of blended learning, then it feels right that they experience it as collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity (the 4Cs of 21st education). I just haven't worked out how to do that yet. What if no one is working at the same time?

Action Plan - My work this coming week is to change up my opening unit -- maybe based off a survey like this one that the teacher will rank their concerns for interest or improvement, then they begin their learning journey in different spots --like instead of going through the course linearly, it would be more like a Choose Your Own Adventure--if having kids create a webpage is your most important, then click that tab, but if learning to use smartphone apps is cool, click that tab. This would make my course more like a (learning) game than a stuffy PD. I also need to incorporate some space for teachers to write/reflect on their collaborations with colleagues and show how they are working together to create blended units/lessons.