Journal 5: How to do More with Less

Pape, L., Sheehan, T., & Worrell, C. (2012). How to do more with less. ISTE: Learning and Leading, 39(6), 18-22. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/DigitalEditionMarch-April2012.aspx

Summary: In the article, "How to do More with Less", the issues teachers have with fitting in all the needed curriculum in a school year was introduced. However, the article offers two innovative online learning strategies: the bedded classroom and the flipped classroom (2012.18). The authors claim that both of these strategies maximize learning time by increasing student-to-student time as well as student-to-teacher time as well as more personalized instruction that focuses on individual learning needs (2012.18.) Making time for these learning strategies also fosters the development of individual learning skills like any online class would (2012.18) Students have to be responsible in seeking out educational resources on the web and learn at their comfortable pace. Throughout the article, there are a variety of different benefits to both the blended classroom and the flipped classroom.

Question 1: What is a blended classroom and what components are included in this classroom. What are its benefits?

Answer 1: According to the article, the term blended refers to mixing traditional face-to-face instruction with online learning practices (2012.18). Within a blended classroom, teachers use digital resources, content and tools to enhance and transform the learning process (2012.18). This learning process includes whenever/wherever learning, specific help for students learning needs, and access to tools to fully engage students in the learning process (2012.18) The blended classroom process clearly has many benefits; not only does it save time and money in the classroom but it also enhances student learning as well as introduces digital tools that students can use throughout their lives.

Question 2: What is a flipped classroom? What does it include and what are its benefits?

Answer 2: In a flipped classroom, teachers use technology, such as videos and podcasts, to deliver class lectures (2012.18). Therefore, if a student is absent or a student needs clarification about certain content in the lecture, they can replay the technology driven demonstration. Like the blended classroom, the flipped classroom relies on open educational resources. These include free online tools and materials designed to support instruction (2012.19).  Different tools used in both a flipped classroom and a blended classroom include blogs, wikis, social bookmarking like diigo, creative expression tools like comic strips and social networking (2012.19-21) Flipped classrooms and blended classrooms share a lot of benefits that include enhancing students learning and introducing digital tools that will be useful to them throughout their lives.