Rounding the Bend!

This is our last full week of blended learning! In fact, the last optional day will be next Tuesday. For our last unit, Persepolis, we'll be using a class set of books, so you'll need to come every day in order to do your work. You will be working independently, however, so it'll still feel a little bit "blended."

In your reflections this week, most people sounded happy and adjusted to this style of learning. I feel happy and adjusted, too. I am a blended believer at this point, and I'm glad I'll get to continue this type of instruction next school year.

Something I want to get your feedback on, and I might pose this question on this week's End-of-Week Reflection is how you think blended learning could best be introduced at the beginning of the year. What would your ideal blended course look like in terms of schedule, workload, relationships, etc.? Think about this and add your thoughts to this week's end-of-week reflection forums.

Something else that's been happening lately is an erosion of the typical divide between students and teacher. On the one hand, I'm elated about this development! I've spent most of my career trying to find ways to authentically learn WITH students, instead of being just an authority figure and the dominant force in the classroom. On the other hand, some aspects of the walls coming down are making me feel a little bit uncomfortable. I'll probably talk more about this in class; although the idea of talking about it in class makes me feel uncomfortable, too. Oh, teaching. Such a complex and wonderful profession.

Have a great week!

Moodle!

Thanks for your emails about Moodle being down. I also can't sign in. I'm sure the school is working on it, and we'll just have to see what happens.

I'll update you in class today.

We'll adjust the due date of the letters.

My Own Weekly Reflection - Week 4

Last week was a great week for blended. Many commented that class went smoothly. Most of those who'd expressed skepticism in the opening weeks found that they enjoyed last week. It seems we're getting into the rhythm of blended learning!

Of course, this week we're thrown off by AP exams and the media center closings due to GRAD test re-takes. Many of you expressed a high level of stress and anxiety regarding AP testing. I understand that these feelings are real, and that they affect your performance in other areas.

I decided to push back the due date for the research letter to 8:30 Monday morning in response to your reflections. Realistically, I wouldn't have had time to read these over the weekend, anyway. I do want you to have time to comment on each other's drafts, however. You'll now have Monday night and Tuesday to accomplish this. The final letters are due on Wednesday evening, 11:59pm. You'll hand in everything via the Google site. This is a paper-free assignment! A first for me!

This week, we'll be playing with Ning instead of our usual Moodle forums. The Ning is a simulation we're using to address the 21st century skills of play, performance, and networking. Engage fully in the simulation! Your final product for this assignment will be a reflection paper to be handed in the week after next.

One of the things I love about blended is the many types of writing that become relevant and possible. I've often felt that we privilege the literary analysis paper in our department, and I love the opportunity this class affords me to teach about and encourage other genres of academic writing.

I think that's it for this week! Thank you so much for your thoughtful participation in this pilot. I'm having such a good and intellectually stimulating time.