Understanding Blended Learning through Design Thinking
The school year might be almost over, but at ASFM the learning just keeps on going!
As a way to socialize the concept of blended learning, teachers spent the last PD afternoon learning more about this educational model. The elementary staff was divided into 3 major groups. With the purpose to introduce an innovative approach to problem solving, each group went through the phases of the Design Thinking process.
1- Discovery
The advent of a new school wide LMS for the next school year comes along with other transformations in school. Challenge: How can we redesign the Blended Learning experience at ASFM?
2- Interpretation
Now it's time to gain empathy. Teachers paired up and took turns interviewing each other. How much of your teaching is f2f and how much is it online? How have you modified student learning? Focus question: What is your experience with blended learning, from a teacher's perspective?
3- Ideation
During the Interpretation phase, teachers were told to write down key words they heard from the interview. Using those words, the teachers' next task was to create as many vision statement prototypes as they could in a 2 minute time frame. They are asked to focus on quantity over quality. Take risks, it's all right to write down what may seem to you as a silly idea.
4- Experimentation
The next task was, in 5 minutes, to go with 3 different teachers, show them the prototypes and gather feedback. Remember: feedback should be kind, useful, and specific. Teachers can make comments, mark which is their favorite one, or suggest improvements. Once the teacher has collected this information, he/she will have 3 more minutes to modify his vision statement. Each teacher wrote down their final slogan. Through a voting process, one of the slogans was selected per group.
5- Evolution
Next steps: ASFM has yet to adopt a school wide vision statement that captures the transformation that will take place. The change has already started. ASFM is embracing the BL model and is off to a good start!
Cheers!
As a way to socialize the concept of blended learning, teachers spent the last PD afternoon learning more about this educational model. The elementary staff was divided into 3 major groups. With the purpose to introduce an innovative approach to problem solving, each group went through the phases of the Design Thinking process.
1- Discovery
The advent of a new school wide LMS for the next school year comes along with other transformations in school. Challenge: How can we redesign the Blended Learning experience at ASFM?
2- Interpretation
Now it's time to gain empathy. Teachers paired up and took turns interviewing each other. How much of your teaching is f2f and how much is it online? How have you modified student learning? Focus question: What is your experience with blended learning, from a teacher's perspective?
3- Ideation
During the Interpretation phase, teachers were told to write down key words they heard from the interview. Using those words, the teachers' next task was to create as many vision statement prototypes as they could in a 2 minute time frame. They are asked to focus on quantity over quality. Take risks, it's all right to write down what may seem to you as a silly idea.
4- Experimentation
The next task was, in 5 minutes, to go with 3 different teachers, show them the prototypes and gather feedback. Remember: feedback should be kind, useful, and specific. Teachers can make comments, mark which is their favorite one, or suggest improvements. Once the teacher has collected this information, he/she will have 3 more minutes to modify his vision statement. Each teacher wrote down their final slogan. Through a voting process, one of the slogans was selected per group.
5- Evolution
Next steps: ASFM has yet to adopt a school wide vision statement that captures the transformation that will take place. The change has already started. ASFM is embracing the BL model and is off to a good start!
Cheers!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete