Blended Learning 'Think Tank' at Summer Academy

Big shout out to our "Celebrity" blended learning teachers who so willingly and eloquently answered the audience's questions about their BL experiences. Cyndi O'Rourke (SEC), Jenna Frerot & Keith Clarke (AVS), Jerry Heal & Dan Bisson (PCSS), and Claus Vogel (RSS).

Many thanks as well to all attendees, too many to name individually, whose presence and  participation made the debate so rich and wide-ranging.

The opportunity to learn from colleagues is always powerful. Some of the key messages that came out in this session about making blended learning successful in Yukon schools were:

• the face-to-face element of blended learning is critical; limit screen=time
• personalize your course where possible e.g. use groups to allow for differentiation
• know that editing courses takes a lot of time; creating from scratch also takes a lot of time - so put in as much work up front as you can, then be patient and let your courses evolve 
• start small - if possible limit how many blended courses you take on to begin with; or start with one or two units rather than a whole course
• every teachers' approach to blended learning is unique - there is no 'one size fits all'
• students need pacing - provide deadlines for activities and assignments
• use the online system to keep parents in the loop e.g. email progress reports, provide parent access
• hold regular (daily/weekly) goal-setting check-ins with every student
• all students should complete at least one online (e.g. Moodle)-based course before they graduate from secondary school. The skills and experience gained will benefit them hugely for lifelong learning.

What or who did I miss? For those of you who attended, are there other key points that came out in the discussion? What stood out for you?