Incorporation of Blended Learning in Government Primary Schools

Introduction:

I am going to introduce technologies of blended learning in my hypothetical classroom of primary level in public school with limited available resources. It will include some chunks of station rotation, lab rotation and flipped classroom along with the aid of various kid learning applications and Khan Academy software which is easily accessible to pupils. I will try to bring some valuable change in school timetable as well. It will not only develop critical thinking in the students but also provide the opportunity to groom themselves in accordance with changing world.

Before:

Teaching Method:

A teacher centered class with fully focus on Lecture Method.

Student Sitting Arrangement:

Traditional two students at each bench lying in the front to back arrangement

Classroom Size:

40-45 students with 1 teacher in the class

Timetable:

· Daily 8 periods of 40 minutes each

· 15 minutes break once a day after 5th period

· Friday is fix for co-curricular activities

Staff Allocation:

Subjects are allotted to teachers and each teacher is responsible for his/her subject only.

AV Aids:

· White Board

· Charts

· Placards

· Worksheets

· LED Tv for cartoons and YouTube

· School Tablet for limited Literacy Numeracy Drive Tasks

Lesson Planning:

Lesson planning is done by using traditional method of Teacher Diary Writing

Feedback and Assessment:

Feedback is authoritative and strict. Whereas assessment is mostly summative and done by teacher only by giving marks to the students.

Technology Adopted:

No technology adaptation at all.

After: A look at a key difference in the new structure/staffing

Teaching Method:

A student-centered class with fully focus on child’s cognitive development.

Student Sitting Arrangement:

Group sitting of 6-8 students around the round table

Classroom Size:

25-27 Students with 02 teachers in a class at a same time

Timetable:

· Each day will be divided into various parts

· 2 hours’ time for station rotation will be allocated

· 1.5 hours for Lab Rotation at each day

· 2-time recess or refreshment break of almost 15 minutes each

· Daily 30 minutes for Physical development training

· 1 hour for Sports Activity at the end of the school schedule.

· 1 hour for peer graded assessment and feedback at combined level

Staff Allocation:

A whole class would be allocated to the couple of teachers to engage the students in the healthy activities.

AV Aids:

· Digital Whiteboard

· Flipped Classroom prompts

· Worksheets

· Chromebook for students

· Lab computers for Lab Rotation Class

· LED Smart Tv to get updated knowledge from websites

· School Tablet for Peer Graded Assessment

Lesson Planning:

Teacher will plan lesson by using Digital planners such as Blendspace by TES, PlanbookEdu, CommonCurriculum, Socrativeteachers

Feedback and Assessment:

· Peer Graded Assessment

· Online Monitoring

· IQ Testing

· Formative feedback

· Reflexive and Actionable feedback

Software Adopted:

· Khan academy courses, mobile applications, and software

· Microsoft Educator Centre

Debrief:

· How did this change the role of the adults?

Before application of blended learning approach, there was teacher centered lecture method was implemented which later converted into the student-centered activity-based learning on self-pace. Role of the adults changed from authoritative to co-operative and from teacher to the leader who provides the opportunity to learn at the different pace of the students. Teacher in this method is a facilitator and driver.

· How did this change the learning for the students?

Students learning became active from passive. With the application of blended approach, deep learning and transformative pedagogy implemented in the class. Students through flipped classroom method can take more interest at their home and do more research. With the help of station rotation, they are experienced innovations on daily basis with new group members and aware themselves from their likes and dislikes. Moreover, their learning is now more profound, critical, and problem solving with the help of international websites and software. Now they are more aware of technology and its positive use, which built trust and healthy friendly environment for their growth.

· What are the implications for future practice in this classroom(s)/school ?

Though it is the expensive approach, but its implications are dynamic and productive. It will able the students to compete with international standards. Students will be able to learn at their on pace without the limitation of time and space with the positive help of technology.