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We are a group of educators and professionals exploring how Blended Learning can enhance elementary education. Our diverse backgrounds bring different perspectives to this project with experience ranging from education to technology.

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Overall/General Benefit: Students can learn at their own pace. They have the flexibility to watch videos, review lessons, and complete assignments when they fit into their schedule.

Specific Benefit for Elementary Education: Blended learning is helpful for younger students because it gives them the chance to revisit lessons if they didn't fully understand something the first time. This is important because elementary students are still developing foundational skills and having the ability to pause, rewind, or take extra time on certain topics can help them build confidence and better grasp the material.

Overall/ General Challenge: Some students may struggle with staying on task or managing their time effectively without constant guidance.

Specific Challenge for Elementary Education: Staying focused for younger children can be difficult without a teacher’s help. Many elementary students may not have developed strong time management skills and can easily get distracted.

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Education Buzzwords Defined: What is Blended Learning?

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What is blended learning?

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Hi! I'm Lauren, an elementary reading teacher.

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Get a better understanding of what blended learning is - Define what it is and why it’s important in education.

Explore its applications - Investigate how blended learning can be effectively implemented in elementary classrooms.

Examine benefits and challenges -Identify the advantages and potential challenges of using blended learning.

Provide resources - Share tools, articles, and research to support educators interested in integrating blended learning.

Encourage collaboration - Promote discussions and the sharing of ideas within our virtual space to enhance the learning experience.

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Description: A flipped classroom is a teaching method where students learn content at home or outside of the classroom (usually through videos) before coming to class. Class time is then used for discussions, activities, and projects that help students apply what they’ve learned, rather than for traditional lectures.

Example for Elementary Education: In a flipped classroom, the teacher could assign a short video for students to watch at home explaining how plants grow. The video would cover basic concepts like planting a seed, watering it, and how the plant needs sunlight to grow.

Then, in class, the teacher could have an activity where students plant their own seeds in small cups and label them. As the plants grow the students would observe and track the changes and look at how the plants respond to sunlight, water, and other conditions. This hands-on activity would go over the concepts from the video to help students understand the process in a fun and interactive way.

Please share your thoughts in the comments!

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Description: In blended learning, collaborative learning projects allow students to work together both in-person and online. They use technology to share ideas and solve problems as a team. Students can collaborate during class time and also through online tools. This helps them learn from each other and develop skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Digital tools enhance their learning experience.

Example for Elementary Education: In an elementary classroom, students might use both in-person group work and online resources to create a presentation about different weather types. They can research their weather type online and then create presentations using tools like Canva, PowerPoint or Google Slides. This option allows students to practice teamwork, tech skills, and communication.

Please share your thoughts in the comments!

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Using Technology to Support Collaborative Learning

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Description: A virtual field trip is an immersive technology driven experience where students can explore places, events, or landmarks through digital platforms. These technologies include tools like 360 degree videos, interactive tours, and VR headsets, which allow students to virtually visit locations they might not be able to experience in person. Unlike traditional field trips, virtual field trips don’t require physical travel. This not only saves cost, but also allows the student to visit locations that could be almost anywhere without leaving the classroom.

Example for Elementary Education: In a virtual field trip, students could use a 360-degree video or virtual reality app to explore outer space. The teacher might guide them through a tour of the International Space Station or take them on a journey to visit planets, stars, and galaxies. While students can not physically travel to space, they can immerse themselves in these environments through this experience.

Please share your thoughts in the comments!

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Description: Gamification is the use of game elements and principles in non-game environments like classrooms. In education, it involves turning learning activities into games where students can earn points, badges, or rewards for completing tasks, achieving goals, or participating in activities.

Example for Elementary Education: A teacher have a "math challenge" game. Each student could earn points for completing math problems correctly and can "level up" to harder problems as they progress. Students could receive virtual badges or rewards when they reach milestones, like solving 100 problems or mastering a specific math concept. To add more incentives the teacher could have prizes or the class could have a something like a leaderboard to encourage friendly competition.

Please share your thoughts in the comments!

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Tim Needles: Gamification in Education | Teacher Teacher Podcast S02E01

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Overall/General Benefit: Less time spent on lectures. Teachers can focus on hands-on activities and group discussions that help students apply what they have learned.

Specific Benefit for Elementary Education: Having more interactive time allows students to engage in activities that make learning fun and memorable. This type of active learning can help young students build a deeper understanding of concepts because they are more likely to remember things they physically do.

Overall/General Challenge: This approach requires careful planning from teachers to make sure that class time is spent productively.

Specific Challenge for Elementary Education:

Elementary teachers have to balance these activities with in the time constraints of a school day. Younger students may need more structure to stay on task during hands-on activities which would take more time then what is available.

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Overall/General Benefit: Teachers can create lessons that meet the needs of individual students that offer additional resources or challenges based on their needs/performance.

Specific Benefit for Elementary Education:

For Elementary students personalized learning is helpful because it allows teachers to tailor lessons to students at different levels.

Overall/General Challenge: It can be hard to give one on one attention to every student, especially in larger classrooms.

Specific Benefit for Elementary Education:

In blended learning environments it can be difficult for teachers to address each student's needs individually, particularly when dealing with a wide range of learning abilities.

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Blended Learning Games for Elementary Classrooms

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Blended Learning Games for Elementary Classrooms

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Here are some interactive games that can be used in an elementary classroom.

ABCmouse (Comprehensive learning platform)

Epic! (Digital library of books and audiobook)

BrainPOP (Animated educational videos and quizzes)

IXL Learning (Educational lessons and games)

Raz Kids (Reading and math games)

Prodigy (A role-playing math game that reinforces skills through interactive challenges.)

Kahoot (Live quizzes that engage students in competition-style learning.)

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Overall/General Benefit: Blended learning helps students develop technology skills that are important for their future education and careers.

Specific Benefit for Elementary Education:

Blended learning helps young students start using digital tools like educational apps or online games to build important skills. These tools can make learning fun and interactive. This also helps them become comfortable with technology early on.

Overall/General Challenge: Not all students have equal access to technology or reliable internet at home.

Specific Challenge for Elementary Education:

Younger students may not have the skills to navigate resources on their own. In addition, the student may have limited technology or internet at home and could miss out on important lessons.

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Overall/General Benefit: Interactive videos, quizzes, and games can make learning more exciting and encourage students to actively engage with the material.

Specific Benefit for Elementary Education:
Blended learning keeps young students engaged by using fun, interactive tools like videos, games, and quizzes. These activities can help capture their attention and make lessons feel less like work.

Overall/General Challenge: Some students might prefer more traditional, face to face instruction and could find technology based lessons challenging or distracting.

Specific Challenge for Elementary Education:

Younger students may struggle to focus for long periods of time, especially if they are not familiar with using technology. Some might think that using digital tools are distracting or overwhelming.

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Blended learning uses both in person and online tools to make learning more engaging and flexible. Here are some great platforms teachers can use:

Padlet - A collaborative online board where users can share ideas, images, and videos.

Google Classroom - A learning management system where teachers can post assignments, share resources, and communicate with students.

Edpuzzle - A tool in which teachers can create and assign video lessons to students with interactive features to track student engagement and understanding.

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Hello, my name is Jackie. I am a Senior Applications Analyst in IT. 

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Here are the goals each group member has for this project:

Jackie Cruz: I want to get a better understanding of how technology can support blended learning in an elementary classroom and the challenges instructors face.

Alyssa Kissel: I look forward to better understanding different ways to implement blended learning in an elementary classroom across different subjects. I also am curious to dive into the benefits and challenges of blended learning.

Lauren O'Hare: I would like to become more knowledgeable about implementing blended learning into my space and making it engaging for all. I also was excited to play with Padlet and learn a little more about how to navigate the platform.

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Hi! My name is Alyssa. I am a former elementary teacher, and currently an assistant manager at a retail store.

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Description: Station rotation is a type of blended learning model in which students rotate between different stations or learning activities. These stations typically consist of a teacher-led station, and offline station/activity, and an online station. This method allows for each student to have small group or one-on-one time with the teacher and collaborate with their peers. Each station typically is connected by focusing on the same learning topic or standard.

Example for Elementary Education: In an elementary classroom, students may rotate through stations to practice a skill they have been learning in a whole group setting. A teacher may use station rotation after a reading lesson. The teacher may have one group working with them in a small group setting to practice the skill being taught. Another group will do an offline activity, such as a game or buddy reading, where they will collaborate with their peers. The third group will do an online activity, such as using Epic books or RazKids to practice their reading skills.

Please share your thoughts in the comments!

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Description: The flex model is a method in which students are in-person and in a classroom setting, but the majority of their learning is accessed through an online format. Teachers are available to assist students as needed and help personalize the learning to each individual student.

Example for Elementary Education: There are several learning programs that allow for students to watch videos and complete lesson activities online without teacher assistance. This could be completed through things like Edpuzzle, where the teacher creates a video lesson with interactive components that students will complete on their own. They could also use apps such as RazKids or IXL that provide learning activities and will help teach students through video lessons and game-like activities for practice and mastery.

Please share your thoughts in the comments!

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Overall/General Benefit:

Immediate feedback is one of the most powerful aspects of blended learning, helping students quickly identify their strengths and areas for improvement.

Not only do digital assessments and online quizzes provide instant feedback and help students to identify areas for improvement, being able to receive feedback from peers in interactive discussion boards. These ideas keep discussions active and encourages critical thinking while ensuring students receive timely input.

Overall/General Challenge:

One major challenge of providing immediate feedback in a blended learning environment is teacher workload and time management. Working over a few platforms in which you need to manage.

A challenge for a student on the receiving end of the feedback would be too much feedback. It is easier to type and point out mistakes than maybe it is to write multiple comments on papers.

There is always the chance of a platform not performing how its supposed to, and in turn creating more stress and frustration for teacher and students.

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Overall/General Benefit:

Increased Engagement and Participation

Online tools (Google Docs, Padlet, Flipgrid, discussion boards) encourage even shy students to contribute. Students can work together in real time, whether in class or remotely.

Development of Current Skills

Enhances communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and digital literacy—all essential for future careers. Encourages students to navigate digital collaboration tools used in professional settings.

Flexible and Accessible Collaboration

Students can work on projects anytime, anywhere, reducing time constraints.

Exposure to Diverse Perspectives

Blended learning enables collaboration beyond the classroom (e.g., connecting with peers in different schools or countries). Encourages students to consider different viewpoints and problem-solving approaches.

Teacher as a Facilitator

The teacher shifts from a lecturer to a guide, helping students take ownership of their learning. Digital tools provide analytics on participation, helping teachers track engagement and adjust support accordingly.

Overall/General Challenge:

Unequal Participation & Accountability

Some students may dominate discussions, while others remain passive. Unequal contributions in group projects can cause frustration.

Technology Barriers

Not all students have equal access to devices or reliable internet at home. Learning new collaboration tools can be overwhelming for some students.

Communication Challenges

Miscommunication can occur in online discussions due to lack of tone and body language.

Difficulty in Assessing Individual Contributions

It can be hard to assess each student's learning when they work as a group. Some students may let others do most of the work.

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Keeping families involved in student learning.

Remind – A simple messaging app for parent-teacher communication.

Bloomz – A tool for class updates, scheduling, and parent engagement.

Class DOJO- Helps with behavior management, student portfolios, and parent communication.

Seesaw Family – Lets parents see and comment on their child’s work.

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Elementary Blended Learning Challenges: Share Your Thoughts

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Elementary Blended Learning Challenges: Share Your Thoughts

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Are there any other major challenges for Blended Learning in an elementary classroom? Please share your thoughts in the comments!

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What do you think is the biggest challenge of blended learning in an elementary classroom?

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Students struggling with self paced learning

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Poll: Have You Ever Used Blended Learning?

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Poll: Have You Ever Used Blended Learning?

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Share your experiences or questions in the comments!

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Have you ever used blended learning in your classroom or learning experience?

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Do you agree with this definition of Blended Learning?

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Do you agree with this definition of Blended Learning?

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Does this definition match your understanding or experience?

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Which aspect of blended learning do you find most beneficial?

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What professional development topic would most help you implement blended learning effectively?

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Best practices for managing a blended classroom

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Effective use of digital tools and platforms

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Strategies for differentiating instruction in a blended model

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Assessing student progress in a blended learning environment