Tucker - Blended Learning in Grades 4-12: Leveraging the Power of Technology to Create Student-Centered Classrooms

Blended
Learning

in Grades 412

For my Grandpa Ken
Your wisdom, insight, and passion for learning inspire me.
Thank you for your endless support,
enthusiasm, and love on this journey.

Blended
Learning

in Grades 412

Leveraging the
Power of Technology
to Create
STUDENT-CENTERED
Classrooms

Catlin R. Tucker

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Copyright 2012 by Corwin

All rights reserved. When forms and sample documents are included, their use is authorized only by educators, local school sites, and/or noncommercial or nonprofit entities that have purchased the book. Except for that usage, no part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Tucker, Catlin R.

Blended learning in grades 4-12: leveraging the power of technology to create student-centered classrooms /Catlin R. Tucker.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-4522-4086-2 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Student-centered learning. 2. Blended learning. I. Title.

LB1027.23.T84 2012
371.3dc23 2012016181

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

12 13 14 15 16 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Are Based on the Following Assumptions

A dditional materials and resources related to Blended Learning in Grades 412 can be found at www.corwin.com/blendedlearning4-12.

Common Core State Standards: Upper Elementary English

Example Writing Task: Opinion. Do You Like the Secondary Characters in Lewis Carrolls Alice in Wonderland?

Example Writing Task: Informative. In the Book The Black Stallion by Walter Farley, How Does Alec Ramsey Grow and Develop as a Character?

Example Writing Task: Narrative. Home Sweet Home: Imagine You Live in This House Tell Your Story!

Common Core State Standards: Middle School English

Example Discussion Topic: Character Analysis. Little Women: Characters Revealed

Example Discussion Topic: Literary Analysis. The Dark Is Rising: Inspired by British Myth, History, Tradition, and Legends About King Arthur

Example Writing Task: Narrative. Your Road Not Taken

Common Core State Standards: High School English

Example Writing Task: Argument. Of Mice and Men Essay: Do You Think George Made the Right Decision When He Shot Lennie?

Example Writing Task: Informative/Explanatory. Grapes of Wrath Essay: Family Is Necessary to Survival

Example Writing Task: Narrative. Getting Creative With F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby

Reference

I wish I could say my decision to adopt a blended learning model stemmed from a desire to be innovative and progressive. To be honest, it came from a place of desperation. I was drowning in work. Larger class sizes, overwhelming stacks of grading, and more pressure from administration to prepare students for high-stakes standardized exams were the true catalysts that led me to adopt a blended learning model.

I was hesitant, even skeptical, at first. I worried about student access to technology, the time required to facilitate online work, and how I would create a virtual safe space to support respectful dialogue.

I had eight years experience teaching high school English in the classroom and three years experience teaching online college-level writing courses. My goal was to blend the best of both worldsthe face-to-face interaction of the classroom with the flexibility of online discussions, collaboration, and group workin order to enhance my effectiveness and combat the growing number of pain points afflicting the teaching profession.

I have learned a great deal about the Web tools available to me over the last few years. And I have explored the limitless potential of online discussions as a foundation for myriad online assignments. I evolved from asking analytical questions about literature to using my learning platform to support collaborative group work, creative writing, peer editing, student-driven projects, and standardized test practice. As a result, I feel more empowered. I realize that technology cannot replace me, but it can make me more effective, decrease my grading load, and teach my students critical 21st century skills they will use long after they have left my class.

Most teachers are so overworked it is daunting to imagine shifting to a blended learning model. This book presents a clear path teachers can take to adopt a blended learning model that works for them and their students.