My Perspective on Blended Learning

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        I remember using blended learning for a large portion of my time in K-12 school, although I wasn't aware of the term then. When I was in elementary school we had a reading program where we earned points for how many books we read, but to prove that we read the book, we had to take a test on the classroom computer. I also remember playing math and reading games in the computer lab at the end of a unit. Going into junior high and high school, we often played Kahoot or Quizziz as a study day before a test. During that time we also had Chromebooks, so we would often be asked to research things online. I didn't mind any of it, and the games in elementary school were fun. 

        I think that blended learning can better assess where individual students are struggling. In a lecture, you can talk about a subject and maybe get a clue of who is understanding it, but with a virtual thing like Kahoot, you can see how many students really understand. With the math and reading games that I had played in elementary, the teacher could see how far each student had gotten and be able to help those who were farther behind. Also with these online resources, there wasn't the pressure of a grade attached to it. We could try our best and get help if we needed, but it was just a game. It definitely made it less stressful to "study" when it was in a game format.

        In a music classroom I think blended learning may be a little more tricky. There are definitely ways to make opportunities to listen to a piece online as a form of class credit, beyond that I am not quite sure. Another idea may be music theory online modules. I have completed things like that in college, but they make easier levels as well. In an attempt to make the access to that equitable, it could be an in class activity. I do believe that most of the class time in band should be spent actually playing your instrument in some capacity, so I personally would probably keep technology to a minimum.

        I think that in the case of a general education classroom, too much technology can be a really bad thing. The generation of students that we see now have so much internet and technology access at home, in my opinion too much screen time in school on top of that could be a negative for their health. I think that an effective use of digital curriculum would be pretty close to my own elementary experience where we learned most things through instruction and then reinforced the information with digital components like math or reading games. That also ensures a more equitable access to the curriculum itself because some students may not have the resources to use their school tech devices at home.

        I do believe that blended learning is a good way to teach because it brings in things that students are interested in. I definitely paid more attention when I knew that I could advance in my math game with the information that the teacher was giving me. Kids now are so involved in technology that I feel like that almost wouldn't want to do anything if there wasn't a tech component to it. But as with everything, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.

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