Blended Learning and ELT

Victor CastroInstituto Guatemalteco Americano – IGA

ABLA 2010 Cali, Colombia

Overview

• Five aspects– Platform– Content– Community– Teacher role– Student training

• Two experiences– Teacher training– Student instruction

Background• 3 years ago we installed IWBs in our classrooms as part of

a strategic plan to add value and differentiate ourselves by offering technology to enhance our teaching.

• This was the catalyst that led to our exploration of blended learning as an alternative

• Many of the lessons learned during the implementation of IWBs are now being applied to the planning and implementation of blended learning.

Blended Learning

Community

Content

Platform

Blended Learning

Community

Teacher Training

Student Training

Platform

Web 2.0 = WWW + BBS

Platform

Platform

• Moodle– Open standards (we can

transition to a different platform in the future)

– Free (low risk)– Scalable– Secure– Flexible (many different

kinds of learning objects)

• DotLRN• Blackboard• Facebook

(Schoology)

Content

• Buy• Build• Borrow

Content - Buy

• LEI• English Discoveries• Campus

• Software as service• Content and platform

Content - Build

Content

• Learning object – proof of concept. Video lessons– Hot potatoes

Content - Borrow

Content

Borrow• Dynamic community• Exchange

Share• Generate traffic• Reputation

Community

• Student Community Centered– Building and maintaining a community of practice.

• Engagement– Activities, moderators, tumblers.

• Motivation– Rewards, badges, etc.

Community – Teacher

Role• Monitor• Moderator• Tumbler

Skills• Computer skills• Social Networks• Digital Communication• Online Presence• School of Teacher

Development – Educational Technology module– Search strategies– Learning Strategies– Affordance.

Community - Students

• Student Orientation• Student Training– Manuals– Demonstrations

• Rewards and incentives– Profiles, badges.

Blended Learning Applied to Teacher Training

• Online Materials• Skype conferences• Meetings once a week

http://teaching.iga.edu

Blended Learning Applied to Student Instruction

• Companion courses• Formal Blended learning courses

– 3 hour sessions per unit.– 60% of score applied to online work– 40% of score applied to face-to-face session participation and

evaluation• Encouraging teachers to run classes using different platforms.

http://learining.iga.edu

Discussion

• How relevant is blended learning in your BNC today?

• What is your experience in blended learning and technology use in your BNC?

• What are your short/medium term plans concerning blended or online offerings?

• A) we are currently offering online or blended courses.• B) It is in our plans for the future and we are planning to…• C) It is not in our short or medium term plans because…