Part 3: Select Strategies and Resources
Select Strategies
I selected the blending learning strategy of a rotation model with a station rotation component. This strategy would most easily fit into the structure already in place within a traditional high school model while still implementing many of the benefits of a blended learning approach. The rotation is composed of three stations combining direct instruction from the teacher, individual learning time, and partner work using web 2.0 tools.
The small group station will feature direct instruction from the teacher regarding the goals for the lesson, an overview of how to use the web 2.0 tools Symbaloo and Padlet which will be featured in the lesson, and an explanation to students about how the overall work will be graded. The individual learning stations will feature a video lesson recorded by the teacher that covers the main instructional content of the lesson (in this case, an overview of key characteristics of eras in music history) recorded using VoiceThread. The group work station will include the students working with partners to create a Padlet wall that includes information for specific music historical eras that students discover from appropriate Internet research along with textual commentary to create a comprehensive overview of the topic.
Select Resources
Technology and Media. This lesson features the web 2.0 tools Symbalo and Padlet to be used by the students, and VoiceThread to be used by the teacher to provide blended instruction. Symbalo is used as an organization tool for the students to visually bookmark web resources they encounter while researching the instructional topic. Padlet is a virtual bulletin board tool that students, working collaboratively, will use to highlight the best of their web research while adding their own textual commentary to link the resources and demonstrate depth of knowledge and understanding of the topic. VoiceThread is an online collaborative sharing tool allowing the user to provide audio commentary to a variety of media. In this case, VoiceThread will be used by the teacher to create a video instructional piece for blended instruction.
The following guidelines from the ASSURE model helped guide my selection of technology and media tools for this lesson:
· Does it match the curriculum? Yes. These tools are robust enough that they can be used in a multitude of curriculum settings, including music. Students can achieve the learning objectives by using these resources.
· Is it accurate and current? This guideline is not applicable for the chosen technology. In general, the tools could be classified as current as they are up-to-date with current trends in instructional technology.
· Does it contain clear and concise language? Yes. Students in grades 9-12 with the ability to read and comprehend basic English text should be able to use the tools. Padlet provides support in 29 additional languages.
· Will it motivate and maintain interest? Yes. It is expected that students will find these tools enjoyable to use and the independent nature of the assignment should increase student motivation towards the learning target.
· Does it provide for learner participation? Yes. These tools are engaging to users and provide ample opportunities for active learner participation.
· Is it of good technical quality? Yes, these tools are of good technical quality.
· Is there evidence of its effectiveness (e.g., field-test results)? I am not aware of field-test results of effectiveness. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that students will find these tools to be effective.
· Is it free from objectionable bias and advertising? Generally speaking, yes. Students may encounter some advertising while using the Internet for research.
· Is a user guide or other documentation included? Yes, all tools have adequate help sections. They tend to be fairly easy to use and understand by the very nature of being web 2.0 tools with a heavy visual emphasis. Students also have the ability to seek help from the instructor and school media specialists who will be in the labs while work is being completed.
Select Materials
The lesson includes a teacher-produced assignment sheet that provides a rationale of the instructional unit and detailed instructions for completion. This assignment sheet was newly created by the teacher as it is very specific to the instructional unit being presented and could not be modified from any existing material.
The instructional video created by the teacher using VoiceThread is modified from an original PowerPoint presentation formally used to provide direct instruction in a traditional classroom model.
I selected the blending learning strategy of a rotation model with a station rotation component. This strategy would most easily fit into the structure already in place within a traditional high school model while still implementing many of the benefits of a blended learning approach. The rotation is composed of three stations combining direct instruction from the teacher, individual learning time, and partner work using web 2.0 tools.
The small group station will feature direct instruction from the teacher regarding the goals for the lesson, an overview of how to use the web 2.0 tools Symbaloo and Padlet which will be featured in the lesson, and an explanation to students about how the overall work will be graded. The individual learning stations will feature a video lesson recorded by the teacher that covers the main instructional content of the lesson (in this case, an overview of key characteristics of eras in music history) recorded using VoiceThread. The group work station will include the students working with partners to create a Padlet wall that includes information for specific music historical eras that students discover from appropriate Internet research along with textual commentary to create a comprehensive overview of the topic.
Select Resources
Technology and Media. This lesson features the web 2.0 tools Symbalo and Padlet to be used by the students, and VoiceThread to be used by the teacher to provide blended instruction. Symbalo is used as an organization tool for the students to visually bookmark web resources they encounter while researching the instructional topic. Padlet is a virtual bulletin board tool that students, working collaboratively, will use to highlight the best of their web research while adding their own textual commentary to link the resources and demonstrate depth of knowledge and understanding of the topic. VoiceThread is an online collaborative sharing tool allowing the user to provide audio commentary to a variety of media. In this case, VoiceThread will be used by the teacher to create a video instructional piece for blended instruction.
The following guidelines from the ASSURE model helped guide my selection of technology and media tools for this lesson:
· Does it match the curriculum? Yes. These tools are robust enough that they can be used in a multitude of curriculum settings, including music. Students can achieve the learning objectives by using these resources.
· Is it accurate and current? This guideline is not applicable for the chosen technology. In general, the tools could be classified as current as they are up-to-date with current trends in instructional technology.
· Does it contain clear and concise language? Yes. Students in grades 9-12 with the ability to read and comprehend basic English text should be able to use the tools. Padlet provides support in 29 additional languages.
· Will it motivate and maintain interest? Yes. It is expected that students will find these tools enjoyable to use and the independent nature of the assignment should increase student motivation towards the learning target.
· Does it provide for learner participation? Yes. These tools are engaging to users and provide ample opportunities for active learner participation.
· Is it of good technical quality? Yes, these tools are of good technical quality.
· Is there evidence of its effectiveness (e.g., field-test results)? I am not aware of field-test results of effectiveness. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that students will find these tools to be effective.
· Is it free from objectionable bias and advertising? Generally speaking, yes. Students may encounter some advertising while using the Internet for research.
· Is a user guide or other documentation included? Yes, all tools have adequate help sections. They tend to be fairly easy to use and understand by the very nature of being web 2.0 tools with a heavy visual emphasis. Students also have the ability to seek help from the instructor and school media specialists who will be in the labs while work is being completed.
Select Materials
The lesson includes a teacher-produced assignment sheet that provides a rationale of the instructional unit and detailed instructions for completion. This assignment sheet was newly created by the teacher as it is very specific to the instructional unit being presented and could not be modified from any existing material.
The instructional video created by the teacher using VoiceThread is modified from an original PowerPoint presentation formally used to provide direct instruction in a traditional classroom model.