Thursday, January 23, 2014

2013 Trends in Online Learning Virtual, Blended and Flipped Classrooms

        

  About the research

After reading the report of "2013 Trends in Online Learning Virtual, Blended and Flipped Classrooms",   I was surprised that high technology had been slipped into K-12 classrooms already.  I found that the use of a variety of online learning strategies with students is not only found in colleges or grad schools. In fact, many teachers in K-12 classrooms are utilizing technology in their teaching nowadays. Moreover, there are different forms of learning models, such as virtual, blended and flipped learning. This research grants me a better understanding of today’s K-12 education.


 Data from the survey

Some of the highlights of this latest update Speak Up data are 1) school administrators, online learning teachers, students and parents who participated in the survey seem to agree online learning options provide more ways to help students engage in learning; 2) students see online learning is more personal and self-paced learning; 3) online learning teachers believe online learning motivate students’ learning more and is an efficient way for teachers and students to communicate and connect around learning materials; and 4) more students and parents are interested in the value of online learning and wish their schools would provide more online learning for the students. 
      

My little thoughts

This report gives me a great insight of using digital and technology in K-12 classrooms. I agree that using a variety of online learning strategies with children can improve students’ academic performance, enhance teachers’ effectiveness and engage parents’ involvement. Online learning allows students working at their own pace. They can rewind, pause and review the learning materials at their own time. Since our young generation is raised in the high-technology society, they definitely would be fascinated in the digital learning environment. However, I think the school administers and teachers have to make sure the students can access online learning without any obstacles before they offer the online courses and digital learning materials.  That would be awesome all the students have the same opportunity to access online learning; especially the low income students. As they may have limited accessibility to online resources, they may benefit a lot from getting such resources.


According from the report, it can be a challenge for teachers incorporate technology in teaching. We should understand that not all teachers are “tech-person”. They need a great amount of support and training to teach in virtual, blended and flipped classrooms. Therefore, how to mobilize and equip our educators to transform their teaching techniques to a cyber level is a big project!    

Source of Research: Project Tomorrow and Blackboard K-12

                                 Speak Up 2012 National Data

                                 June 2013

                                       http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/2013_OnlineLearningReport.html


   



1 comment:

  1. Very nice reflection, Sau Lan. I loved the use of subheadings (and I would never say your thoughts were 'little'). I also like how you chose research that ties into your "Trends in Ed Tech" topic. Nice job!

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