An “innovator and critical thinker” is what Ms. Markoff suggested a teacher has to be to help ensure the success of a blended learning model.  I couldn’t agree more.  Technology is not something we can just sit on a student’s desk and say “go and learn!”  The laptop or iPad is merely an extension of the teacher.  Teachers are more important to their learners in a blended environment than in the traditional classroom.  We have the task of finding the most valuable digital tools to assist in their learning.  

 Flexibility is another component to consider when implementing blended learning opportunities.  That was one of the first big lessons I learned in my undergraduate program.  As an educator, we had to be ready to pivot in a matter of minutes if a lesson or activity was not working for our learners.  But are teachers really flexible?  I know that lesson planning takes a big chunk out of my day during the school year.  During my PLC time with my team, we spent so many hours discussing and strategizing for concerns about how our students could misunderstand or get confused.  Was this planning necessary?  Mr. Ito hinted that might be the case when he talked about the “Pull over Push.”   He spoke about how not everything needs to be planned.  This is where flexibility comes into play.  While I plan with my team, my classroom will look different from theirs.  I have learned to always do what is best for me and my students over the needs of my team.  This is how I am a “Now-ist.”  This goes hand and hand with being committed and flexible. 

Does this mean I totally ignore feedback from my team or anyone outside of my classroom?  No!  If I do what my team thinks I should do, I would not be creating the necessary classroom experience for my students.  My expertise and relationships with my learners help me make those decisions for their access to choice and voice in the classroom.  I can learn from their experiences and advice.  I cannot grow as an educator on my own.  I need to ask for help when necessary and get up and try again after I fail miserably!  This is the mindset I want my students to have too!  I know that, for as much as I promote the growth mindset, my words are meaningless without my actions matching them.  

21st-century skills are imperative for a learner’s success.  It is my obligation to provide authentic experiences in my classroom to help them mold and refine those skills.  We also have to make them benefit personally for our students.  If a student does not see or understand the value of learning, can they truly be successful?  It is at this point that our job becomes a lot more difficult to re-engage that student.  We have to be intentional about our learning experiences.  Innovative practices that technology affords are how we accomplish that.

References

Perry, J. (2015, May 15). Joi Ito Want to innovate? Become a “now ist” [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRAMQJJu7uY&feature=youtu.be

TEDx Talks. (2014, May 6). Click here — blended learning and the future of education: Monique Markoff at TEDxIthacaCollege [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb2d8E1dZjY&feature=youtu.be