Page 6 Students First Timrod Elementary School uses blended learning classroom model Timrod Elementary has implemented Blended Learning schoolwide in ELA and Mathematics. Blended Learning is a combination of traditional teaching methods, such as face-to-face lecture, with web-based content and instruction. Moving to this model allows for differentiated instruction with students. Our blended learning model consists of rotational workstations for students on their academic levels. Each classroom has a collaboration, independent, technology and teacher-directed station. The classroom teacher begins her lesson as a whole class and presents a mini lesson for students on the targeted standard. Students are organized in groups and are assigned to different workstations for that block of instructional time. Blended learning environments create better opportunities for teacher collaboration, enable differentiated staffing and boost meaningful professional development opportunities. Looking at and analyzing assessments, teachers have a flood of expanded and enhanced student data at their fingertips. This improves efficiency and decreases time spent with routine tasks and record keeping. Time saved from the thoughtful implementation of technology can be reinvested in working with students and collaborating with other teachers. Timrod has found several advantages for implementing blended learning. This innovative way of learning is studentcentered instead of teacher-driven. Learning is personalized and students are taught to be accountable for their own learning. This model meets the needs of ALL students. Implementation of technology is leveraged and purposeful for learning. Instruction is truly data driven by utilizing previous assessments. Modalities of learning are interconnected. Students feel successful every day and are engaged with learning. An essential component of blended learning is the teacher-directed instruction. The teacher creates lessons based upon the ability level of students and works with students in a small group. During this station, the teacher models for students the standard that is being addressed in the lesson. The student is also given guided and independent practice. Before moving to the next rotation, student review the standard and the classroom teacher provides a closure to the lesson. Students have an opportunity to engage in online activities during ELA and Math. They visit websites such as Moby Max, Read Works, Achieve 3000, and Smarty Ants to practice engaging activities that correlate to South Carolina State Standards. Classroom management is necessary for blended learning to be effective for students. Students engage in a rotation model during this practice. Instruction is given in each station for fifteen to twenty minutes and students are given a directive to change to another station. This gives students a chance to be mobile in the classroom. “Blended Learning has changed our school culture for teachers and students,” said Timrod Principal Michelle McBride. “Students are actively engaged in learning during this model of teaching. I have been extremely impressed with students’ knowledge to explain what they are learning and they light up speaking about their experiences with blended learning.”
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