Overtime, the popularity of blended classrooms has increased; a blended classroom is student centered and utilizes technology. It includes the use of technology alongside an instructor led classroom. Since it is student centered, students are able to guide and influence their learning. Students working in a blended classroom have the opportunity to work at their own pace. It can help students improve their learning and boost their engagement. For example, a student who may not participate in class may feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts in an online discussion with their class. Blended classrooms utilize many different forms of technology which include computers, smartphones, tablets, in-class response systems, etc. Even though there are many benefits of a blended classroom, we cannot forget the importance of a traditional classroom setting. It is important to find a balance between the two in order to create the most effective learning environment for students.

As a future teacher, I will look at aspects that can be taken from both a blended and traditional classroom in order to create a setting to aid future students in learning to the best of their abilities. I believe their needs to be components from both blended and traditional classrooms to maximize the success of students. First, I will be discussing the aspects of a blended classroom, specifically the technological components that should be integrated into classrooms. Earlier I discussed that blended classrooms are student centered, this is an important factor that should be integrated into classrooms. The help of online programs can aid students in following the curriculum at their own pace. It also assists the teacher in visually seeing the level that each student is at, which can benefit the teacher in class lessons and activities giving them the ability to adjust lessons and activities to enhance student learning.

Using technology in the classroom can also assist students who may have difficulty interacting with peers. This relates to the example that I spoke about earlier in regards to students who do not enjoy sharing in class, there are many students who fear being called on and sharing in a classroom setting. In order to make these students feel more comfortable, it is important to utilize an online discussion method.  This gives these students the opportunity and confidence to share their thoughts. A platform that could be used is google classroom, where students can share their answer as well as look at what their peers have written.  It gives students more assurance as well as gives them the opportunity to still analyze what their classmates have discussed.

Another use for technology in the classroom is to help guide instruction. Some students may not process all the information given to them in a teacher guided lecture or lesson, so the use of educational videos can be helpful for students who learn visually. I relate to this personally being a visual learner, when in high school my math teacher would teach the lesson but also show an educational video which helped my understanding. Teachers could utilize the smartboard, which is a popular use of technology in classrooms. Alternately the teacher can talk and discuss while having beneficial images on the smartboard, to again help those who are visual learners.

All of these technological aspects can be extremely useful in a classroom, and there are significant aspects from a traditional classroom that should be used a long side technology. Even though a teacher should give students the ability to use an online discussion method it is really important to also incorporate group work. As teachers we should try and create an open and accepting environment where students feel confident enough to collaborate and work with classmates. This type of environment can be created by starting off school with ice breaker activities and teaching students to be kind and accepting to everyone even if they may be different.  An essential part of school is teaching students socialization, which is lost if all discussions are done online.

In many traditional classrooms there is not a lot of technology present and even though the use of technology in the classroom can benefit students, it is important to limit their use. There can be many distractions if too much time is focused on instruction with the use of technology. An overuse of technology can have a negative impact on students causing some to become addicted or disconnected from the world. We need to set a foundation early on that technology in school should be used for learning and set a schedule for the appropriate time to utilize it.

Overall blended classrooms have gained great support over the years and have become very popular. In order to create a successful and supportive classroom environment it is important to incorporate aspects of technology from a blended classroom and non-technology components of traditional classroom to aid students. There are many aspects of technology that can be utilized to help students learn the best they can but too much technology can also have an unfavorable impact on students. As teachers or future teachers, we need to find the happy medium between technology and non- technology learning in order to construct a strong learning environment for students.

References

“Defining Blended Learning – What It Is, And What It Isn’t.” Panopto Video Platform, 6 Nov. 2018, http://www.panopto.com/blog/what-is-blended-learning/.

“Blended Learning – What Is Blended Learning for Language.” Global LT, 4 Feb. 2019

Paduraru, Carmen. “The Advantages of Traditional Classroom Learning.” Synonym, 21 Nov. 2017, classroom.synonym.com/advantages-traditional-classroom-learning-7964781.html.

Thompson, Michael. “Definition of a Blended Classroom.” Education Elements, 6 Sept. 2012, http://www.edelements.com/definition-of-a-blended-classroom.