Top 5 Benefits of Blended Learning

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Blended learning has fast become a part and parcel of the teaching vocabulary as we move towards using technology in the classroom. If you are still considering if blended learning is suitable for your class, the below benefits might just help you make up your mind.
  
Related: Quick Guide to Blended Learning

Improves efficiency
Blended learning allows teachers to use their time more efficiently by combining digital instruction and one-on-one face time in the classroom. When students use technologies to research new concepts, teachers can use the additional class time to give struggling students the attention that they need. This way, teachers can give attention to struggling students without holding up the rest of the class. The more advanced students are encouraged to learn independently through research as they complete their assignment.  In a traditional classroom, teachers usually have to either ignore the struggling students or slowing down the class for the sake of the struggling ones. With blended learning, teachers can now streamline their instruction to help all students reach their full potential.

Improves Engagement
School lessons that integrate technology into its syllabus will more likely attract and maintain students’ interest. Subjects that can is considered monotonous or intimidating such as math and science will be more engaging when combined with virtual lessons, tutoring, and educational videos. With these resources to attract and retain students’ interest, their engagement will naturally improve.

Personalized Learning
Blended learning enables personalize education in a way that a traditional classroom setup cannot. When teachers conduct a lesson on a new concept, students of varying academic skill levels are not able to take extra time or work ahead as they want to. In other words, struggling students and advanced students are forced to learn at the same rate, and that’s counterproductive for both types of students. Blended learning allows students to work at their own pace, making sure they fully understand new concepts before moving on. On the other spectrum, blended learning also allows advanced students to work ahead, and thus ensuring that every student stays engaged.

Prepares Students for the Future Workforce
Teachers and students will develop skills essential for the 21st century by learning to use technology in the classroom. But more than that, students will learn critical thinking and workplace skills they will need to be successful in the future. Education is no longer just about learning and memorizing facts and figures. It’s about collaborating with others, solving complex problems, developing communication and leadership skills, and improving motivation and productivity. Blended learning can help fill the gap that traditional learning models aren’t able to.

Improves Performance Measurement
Software used with blended learning programs is able to collect student data that measures academic progress more efficiently. Teachers will be able to clearly see the areas in which each student is excelling, and where he or she may need more guidance, and act accordingly.



Sources: www.dreambox.com and www.nms.org 

Blended Learning

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Quick Guide to Blended Learning 
Blended learning has been creating a buzz in the education industry and rightly so due to the advance of technology in education. Been curious about blended learning? The beginner’s guide below is just the thing you need.  

What is It?
Wikipedia defines blended learning as a formal education program in which a student learns at least in part through the delivery of content and instruction via digital and online media. The student will have control over time, place, path, or pace of the delivery. While still attending a physical school, face-to-face classroom methods are combined with technology or specifically computer-mediated activities. 

Background Story
Contrary to popular belief, blended learning isn’t a new concept and has been around for a long time. The terminology was only firmly established at the beginning of the 21st century. The meaning of blended learning widely diverged to encompass a wide variety of synthesis in learning methods until 2006 when the first Handbook of Blended Learning by Bonk and Graham was published. Graham challenged the vague definition of the term's definition, and subsequently defined blended learning systems that ‘combine face-to-face instruction with computer-mediated instruction’.

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Models of Blended Learning 
According to the Clayton Christensen Institute, a non-profit think tank, the majority of blended-learning programs resemble one of four models: Rotation, Flex, A La Carte, and Enriched Virtual. 

Rotation Model: In this model, students are to rotate between different stations on a fixed schedule – either working online or face to face with a teacher. The rotational model is widely used in elementary schools because many are already set up to have students rotate between stations. The Rotation model includes four sub-models that include station rotation, lab rotation, flipped classroom and individual rotation. 

Flex Model: In this model, students move on a customized and fluid schedule among learning modalities. Students learn mostly in a physical campus, except for assignments. A teacher provides face-to-face support on a flexible and as-needed basis through activities such as group discussions and projects and individual tutoring. This way, teachers can spend more time with certain students as needed. This flexible model also allows students to interact and help each other thus lessening the need for teacher’s intervention. Some implementations of this model have substantial face-to-face support, whereas others have minimal support. For example, some Flex models may have face-to-face certified teachers who supplement the online learning on a daily basis while others may provide little face-to-face sessions. 

A La Carte Model: In this model, students take the entire course online but will still spend a portion of their time in a physical school to complete other courses. The ala carte course or courses are only part of the students’ curriculum. Students take some courses a la carte and others face to face at a physical campus, and this is where the model differs from a full-time online learning model. This model enables students to expand their interests by giving them an opportunity to take courses that are not available at their schools. 

Enriched Virtual Model:  In this model, students have to complete a required face-to-face learning session with their teacher and are free to complete their remaining coursework remotely. Online learning is the backbone of student learning when the students are located remotely. The same teacher will serve as both the online and face-to-face teacher. Many enriched virtual programs began as full-time online schools and then developed blended programs to provide students with physical school experiences. This model differs from the flipped classroom because, in enriched virtual programs, students don’t meet their teachers every weekday. It differs from a fully online course because face-to-face learning sessions are not optional. Students are required to meet their teachers as part of the fulfillment of the course.  






Source: www.dreambox.com, and www.christenseninstitute.org   

Top 5 Benefits of Learning to Code

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“Coding is the new literacy. To thrive in tomorrow’s society, young people must learn to design, create and express themselves with digital technologies,” says Mitchel Resnick, a media arts and sciences professor at the MIT Media Lab. Mitchel is essentially saying coding is the new language that young people must learn to succeed in the future.

What is Coding?

Code is a set of instructions that computers can understand. Coding is a means to instruct computers to do certain tasks. Some say learning to code is similar to learning a new language because you are speaking a language that computers understand. For more details on coding, Watch What is Coding? 15 Facts for Beginners here. 

Top 5 Benefits 

Problem-Solving Skills 
“I don’t think everyone will be a coder, but the ability to speak and structure your thinking in a way a computer understands will be one of the core future skills in whatever field,” says Linda Liukas, founder of the Rails Girls coding organization. Ultimately, children can benefit from learning to code because they learn computational thinking. Computational thinking is a valuable problem-solving skill that everyone needs. To know more about computational thinking, read Computational Thinking Decoded here. 

High in Demand 
Coding is one of the most sought after skill in the current and future workforce. Coding is also one of the major components of STEM education. In fact, many countries are considering making coding a subject in the school curriculum. Need more convincing? Check out the top 5 Companies with the Most STEM Job Openings Now. Aside from that, coding can be fun so be sure to pick programming languages and concepts that interest you. What’s better than having a fun job that will pay handsomely right?

Planning Skills
Programming and coding involve analysing your desired outcome and figuring out how to get there. In other words, you need to plan. As you figure out the steps you need to get your desired result, you are primarily using planning skills. You will also develop an analytical approach to your steps to ensure they work.

Learning Complex Concepts
Programming is unique because you can learn new concepts that are rare in other disciplines. One popular concept that’s common in coding is recursion. Recursion is a process that calls itself until it meets a particular condition. You will be exposed to a lot of complex concepts similar to recursion when you learn to code. This exposure will enhance your ability to understand other complex concepts in the future.

Different Perspectives
Coding exposes you to various concepts, and that will affect the way you perceive things. Every programming language has its concepts, and every time you learn one of them your perception changes. Programming is similar to playing music or painting in the way that it leaves an enormous impact in the way you think by opening new possibilities. In other words, programming forces you to act with an open mind.






Source: www.freestylemind.com , www.codeconquest.com, http://dailytekk.com  and www.connectionsacademy.com

Computational Thinking Decoded

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Wikipedia defines computational thinking as a process that generalizes a solution to open-ended problems. Computational thinking is a collection of diverse skills to do with problem solving that result from studying the nature of computation. It includes important skills such as creativity, ability to explain and teamwork. It also consists of specific problem-solving skills such as the ability to think logically, algorithmically and recursively. 

Top 5 Components
Here are the top five components of computational thinking: 

Logical thinking: Logical thinking is about deducing as much new information as possible from the little you have but not by jumping to conclusions. Want an example? Think Spock from Star Trek and you will get a good idea of what a logical thinker is. 

Algorithmic thinking: An algorithm is a precise, step-by-step set of instructions for solving a task. Algorithmic thinking is the ability to think in terms of such algorithms to solve problems. It is a core skill people develop when they learn to write computer programs. Algorithmic thinking is needed when solving similar problems, so you don’t have to come up with a solution every time. To put it simply, you are coming up with a sequence of steps that solve a type of problem, and everyone following those steps will be able to come to the same solution. Want a hands-on experience? Give it a shot @ Nought and Crosses.

Efficiency solutions: This thinking refers to solving a problem with the least amount of time and resources. In other words, what matters is finding ways to complete a task or solve a problem in as few steps as possible. One good example is solving the Rubik’s Cube. What matters is that you come up with a way that takes as few steps as possible to get to the solution however the cube started. Play the Rubik’s Cube here. 

Scientific thinking: Scientific thinking involves applying skepticism to ideas and forming testable hypotheses. A hypothesis is often defined as an educated guess or a prediction based on information collected. This means scientific thinking only takes into account of what is supported by evidence. This thinking also involves coming up with experiments and tests to prove whether a theory or an idea is true or false.  Want a taste of scientific thinking? Try solving the Coal and Carrot Mystery. 

Innovative thinking: Innovative thinking revolves around seeing something that others have missed. It’s also about being able to come up with new ideas and making it practical for the market. People who innovate do more than just generate new ideas as they also push their ideas to get people to use them. 

Drop us a line to share your thoughts on computational thinking. 



Source: www.cs4fn.org and www.wikipedia.com

Do the Arts belong in STEM?

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There’s a hot debate on whether the arts belong in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. Let’s take a look at the two schools of thought. 

STEM education is such a hit because research shows that students need more in-depth knowledge of math and science. Children who study STEM also develop a variety of skills that are essential for the future workforce such as critical thinking and problem solving, creativity and innovation, communication, collaboration and entrepreneurship. 

STEM is a specific program designed for a specific purpose—to integrate and apply knowledge of math and science in order to create technologies and solutions for real-world problems, using an engineering design approach. So, where do the arts fit into the equation?

The arts enthusiasts insist that engineering and technology can certainly serve the artist and help create art. But differing opinion surfaces if we're talking about how one can use art in engineering as an artist. According to arts enthusiasts, then everyone is missing the point and devaluing art’s purpose and importance. In other words, the arts aren’t there to play second leads to math and science.  

STEAM – ‘A’ stands for art – focuses on the critical need for creativity when solving problems, instead of relying solely on memorization and standard formulas. “A rounded education means you have to have some sense of expression. That’s what the STEAM concept is all about,” Lee Baumgarten, a former professor turned full-time artist says. “The arts bring in the creativity. You can’t really redefine anything without some kind of creativity.” Baumgarten is passionate about putting the ‘A’ back to where it belongs – in STEM.  

Harvard University education professor Howard Gardner feels the same way, "I have no hesitation in saying we need to add the letter A. An education devoid of arts…is an empty, half-brain kind of education." 

One thing that both schools of thoughts agree on is that the old education system is lacking. “A hundred years ago we devised a school system where you sit in rows. You don’t ask questions. You listen and learn and memorize,” Baumgarten says. But this system doesn’t cut it anymore. 
What the world needs now is creative problem solvers and Baumgarten thinks adding the arts into the mix will do the trick. “We’re in trouble because we don’t have innovative thinkers,” Baumgarten said. “We’ve got people that have learned how to deal with a template, but to make one themselves, they don’t know how to do that.” 

Artist and educator-turned-STEAM-enthusiast Ruth Catchen is also on team STEAM and believes that in our technically-focused world, we have a responsibility to educate the whole child to become a global citizen in his or her community. 

Brian Andrew Dunning, writer and producer who focuses on skepticism made it clear that the arts do not belong in STEM. In Dunning’s blog, skepticblog.org, he says arts are important, but they are not in STEM for good reasons. Some of the reasons he cited include the fact that US companies are constantly lobbying in Congress to allow more foreign holders of advanced STEM degrees to have permanent resident status, because such experts are in high demand. There is no corresponding demand for students in the arts. STEM is especially important for women, as there are still severe shortages in the number of women who pursue them. Arts suffer no shortage of women. 

Dunning has his points but he is essentially saying that there is a shortage of STEM- qualified employees in the U.S. and around the globe. But his arguments are too focused on the demand and supply of STEM-qualified graduates. Who is to say that STEAM-qualified graduates can’t perform as well or even better than their STEM counterparts? 

Perhaps Anne Jolly, author and content writer for middle school STEM curriculum, sums it up the best – when push comes to shove, it’s not STEM vs. STEAM. It’s about making every student a fully-literate 21st-century citizen.

What are your thoughts? Do share with us whether you think the arts belong in STEM. 

Sources: www.edweek.org and www.charlotteobserver.com. 

Top 5 Companies with the Most STEM Job Openings Now

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If you are a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) graduate seeking a job, the world is your oyster. Getting a job with your dream company may just be within reach. Why?

That’s because there is a serious shortage in supply of employees who are STEM qualified to do the job. “The demand for STEM professionals currently outweighs the supply,” says Mike Steinerd, director of recruiting at Indeed.com, an online job search engine. “There’s a need for STEM professionals to help companies grow their web or mobile applications, as well the need across specific industries such as bio-medical, manufacturing, or even construction. Truth is, there is a dearth of STEM talent despite the considerable buzz in the academic circles around STEM education and constant discussion about increasing quotas for qualified immigrants.” 

Forbes and Indeed have teamed up to compile a list of the 10 companies with the highest number of available STEM positions, which are occupations that require an education in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics disciplines. 

So, let’s get to the list shall we? 

No 5: Apple
Apple is currently looking to fill 1,171 STEM positions. The iPad has proven to be one of the most used devices in the classroom. The company also shares real stories to demonstrate how the iPad is a useful tool for STEM education. Watch how Dr Craig Roble teaches with the iPad here. 

No 4: Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is currently looking to fill 1,350 STEM positions. The company is an American global aerospace, defense, security and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. Lockheed Martin provides generous funding to STEM education outreach activities for students from elementary school through college. Some of their projects include 4-H Robotics, Great Minds in STEM and Girls Inc. 

No 3: SAIC
SAIC is currently looking to fill 1,380 STEM positions. Headquartered in McLean, Va., the defense company with approximately 38,000 employees worldwide provides scientific, engineering, systems integration, and technical services and solutions. SAIC has been increasing its contracts in commercial health IT, environmental and energy projects in the private sector, which has resulted in a demand for STEM employees. 

No 2: Amazon
The Seattle-based e-commerce behemoth currently has 1,493 unique STEM job postings. According to the report, the types of STEM positions Amazon is looking to fill include software developer, systems engineer, research scientist, database administrator, and software engineer.

No 1: Microsoft
The Washington-based software giant is looking to fill 1,553 STEM jobs right now. Microsoft proves that they are indeed walking the talk with the YouthSpark initiative. YouthSpark demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment in STEM by creating opportunities for 300 million youth around the world to access opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship. That you have to admit is pretty decent of Microsoft.

And there you have it. Curious who else made the list? Read the top 10 list here. 

5 Benefits of a Flipped Classroom

By PS Leong

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A flipped classroom is a learning environment where students learn new content on their own by watching video lectures or other online content. This instructional methodology is a type of blended learning and it was thrown into the lime light during a Ted Talk by Khan Academy founder Salman Khan, which has received more than 2.5 million views.

In a flipped classroom, assignments or what’s traditionally known as homework are completed in class with teachers offering personalized guidance. This environment encourages students to collaborate, help each other, and carry our researches either individually or in a team to complete an assignment.

No 1: Self-Paced
A flipped classroom allows students to learn at their own pace and allows teachers to give students more one-on-one instructions. This environment also encourages students to ask questions about the subject matter they find difficult without feeling that they are holding up the class. Sick days will also no longer interrupt a students’ ability to learn. With a flipped classroom, students engage with a lesson on their own time and an absence will not hinder them from learning the material. On the same note, when a teacher is absent from school, students will also not suffer from a substitute’s inability to teach the particular day’s lesson. The substitute only needs to facilitate students working on their assignments and answer questions instead of introducing new content.

No 2: Teamwork 
A flipped classroom allows students to have more time to collaborate and help each other in a lesson or an assignment. Working closely with their peers will help cultivate teamwork abilities and also leadership qualities. This sort of working relationship in a classroom is similar to the industry experience of a job. Working in a team will prove to be a valuable experience for students as it prepares them for the real world.

No 3: Customised Content
A video lecture is free of interruptions and distractions thus a student can concentrate on the lesson. The lesson can also be replayed as often as the student needs without interrupting another student’s pace. This way, the student is kept engaged throughout as the lesson is customised to his or her needs. This feature also extends to when a student is preparing for an exam. A student can go back and forth to review portions of previous lectures as often as he or she needs. In result, time is used more productively as the lesson is now catered to each student’s specific requirements.

No 4: Engagement
After a student watched a digital lesson or video at home, he or she can brainstorm questions to ask the teacher. This will open the floor for a discussion about anything that may be confusing about the lesson. This way, the student is already invested in the lesson and is highly engaged even before attending class. Coming to class prepared with ideas and questions is a great way to help students get excited over the lesson and also a great way to jumpstart the students to share ideas in class.

No 5: Multiple Sources
Very often, a few teachers are teaching the same lesson at about the same time. If the teachers use the flipped classroom methodology, then they can allow students to access to other teachers’ digital content and videos in order to increase the students’ comprehension of the subject. Allowing students to have access to different styles of teaching can help increase their comprehension and engagement of the subject.

Source: www.alchemylearning.com