The right blend

The Right Blend A bit of reflection on Module 3 of the BlendIt Course by the Consultants-E

By Prof. Jonathan AcuĂąa-Solano

Self-Discovery #1

The Virtual Classroom and the right amount of learners

• A virtual classroom should not include more than 14 learners.

– Depending on the system being used, it can be difficult to handle participation and the use of VC’s features

• When working on breakout rooms (BRs), help shy students to feel at ease.

– A BR can aid them to feel more comfortable.

– BRs can help to lower their affective filter.

Self-Discovery #1

The Virtual Classroom and the right amount of learners

• The need to create the right blend for the VC’s atmosphere – Interacting with “shy” learners to make them feel “at home” – The first 5-10 minutes before the class kick-off • The opportunity to socialize with learners • The creation of the human bond with pupils

– The setting of rules within the VC • Rules and their explanation

Self-Discovery #2

The Right Blend for Interactivity in VC Learning/Consolidation Tasks

• The need for participatory exercises – Search for hands-on exercises to help kinesthetic learners – Search for auditory tasks to have pupils practice listening and negotiation of meaning – Search for visual activities to aid students comprehend and practice better

• Learners need to have a more active role in VCs and in BRs, too.

Self-Discovery #2

The Right Blend for Interactivity in VC Learning/Consolidation Tasks

• Kinesthetic Learners – Manipulation of VC’s built-in features such as annotation, highlighters, pointers, etc.

• Visual Learners – Screen-sharing – Polls

• Auditory Learners – Video watching and audios

Self-Discovery #3

The Right Blend to Assess Learners Alternatively

• VAK (visual-auditory-kinesthetic) in action to assess learners – Step 1: Outlines or scripts to practice writing (V&K) – Step 2: Rehearsing prior the recording of presentation (A&K) – Step 3: The actual audio or video recording (VAK)

Self-Discovery #3

The Virtual Classroom and the right amount of learners

• VAK in action to assess learners – Step 4: Uploading the recordings to the LMS (K) – Step 5: Partners watching or listening to recordings (V&A) – Step 6: Peers providing formative feedback for their classmates based on a rubric (VAK)

• The right blend?

– It could be! Give it a try!