blendED2016

Through a partnership between the Centre for Distance Education at Athabasca University and the Alberta Distance Learning Centre(ADLC) nine professional learning modules were designed and delivered to a pilot group of ADLC teachers. The Blended and Online Learning and Teaching (BOLT) modules discussed the theory and included experiences of applying flexible learning strategies in various learning spaces. The presenters, including the BOLT pilot students, will summarize the learning experienced in the professional learning modules and how it relates to personal, professional and evidence-based practices of using flexible learning strategies with K-12 learners. By experiencing flexible learning strategies in various learning spaces, these teachers are ready to share their own lived experiences of what it means to learn and teach with digital flexibility now part of their professional repertoire.

Session Notes 

As educators we are to guide students as they use technology to:
a. access, share and create knowledge
b. discover, develop and apply competencies

How do we address this with young learners in a distance learning environment?

In our session we will share:

Challenges and successes as we guide students to learn in new ways.

Supporting students to become creators of knowledge.

Applications to share and amplify the learning.

Implementing authentic forms of assessment - shifting agency to the learner

Participants will have opportunity to discuss ideas and share best practices.
Our program uses a variety of digital tools: Moodle, Blackboard Collaborate, Google Applications, Kidblog and ipad apps.

Session Notes

Strategies discussed in this session will include: building engaging online classes and inviting asynchronous blogging environments, promoting the authentic use of language, encouraging cyclical language learning instead of chunked learning, establishing partnerships with Spanish speaking schools, and triangulating evidence in the online second language classroom.

Session Notes

 

In Math and Science in particular we tend to use unit exams and final exams as summative assessments, but that may not always be the most accurate or precise way of measuring student achievement. During this session we'll discuss some alternatives including project-based learning, writing assignments, and multimedia presentations.

Session Notes 

Going Global is a joint initiative started by ADLC, TakingITGlobal and the Centre for Global Education, designed to equip students to respond to the world's greatest challenges through links to cross-curricular classroom activities and extra-curricular collaborations. From Art class to Social Studies to an after school Art/Social Justice club, ADLC students are provided with synchronous and asynchronous opportunities to collaborate with their peers and students from across the planet to address topics like Child Soldiers in Africa, Revolutions in the Middle East, and Climate Change, LIVE from UN conferences.

This sessions will help participants see how they too can participate in Going Global and empower their students to see learning as an opportunity to make a difference.

Session Notes