Website Mission
It is the mission of this website to assist in the development of learning environments that promote Career and Technical Education as well as academic excellence. To provide examples of effective 21st century teaching and learning strategies in order to assist in the development of more engaged and motivated classrooms. To provide multimedia Podcasts and articles to facilitate an understanding of how to implement technology and multimedia in classrooms regardless of content area. To encourage independent and personalized learning by teaching students to enjoy the process of learning. To assist teachers in becoming facilitators of learning.
Are Hybrid Schools the Answer?
An article by Brigid Schulte in the Harvard Education Letter discussed the latest trend in online education; namely, that a strictly virtual learning environment may not be the best way to educate our youth. Virtual schools are now incorporating services offered in school buildings that cannot be offered in a 100% online environment. In addition, more traditional schools are increasing the number of online classes offered, as a way to appeal to the students that may struggle in a purely academic classroom setting, or those who prefer a more flexible learning schedule.
According to Schulte, "...new research is finding that it (online learning) may not be the most effective way to teach children, and virtual companies have begun to see that a purely virtual approach has its limits. A key report put out by the U.S. Department of Education in September 2010 demonstrated that a blend of face-to-face instruction and online learning produced the greatest academic gains."
As I read this article, I found myself nodding in agreement. I, too, endorse the many benefits of an online education, as we are constantly evolving into a purely digital age. However, I often wonder how our future generations will respond if they never have the opportunity to engage in face-to-face instruction in the classroom. That is why I believe it is so important for myself as an educator to impart to my students the "soft skills" that are necessary to work in any career field. The interpersonal skills that I aid my students in developing over the three years that they are in my classroom I feel will only benefit them as they enter the workforce and interact with clients on a daily basis.In a purely virtual learning environment, my students would not have the ability to learn the fundamentals of leadership, ethics, accountability, adaptability, personal productivity, self-direction and social responsibility, as only an instructor can model for them. In addition, my students are constantly refining their personal communication and presentation skills, which can easily be adapted and critiqued in a classroom setting.
In conclusion, I believe that a blended or hybrid learning environment may be the answer. This would combine the best of both worlds, integrating online learning for those needing the flexibility of learning at their own pace, as well as a more traditional classroom approach to teach the interpersonal skills that are necessary to succeed in the workplace.
