Blended Learning and Technology Integration Matrix

 

I started this week class by informing Madam Ng that I couldn’t understand the link on technology integration matrix that she asked us to read.After few discussion with her, it was a relief that I finally understand how to read the TIM table.

What is TIM?Who needs TIM? Is TIM applicable in our education setting in Malaysia?

Technology Integration Matrix  is designed to assist schools and districts in evaluating the level of technology integration in classrooms and to provide teachers with models of how technology can be integrated throughout instruction in meaningful ways. The TIM is a guide for teachers to prepare their lesson plan and plan their teaching using technology. It is a good scaffold because teachers will know their roles and this matrix provides examples for teachers in preparing the plan.The TIM incorporates five interdependent characteristics of meaningful learning environments: active, collaborative, constructive, authentic, and goal directed (Jonassen, Howland, Moore, & Marra, 2003). It associates five levels of technology integration (i.e., entry, adoption, adaptation, infusion, and transformation) with each of the five characteristics of meaningful learning environments. Together, the five levels of technology integration and the five characteristics of meaningful learning environments create a matrix of 25 cells. Even though TIM is a complicated table (to me) to understand, I believe it would be applicable to Malaysian setting. All we as educators must do is to take this TIM as positive as we could and try to apply it in our t n l.

Later Chan presented on Blended Learning. Student engagement and interactivity are two important points in Blended Learning. I was mesmerized with the video that she used. It was as if I’m in the cinema watching the Star Wars.Ha ha..as usual there are so many wh questions that came across my mind. And this is my summary..

                                          

What is blended learning?

face to face classroom interaction + computer mediated activities = blended learning

Why blend ?

Blended instructional approach can result in learning outcome gains and increased enrollment retention

Blended learning is on the rise in higher education.

and

How to blend?

The blend of face to face and online materials will vary depending on the content, the needs of the students, and the preferences of the instructor

http://weblearning.psu.edu/blended-learning-initiative/what_is_blended_learning

The second session was about Bloom’s Digital taxonomy by Andre Church.First time heard about it.I didn’t know about this new taxonomy.Shame shame.So, I did more readings on Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy.And this is one of the tables

In conclusion, this week lesson is all about preparing teachers in educating younger generations with the use of technology.Blended learning is a combination of face to face with online technology, an approach that is believed would be able to gain interests of the students nowadays.Technology Integration Matrix will help us in scaffolding our lesson and the Blooms Digital Taxonomy will guide us in preparing questions and knowledge for our students. My question would be are all teachers aware of these new ‘toys’ in teaching. And if yes, are teachers willing to accept the changes and challenges in applying these toys in their classes?

The flipped classroom : an innovation in teaching

 

‘A Flipped Classroom’, a topic given by Madam Ng has flipped my life for a week.When I first read about the title, my reaction was to switch my mind off. The next morning I read again in my facebook account..More questions started pouring into my mind , does she mean  turn the classroom upside down when she said ‘flip’..How?..Why? and then I ended up switching off my lappy and went marketing.. On the way , I couldn’t stop thinking about this idea and the rationale behind it. Oh my..this is very challenging and me …

I started reading on the flipped classroom from the links that Madam Ng gave. My mine was on the flipping classroom should I say day and night.

The experience I gained in preparing the powerpoint slide was very expensive.I spent from morning till night in the library preparing and equipping me on more ‘flip weapons’ as I am going for the battle. ha ha..

On Thursday, after so stressed up with the flipped classroom, I decided to go for a walk at Perdana Siswa and I ended up doing mehdi on my right hand.I haven’t done this for my entire life and I did it now at  this age (???)

My mehdi

 

My friday was spent totally on the flipped classroom from morning till night.I was really indulged with this theory which is not noticeable by many Malaysian teachers including me.

Saturday was the day I’ve been waiting to flip the mind of my classmates.It was not an easy job as the Q-A session began. they started shooting me using from a pistol  to a bazooka.. Ha ha.. And there Madam Ng at the back looking at me and my war..Challenging and interesting battle.Who won? that is not the issue. The issue is that was I able to change their mind into this technology???????????????

What is a flipped classroom?

A flipped classroom is a new way created by Chemistry teachers ,Aaron Sams and John Bergmann to teach students using vodcasting. It started with the idea to give input to students who were absent from classes. Students watch the lecture part of the class at home as homework and have more time in class to work on the assignments.They need to watch the videos before coming to the class. The idea is that students will prepare themselves with the whole concept and by the time they come to the class, they will have some understanding about what they are going to learn. Students will ask questions on the part where they are not clear about and the teacher will revisit the concept in a class.

There have been many arguments about the advantages and disadvantages of flipped classroom which I listed below.

Advantages	Disadvantages
increased time spent with students.	it requires technology that some may not have access to.
students can learn at  their own pace.	students cannot ask questions on the spot.
students can rewatch parts of the lecture	students who have low motivation may not watch the video
mastery learning	teachers need to know how to do the video.
more time to do inquiry

There are also comments that ‘flipped classroom is taking advantages of technology.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2011-10-06/flipped-classrooms-virtual-teaching/50681482/1?csp=34news&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+usatoday-NewsTopStories+%28News+-+Top+Stories%29

Frank Noschese, a physics teacher at John Jay High School in Cross River, N.Y., says anything that gives teachers more face time with students is "a good thing." But he says lecturing, even at a leisurely pace, is still bad pedagogy. "It's just kind of 'Lecture 2.0.'"

 

http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2011/10/five-reasons-im-not-flipping-over.html

I believe there are always  pros and cons on whatever techniques or strategies that we used in teaching and learning. It all depends on the teacher to explore and decide on what is best to be applied for his students. As for me, as long as this technique can make my students enjoy the class, it  will be worth  to give a try.If I can try putting mehdi on my hand at this age, flipping the classroom is just another new experience that I would like to explore.

Even though I am going to apply this technique into my teaching next semester, there are few questions that I am waiting to be answered.Will this technique be approved to be used by my administrator? Do I have all the necessary gadgets to use this vodcasting technique? Will I be able to manage the time especially with my project paper and the video making? and finally Will I be able to make my students enjoy my lesson ?

Whatever it is, I am looking forward for the new year and my new resolution, to change the small world of my teaching.

P/s  The preparation for the flipped classroom presentation has almost make me missed my flight last week, Can’t imagine what else could happen  if I am going to spend my whole semester applying this techniques. Hope I can be as cool as the idea.