So, this one is quite a bit different and requires some feedback.

So, this one is quite a bit different and requires some feedback.

 

So, this one is quite a bit different and requires some feedback.

I would love to know your answer to this question: “What would you do as a Director of Blended Learning?”

If you could, comment on the video or make your own video response directly on Youtube rather than commenting here. I’m excited to see what comes back.

Just for an added bit of incentive, I’m going to mention a  few folks: 

Darren Kuropatwa Sheri Edwards Brendan Murphy Phil Macoun Gallit Zvi Susan van Gelder Scott Hazeu Joe Dillon Ginger Lewman Syd DiChiara 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H8pPTn9jK4

45 Comments

  13. Syd DiChiara

    Alright!!  We’re going to Denver!!  sort of.  

    Congrats on the new position.  

    If I were Director of Blended Learning in my school district, I’d do the following:

    1. Set up an online go-to resource that not only makes available a portal for teachers to learn and experiment at their own pace, but at same time, demonstrates the elements of learning in a blended environment.  It would also showcase teachers who are learning and sharing what they’ve done so far to serve as models within the district.   It should be something that fosters communication within the district so that if I were a teacher who wanted to stretch my ed-tech wings, I could call apon and even visit other teachers who have been-there-done-that.  :o)

    2. I’d survey teachers to find out where they are in their skills and knowledge (and comfort levels) and I’d do a site-by-site analysis of the needs for each school. Then I’d create site-based, differentiated workshops that are meant to challenge teachers at their own levels where they can continue to receive support using the website resource I created.  I’d also want to know who the risk-takers are at each site so I can challenge them to be pioneers (what’s in it for them is that their work is showcased on the resources site).

    3. I might even gamify the professional development process by awarding “points”, certificates, or digital awards to teachers who achieve a certain level- maybe utilize some online MOOCs or teacher challenges like Susan Terrell’s boot camps.  

    Those are my initial thoughts. 

  14. Syd DiChiara

    Alright!!  We’re going to Denver!!  sort of.  

    Congrats on the new position.  

    If I were Director of Blended Learning in my school district, I’d do the following:

    1. Set up an online go-to resource that not only makes available a portal for teachers to learn and experiment at their own pace, but at same time, demonstrates the elements of learning in a blended environment.  It would also showcase teachers who are learning and sharing what they’ve done so far to serve as models within the district.   It should be something that fosters communication within the district so that if I were a teacher who wanted to stretch my ed-tech wings, I could call apon and even visit other teachers who have been-there-done-that.  :o)

    2. I’d survey teachers to find out where they are in their skills and knowledge (and comfort levels) and I’d do a site-by-site analysis of the needs for each school. Then I’d create site-based, differentiated workshops that are meant to challenge teachers at their own levels where they can continue to receive support using the website resource I created.  I’d also want to know who the risk-takers are at each site so I can challenge them to be pioneers (what’s in it for them is that their work is showcased on the resources site).

    3. I might even gamify the professional development process by awarding “points”, certificates, or digital awards to teachers who achieve a certain level- maybe utilize some online MOOCs or teacher challenges like Susan Terrell’s boot camps.  

    Those are my initial thoughts. 

  15. Syd DiChiara

    Alright!!  We’re going to Denver!!  sort of.  

    Congrats on the new position.  

    If I were Director of Blended Learning in my school district, I’d do the following:

    1. Set up an online go-to resource that not only makes available a portal for teachers to learn and experiment at their own pace, but at same time, demonstrates the elements of learning in a blended environment.  It would also showcase teachers who are learning and sharing what they’ve done so far to serve as models within the district.   It should be something that fosters communication within the district so that if I were a teacher who wanted to stretch my ed-tech wings, I could call apon and even visit other teachers who have been-there-done-that.  :o)

    2. I’d survey teachers to find out where they are in their skills and knowledge (and comfort levels) and I’d do a site-by-site analysis of the needs for each school. Then I’d create site-based, differentiated workshops that are meant to challenge teachers at their own levels where they can continue to receive support using the website resource I created.  I’d also want to know who the risk-takers are at each site so I can challenge them to be pioneers (what’s in it for them is that their work is showcased on the resources site).

    3. I might even gamify the professional development process by awarding “points”, certificates, or digital awards to teachers who achieve a certain level- maybe utilize some online MOOCs or teacher challenges like Susan Terrell’s boot camps.  

    Those are my initial thoughts. 

  19. Syd DiChiara

    I know, I know, I should vlog this, but I’m in the midst of National Boards stuff at the moment.  On my list of things to do- set my cam up so that there aren’t as many steps from videotaping to uploading.  Right now, I’m using my camcorder, then I have to transfer to laptop, then I have to convert it and then upload.  :o/     

  20. Syd DiChiara

    I know, I know, I should vlog this, but I’m in the midst of National Boards stuff at the moment.  On my list of things to do- set my cam up so that there aren’t as many steps from videotaping to uploading.  Right now, I’m using my camcorder, then I have to transfer to laptop, then I have to convert it and then upload.  :o/     

  21. Syd DiChiara

    I know, I know, I should vlog this, but I’m in the midst of National Boards stuff at the moment.  On my list of things to do- set my cam up so that there aren’t as many steps from videotaping to uploading.  Right now, I’m using my camcorder, then I have to transfer to laptop, then I have to convert it and then upload.  :o/     

  34. Ben Wilkoff

    Thank you so much for this thoughtful video. I think it gets at a lot of the flattening aspects of the work that I would like to do. Clearly, Denver is not the only district looking at this, but there seems to be so little crossover into other spaces that are setting up similar systems. 

    I’m excited for the opportunity, and it is going to take smart people like you to help me figure out what to do with it, should I have the privilege to pursue that dream.

  35. Ben Wilkoff

    Thank you so much for this thoughtful video. I think it gets at a lot of the flattening aspects of the work that I would like to do. Clearly, Denver is not the only district looking at this, but there seems to be so little crossover into other spaces that are setting up similar systems. 

    I’m excited for the opportunity, and it is going to take smart people like you to help me figure out what to do with it, should I have the privilege to pursue that dream.

  36. Ben Wilkoff

    Thank you so much for this thoughtful video. I think it gets at a lot of the flattening aspects of the work that I would like to do. Clearly, Denver is not the only district looking at this, but there seems to be so little crossover into other spaces that are setting up similar systems. 

    I’m excited for the opportunity, and it is going to take smart people like you to help me figure out what to do with it, should I have the privilege to pursue that dream.

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