Learning Environment & Situational Factors to Consider
Specific Context of the Teaching/Learning Situation
How many students are in the class? Is the course primary, secondary, undergraduate, or graduate level? How long and frequent are the class meetings? How will the course be delivered: live, online, blended, flipped or in a classroom or lab? What physical elements of the learning environment will affect the class? What technology, networking and access issues will affect the class?
We will use the blended learning model with four different cohorts of new teachers, each with varying levels of teaching experience. Each group will consist of 8-14 teachers, depending on turnover. The groups will meet once every other month for a live session, with the months in between dedicated to implementation, video reflection, and discussion. Access to the network will be crucial for teachers to engage in reflection and discussion with their peers and instructional coaches. These videos will be instrumental in driving instruction and providing support for implementation.
General Context of the Learning Situation
What learning expectations are placed on this course or curriculum by: the school, district, university, college and/or department? the profession? society?
The director of academics and the teaching and learning team establish expectations for new teachers based on what they learn in the live sessions of the new teacher academy and their meetings with institutional coaches. We want our new teachers to collaborate and utilize all the amazing tools provided to them. The blended learning model will enable us to use and collaborate more effectively than we have in the past.
Nature of the Subject
Is this subject primarily theoretical, practical, or a combination? Is the subject primarily convergent or divergent? Are there important changes or controversies occurring within the field?
Teaching teachers how to Utilize a blended learning model is practical as they can then apply this knowledge to guide their classroom blended learning culture. Learning to use the technology is primarily convergent, with specific requirements and options to choose from.
Characteristics of the Learners
What is the life situation of the learners (e.g., socio-economic, cultural, personal, family, professional goals)? What prior knowledge, experiences, and initial feelings do students usually have about this subject? What are their learning goals and expectations?
The learners in this situation are new teachers who are learning new strategies to implement with their students in the classroom. The blended learning model will enable us to reflect on their learning and collaborate to personalize learning to meet students' needs and backgrounds.
Characteristics of the Teacher
What beliefs and values does the teacher have about teaching and learning? What is his/her attitude toward: the subject? students? What level of knowledge or familiarity does s/he have with this subject? What are his/her strengths in teaching?
My teaching and learning team and I are excited about the opportunities we are creating for new teachers and the support we will provide. Allowing our new teachers to reflect on their learning is a big step for us at this academy, as it will help us deploy instructional coaching to meet the needs of both teachers and students. We all wear many different hats, and it can be hard to pinpoint where help is needed at times. We are thrilled for our new teachers to have a choice in their learning and implementation. We have previously found success with blended learning in our classrooms, so taking that knowledge and applying it for learners to utilize is a fun and exciting step.
How many students are in the class? Is the course primary, secondary, undergraduate, or graduate level? How long and frequent are the class meetings? How will the course be delivered: live, online, blended, flipped or in a classroom or lab? What physical elements of the learning environment will affect the class? What technology, networking and access issues will affect the class?
We will use the blended learning model with four different cohorts of new teachers, each with varying levels of teaching experience. Each group will consist of 8-14 teachers, depending on turnover. The groups will meet once every other month for a live session, with the months in between dedicated to implementation, video reflection, and discussion. Access to the network will be crucial for teachers to engage in reflection and discussion with their peers and instructional coaches. These videos will be instrumental in driving instruction and providing support for implementation.
General Context of the Learning Situation
What learning expectations are placed on this course or curriculum by: the school, district, university, college and/or department? the profession? society?
The director of academics and the teaching and learning team establish expectations for new teachers based on what they learn in the live sessions of the new teacher academy and their meetings with institutional coaches. We want our new teachers to collaborate and utilize all the amazing tools provided to them. The blended learning model will enable us to use and collaborate more effectively than we have in the past.
Nature of the Subject
Is this subject primarily theoretical, practical, or a combination? Is the subject primarily convergent or divergent? Are there important changes or controversies occurring within the field?
Teaching teachers how to Utilize a blended learning model is practical as they can then apply this knowledge to guide their classroom blended learning culture. Learning to use the technology is primarily convergent, with specific requirements and options to choose from.
Characteristics of the Learners
What is the life situation of the learners (e.g., socio-economic, cultural, personal, family, professional goals)? What prior knowledge, experiences, and initial feelings do students usually have about this subject? What are their learning goals and expectations?
The learners in this situation are new teachers who are learning new strategies to implement with their students in the classroom. The blended learning model will enable us to reflect on their learning and collaborate to personalize learning to meet students' needs and backgrounds.
Characteristics of the Teacher
What beliefs and values does the teacher have about teaching and learning? What is his/her attitude toward: the subject? students? What level of knowledge or familiarity does s/he have with this subject? What are his/her strengths in teaching?
My teaching and learning team and I are excited about the opportunities we are creating for new teachers and the support we will provide. Allowing our new teachers to reflect on their learning is a big step for us at this academy, as it will help us deploy instructional coaching to meet the needs of both teachers and students. We all wear many different hats, and it can be hard to pinpoint where help is needed at times. We are thrilled for our new teachers to have a choice in their learning and implementation. We have previously found success with blended learning in our classrooms, so taking that knowledge and applying it for learners to utilize is a fun and exciting step.