[Ellen MoParticipant]

1) Blended learning, as far as I am concerned, is a form of learning in which the instruction uses the best resources available to the best ends. This, in the context of e-learning (and arguably in the whole of education, but that is most certainly an argument for another day), involves tailoring a mixture of ‘in-class’ work with an ‘online’ experience that serves the specific needs of the learners. There is no clear image of what this looks like: the instructor, topic, and learners all dictate what this combination looks like. I read with interest the comments here not being sure what it would look like in specific contexts — Joanne, yours in particular stood out to me — and I can’t help but wonder at that myself. I look forward to hearing more as we progress here.

2) The specific opportunities afforded by blended learning will vary depending on the group being instructed. Overall though, the idea of flexibility reigns supreme. When one can set their own general pace, and can work on their own time, the chances are good you will see better work. I know specifically that I work best first thing in the morning. As such, with these courses I’m taking online, I do whatever work needs attention first thing in the morning as often as I can. This is simply one specific within a greater concept, though. Ask any of my high school students this same question, and I imagine you would be able to track all their answers back to flexibility.

3) Access to technology is the major problem. While smart phones and the like are nearly ubiquitous, not everyone can take part in this. I speak particularly of out-of-the-way or remote areas, such as the one I live in. The school I work at only recently started taking advantage of Connected Classroom as a resource for our science department. We just started employing distance learning program for our Planning 10 class. We are just now getting computers with up-to-date operating systems. These are steps in the right direction towards the effective implementation of technology within our classrooms, and in turn will allow us to perform those alchemical experiments in which we work towards getting the mixture I referenced in my answer to the first question right for our students.

4) Despite everything that I’ve learned throughout my previous courses, and the tiny bits and pieces of my learning that I’ve been able to use thus far, I believe this answer is an evolving one. I stand with Luigi here: let’s get to the end of this course, then ask me for my ideas.

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