Useful Resources on Blended Learning - Reading Review Assignment B

After spending some time searching, it wasn't hard to find some resources that I could use to explore my topic of "Blended Learning".  The wealth of current information on this topic is overwhelming.  My search started with the suggested readings and then broadened to include the UBC library, the internet and resources suggested by one of my colleagues.  Here are my top picks:

1. "Decoding Education: the Proof, Promise and Potential of Digital Education" (89 pages) http://www.nesta.org.uk/publications/decoding-learning

The discussion for this article revolves around the premise that technology in and of itself is not inherently useful in the classroom. Rather, how the technology is implemented into the learning environment  makes the difference as to whether it helps students to learn 21st Century skills.  

2. "NMC Horizon Report: K-12 Edition" (55 pages)
http://www.nmc.org/publication/nmc-horizon-report-2014-k-12-edition/¹

The synopsis for this article says that it "examines emerging technologies for their potential impact on and use in teaching, learning and creative inquiry in schools". ¹  What grabbed my interest in this article was the thorough list of suggested readings at the end of each section- many of which focus on the topic of blended learning.   

3.  "Digital Literacy Standards" (BC Ministry of Education)
http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/dist_learning/dig_lit_standards.htm#draft

A draft copy from the BC Ministry of Education outlining the "profile for digitally literate students" at each grade level.  It outlines suggested activities students can engage in and the digital literacy characteristics they would be demonstrating as a result.  The links on this page also outline digital literacy characteristics and a digital literacy framework that outlines specific learning objectives.  The 21st Century Skills deemed important by the ministry of education are clearly outlined in this document.

4.  "Blended Learning Resources for Middle Grade Teachers"
http://www.ncte.org.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/library/NCTEFiles/Resources/Journals/VM/0222-dec2014/VM0222Blended.pdf²

As described in the preamble to the journal, the focus is "on online resources for teachers appropriate to blended learning environments of any type."²  The online video libraries suggested in the article such as  "100+ Video Sites Every Educator Should Bookmark  (updated for 2012)", will definitely be used in my classroom.  
   

5.  Tweeting Kindergarteners? Periodical

By: KENNEDY, CHRIS. School Administrator , Aug2014, Vol. 71 Issue 7, p13-13, 3/4p

This resource was more inspiring than informative.  The idea that Kindergarten is where students are starting to learn digital literacy and the brilliance of integrating digital citizenship into students' everyday vocabulary spoke volumes to me.  This article praises the "classroom teacher for taking a risk and being a learner herself."  Ultimately, I would like to be that teacher!

6.  "Blended Learning: We Are All New Teachers"  Edutopia, January 19, 2015
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/blended-learning-getting-started-lisa-dabbs³

This very recent blog is a part of a series on blended learning. It includes links to useful resources such as books, blogs, video resources and articles to "support to learn about, identify different models of and seek to begin to utilize blended learning in their practice."³  This blog focuses less on the research into digital literacy and more on how a teacher can get started adapting their classroom to the blended learning model.    

Other links I have found this week:
http://www.edudemic.com/guides/guide-to-twitter/   - A teacher's guide to using twitter.

http://www.wimp.com/educational/teacherflipping/ - A great video documenting the success one school has experienced using the flipped classroom model.