Blended Learning, Empowering Students

Through research and this course, I have come to learn that the term “blended learning” is currently referring to the mixture of online learning with teacher interaction that helps students become more engaged and responsible for their own learning.  However, here in Calgary, blended learning is also the term we use to blend two languages together when students are in an immersion program.  I am a part of the Spanish bilingual program, which is huge here in Calgary, and one of my examples will include how to help children learn another language. 

Primary - One of the strategies that the schools here have adopted for the primary grades is a process called “Daily 5”.  For those of you who do not know about this, the Daily 5 gives students 5 rotations to go through in order to improve their literacy skills.  One of the options is guided reading on the laptops, which is awesome.  For those students who need more attention when it comes to reading, these programs help them listen to, see and focus on words that they have difficulty with.  Since all students have an opportunity to use the computer for reading, it helps keep equality amongst the students.  This is great for students with special needs, ELL learners and children with learning disabilities.

Daily 5 









Junior - National Geographic Kids for extended learning of science and culture is amazing.  I have seen students buddy up and explore different topics using this website.  As partners, they get to share in the experience and see/learn about the topics that also interest other students.  One activity that could be included is having students take their learning about a certain animal, plant, etc. and present what they have learned to other students in the class.  Also, students may write a response, create a mini-bulletin board (even virtually), or another creative activity to showcase their learning for others.  How a student communicates their learning afterwards is a great way to promote differentiated learning and skills amongst students who struggle. 

                                                                  National Geographic Kids 





Intermediate - Integrating Spanish and culture throughout the curriculum can be difficult if students do not continue to work on the fundamentals of the language.  In this case, I have used the app Duolingo.  With this app, students take an initial assessment of skills and the app places them at the appropriate level.  Students use the app at their own pace, covering the 4 strands of language learning, and even get feedback on the particular lessons or concepts that they need to continue to work on.  Once the student has passed the level, they can move on or continue to work on that concept again.  The app allows students to build on their own understanding of the language by using words and phrases that have real world applications.  This program can also be used with the intermediate grades to give them a head start.  During Spanish Language Arts and also as an “after work is done” is a great time to use this.  If they need further assistance with particular grammar concepts, then I am able to help them.  

 Duolingo