Back in February the AP team attended BETT 2020 (British Education Training and Technology). CLICK HERE “to learn more about the BETT show.”
We got the opportunity to meet other practitioners from across the country. We were also fortunate enough got to witness Apple, Google, and Microsoft, show off their new teaching tools and future innovative ideas for education.
As a result, I have embedded innovative ideas into my teaching practice linked with Office 365, promoted students using IPADs in lessons and to be inspired in which Google presents its future classroom.
After a head rush of ideas and back to reality I tried implementing Minecraft into one of my lessons. At BETT I was inspired at how Microsoft were using this to engage learners. My students had to design a prison as part of an internal assessment and what better way to embed Minecraft! With the help of the IT department, I was able to put my plan into action. All around it was successful.
CLICK HERE “to access a Minecraft example”
But before we knew it… BOOM! Covid-19 hit, and lockdown ensued.
On reflection, what if that Boom was the beginning of a new age of teaching? During the summer I have witnessed many staff take time to reflect and design outstanding VLE’s (Virtual Learning Environments) for their students.
CLICK HERE “to access a VLE (Visual Learning Environment) example from MKC Maths department”
So how could I use the knowledge I had gained earlier on this year at BETT to help me create something exciting in the classroom?
Question 1 – How can I instruct students who are physically present in the classroom at the same time as teaching students who are remotely learning?
The why - Students need education. Students need a sense of belonging. Students need interaction amongst their peers. Some may be self-isolating but why should that stop them getting the same experience as a student physically attending the class.
Question 2 - How do I bridge that gap between classroom and remote? How do I create an inclusive learning space where students can still develop their softer skills?
Introducing… The Hybrid Lesson!
Week 1 - Students sitting in the classroom and those on Zoom appearing on the whiteboard next to the presented shared screen.
But I said to myself, is that really an inclusive classroom? How can we get the Zoom students working with the classroom students?
Week 12 - it has now evolved into the introduction of webcams. Zoom students can finally see the class. Each member of the class is paired with a student on Zoom. Activities and assessment such as Zoom vs Classroom, and ask the expect on Zoom, have helped build a new norm and got the students to talk to each other. Collaborative documents alongside a VLE have helped students work alongside each other… regardless of if they are studying at home or at college.
But where do we go now? What tips did I learn from BETT which I could embed next?
Next week – We are going to embed Mirror cast across a whiteboard, laptop and TV whilst running power point live so students can also access the lesson presentation through their phones. All the student’s work will be inbuilt into a joint OneDrive folder in which I can monitor the students working in “real time.”
My reflections - What I find fun about the Hybrid lesson is it gives the students a choice on how they would like to learn. I have presented them with a life choice which features no excuses. Do you learn at home or at college? My attendance has been remarkably high. The fun part is the students teach me! And help me build upon the Hybrid lesson as they have invested into the structure due to being involved from the very start.
If you have any suggestions on how to help develop the Hybrid lesson or want to get involved, please feel free to contact the team. We are all on this journey together.
-Nathan Homewood-
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