Blended Learning Portfolio

Julie BassLead GSRP Teacher

Lincoln Park Public Schools

About Me…

• I teach in a GSRP program that services 144 at “high risk” preschool aged children—almost half of the children in my classroom speak Spanish at home.

• Our school budget is very tight, so technology in the classroom is limited to one teacher use laptop and a set of speakers.

• I thought blending would be impossible because of our lack of technology, but I tried anyway!

Examples of Blended Lessons In My Preschool Classroom

Assessing Student Development:Using Microsoft Paint

Students were asked to draw pictures using colors pink, yellow and blue.

Building and Maintaining a Classroom Website Helped to Communicate with Parents

Creating Playlists in Windows Media Player helped to cut down transition times.

Creating Classroom Videos helped Build a Strong Classroom Community

Using youtube Gave Me a Way To Reach ELL Students

Allowing Children to Explore Keyboard Keys Helped Children Recognize Capital Letters

Microsoft Word helped me document classroom discussions while children watched their ideas be put into words.

Tips for blending

• Instructors:– You’ll be overwhelmed for

sure, take your time and think simply.

– Keep an open mind– Explore like a child explores,

push all of the buttons just to see what happens (it won’t break).

– Ask questions, find answers.

• Students/Parents:– Participate – Ask questions– Give feedback, both

negative and positive– Keep an open mind, the

schooling process is changing.

Blended Learning has Encouraged me to Grow

I have learned to use new apps/softwareI can use youtube clips in a variety of venues

I have learned to think outside of paper and pencilI have learned to ask questions, lots of questions.

I know that I have copyright rights to my work via my Creative Commons license I know I can keep up with changing education policies

I have learned to think simply first before being overwhelmed.I can make movies that will aid in understanding for my learners

I can now be comfortable exploring the internet looking for content appropriate for my students.

Feedback from Blending

• Although I have not gotten any feedback from any of my parents regarding my classroom website, administrators think it is a wonderful way to communicate with parents.

• My students love watching the education youtube clips. Several of my students ask during breakfast, what the video we will be watching will be about.