Media Project- Enriching Education with Blended Learning

Media can be an excellent tool to influence others and shape opinions on certain topics.  The latest task in my Resources in the Digital Environment course was to construct a podcast to spark interest in our Innovation plan while connecting with the hearts of our audience. If you are currently in education and not using technology, you should step back and consider the disservice you are doing to your students. It's important to reevaluate your classroom practices or reconsider your role as a teacher altogether. Student and district expectations for technology implementation are constantly at the forefront of professional development. I believe technology is our future; our students were born into a world that revolves around technology. They have so much knowledge and potential to go further than we could possibly imagine if we just give them a chance to explore education in their own way. We must reshape education with 21st-century skills to provide better experiences for our students. It's not just about the technology; we cannot forget the art of teaching. This is why it's crucial to keep a teacher in the classroom while implementing a blended learning environment that utilizes technology. I have also been working to create a  publication that inspires other educators to add blended learning elements to their curriculum.

Below is my call to action to enrich our students' learning with a blended learning environment.

Throughout this program, I have come to realize how much I truly enjoy and appreciate technology. Learning about new tools and gaining new perspectives on technology is a journey that is helping me become a better educator for my students. By using technology, I can provide them with the tools to become self-directed learners, opening up endless possibilities. My goal in this project is to show fellow educators that there is a better way to give students more tools for understanding, which is by implementing blended learning within the classroom while utilizing technology. This will make learners more engaged and happier with how information is presented to them. 

More Digital Resources Available

I encourage educators to explore these digital tools and review the research I've conducted on the benefits of implementing blended learning in the classroom.

● Google Classroom- A web-based platform that assists teachers in organizing, distributing, and overseeing coursework. It also enhances communication and cooperation among students and teachers. Teachers can post assignments, videos, interactive study games, and
much more. Students may use this platform at home and in the classroom.
●Blooket- A free online game-based platform that lets teachers and students create multiple-choice quizzes and turn them into games. There are several game options to choose from and rewards to be won. Teachers can also search for Blookets that have already been created by other educational professionals they can view and use if
they are short on time.
●Progress Learning- A platform for K-12 schools and districts that helps students master state standards. It has a pretest that measures where the students currently are in a subject, and the teachers can assign certain TEKS based on their grades and the level of each student. There are videos and games mixed in with questions, and the students' progress through the program at their own pace.

● Flocabulary- An online platform that uses hip-hop songs, storytelling, and videos to help teach vocabulary and comprehension through different subjects.
●EdPuzzle- Another online platform that allows educators to create and share educational videos on certain topics/subjects, and students are allowed to pause and replay to learn at their own pace. There is also
a search option where teachers are able to search videos that have been made by other educational professionals and they can use them as well. These can be educational videos and can also have questions embedded throughout the videos students must answer before continuing with the video.