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What's Next?

With my blended learning classroom running very well and Google Classroom taking off in my class, I keep thinking about what's next. There is still so much out there to learn and to improve upon, but I keep coming back to sharing as the next thing. I have been very fortunate to have had the support of my administration in my blended learning venture, that I feel compelled to stop thinking about my classroom and start thinking about my school, my district.

What I have learned from this year, I feel I need to share with my colleagues. However I do not want to push anything on them. I simply want to share my experiences and engage in discussions with them and work together as we move forward. But so much of the discussions need to begin with questions, from them and me.

At the most recent inservice, my director of technology and I had the opportunity to share our knowledge about blended learning and my failures and successes from this past year with the faculty. What came out of it, were excellent questions and thoughts. As they left, we asked that they complete a simple 3-2-1 ticket-out-the-door. At the beginning of the next week, my director of technology and I sat down and went through each question, then provided feedback to all. Answering their questions and providing timely feedback will hopefully help continue their thinking and questioning.

The 4C's (creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication) are not limited to just the teacher to students. They are 21st Century skills for all in all venues, and what better way to facilitate them to our students, than by using them ourselves, as teachers. With the questions, thoughts, and discussions that are developing within my district, I think we are headed in the right direction, even if blended learning isn't for everyone.

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