Media Project
Blended Learning Podcast
Blended learning is a type of learning that combines face-to-face instruction with online learning that allows the student to have some control over content and pacing. Blended learning is the cornerstone of my Innovation Plan, and I recently had the opportunity to sit down with 3 amazing classmates in the Applied Digital Learning program at Lamar University who are also implementing blended learning into their classrooms and innovation plans. The most incredible thing about blended learning is that it not only creates flexibility and choice for students but for educators as well. The panelists in the podcast represent a variety of educational backgrounds from middle school, high school, career tech and non-traditional drop-out prevention and credit recovery high school, and blended learning is able to transform learning in all of those different areas and subjects. In the podcast, we discuss our innovation plans and our reasons for why we are so passionate about implementing blended learning.
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Many of the panelist have an ePortfolio that details their journey into blended learning, so please check out their biographies below if you want to learn more.
Video highlights:
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Individual introductions (00:17- 4:18)
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Innovation plans that focus on bringing positive change to our organizations (4:36 -17:23)
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"My Why", why we are passionate about implementing blended learning (17:48 - 30:53)
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Special guest, Stephanie Noll talks about her "my why" (30:55 - 33:35)
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Special guest, Stephanie Noll talks about her teaching style (33:39 - 36:50)
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The importance of supporting students to build relationships (38:13 - 42:01)
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Strategies to enhance education for all students (42:10 - 46:05)
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Overcoming classroom challenges in a positive way (46:14 - 51:04)
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Authentic learning and promoting student-centered learning (51:05 - 57:18)
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Wrap-up (57:20 -100:09)
Meet the Podcast Panel
Anna is a secondary social studies teacher, who has spent most of her 13 years in education as a middle school teacher. She grew up on a farm in Kansas, and then earned a degree in secondary social studies education from Kansas State University. She taught high school for 2 years in Salina, Kansas before moving to Austin, Texas and teaching 8th grade U.S. history in Pflugerville, Texas. After 11 years in Pflugerville, Anna moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico with her family. She is currently taking graduate classes in the Applied Digital Learning program at Lamar University while also staying at home with her 5 and 2 year old daughters.
Christopher is a Construction Trades Instructor at the Newaygo County Career-Tech Center in Fremont Michigan. He has been in this role since 2008. He has taught in many ways outside his primary job as well. He served as the Training Officer for his local Fire Department (2010-2021) He is a State of Michigan certified fire instructor. Chris also finds great passion in coaching Pre-K thru high school athletes in his community. He is the current head JV Soccer coach in his hometown of Montague. He enjoys a great wealth of time and experiences at athletic complexes with his wife (Julie) and 3 kids (Chris 16, Claire 13, Steve 12). Check out his ePortfolio!
Eboni is a current Lamar University graduate student in the Digital Learning and Leadership program. She completed her degree in Elementary Education in 2017 from University of Michigan-Flint. Eboni has been a Substitute Teacher for the last few years with plans to get a full-time Leadership position, working with teachers to implement blended learning and the use of technology in the classroom. Eboni lives in Grand Blanc, Michigan, where she was born and raised, with her husband and 3 children. Check out her ePortfolio!
Melanie is a secondary social studies teacher in San Antonio, Texas. This is currently her 6th year working at a non-traditional dropout prevention and recovery high school where she has also taught English. Prior to teaching, Melanie worked in higher education for over 12 years administering financial aid and scholarships. Melanie earned her bachelor’s degree in History from Texas A&M International University and is currently working on her master’s in Applied Digital Learning at Lamar University. Melanie is passionate about life-long learning and dedicated to guiding students in their educational journey. Check out her ePortfolio!
Stephanie is an English Language Arts teacher at Peñasco High School in Peñasco, NM. She graduated with a degree in secondary English education and then taught for 5 years in Houston as part of the Teach for America program. She earned her masters degree in creative writing at Texas State University, where she then taught for 12 years as a senior lecturer. She returned to teaching high school two years ago, and this past fall was named one of the top 3 finalists for New Mexico’s 2022 teacher of the year award.