Improving+blended+design

= Improving blended course design =

// 1. **Start with Learning Goals** --> // Consult the // N.C. Standard Course of Study & Aligned Resources //

// 2. **Create Ways for Students to Learn Before Class** -->  // Address lower-level Bloom’s Taxonomy

// 3. **Create Ways for Students to Learn In Class** -->  // Address higher-level Bloom's Taxonomy. Take advantage of in-class time for deeper explorations of content, problem-based learning, group activities, peer learning. Use the time to differentiate instruction and provide personal learning experiences.

// 4. **Create Ways for Students to Learn After Class** --->  // Develop routines for student reflection and individual work.

// 5. Use Multiple Forms of Communication // à Search // Best Practices // for “Discussion boards” for “Discuss it with discussion boards and forums” and “Blogging: An introduction”

// 6. Encourage Collaboration // à Search for “epals” in // Best of the Web // for ePals Classroom Exchange; See “Project-based learning” and “Cooperative Learning” in // Education Reference //

// 7. Utilize Online Resources // à Engage students via digital textbooks: See the “North Carolina Digital History Textbook” under // Projects and Collections // ; Search using the keyword “Mandarin” to locate “Mandarin Chinese Digital Textbooks” (Levels 1-3); Visit NC Wiseowl (http://www.ncwiseowl.org/)

// 8. Utilize Both Low and High Stakes Grading // à See “Formative assessment resources” in // Hot Topics //

// 9. Seek Assistance from Professionals // à Consider learning how to create and / or teach an online course through LEARN NC’s Carolina Online Teacher (COLT) program in // Projects and Collections //

10. Stay Organized à Search for “asynchronous” in // Best Practices // to locate “Becoming an online teacher”