“Now boarding the MBTA train from South Station Boston to Providence.” This was the announcement Crystal and I heard as we dragged our suitcases around the busy train station last Wednesday evening. Our flights from Lincoln to Boston were uneventful, but now we were embarking on a new adventure: riding a commuter train for an hour!
Being from Central Nebraska, where public transportation is not a thing, we were kind of excited for this adventure! It was interesting to watch people get on and off at the various stops along the way. The train emptied out as we reached the end of the line: Providence! At last we had arrived for our 3 days of learning in Rhode Island. |
There are many benefits of attending a national conference. For example, I always learn about new instructional strategies and technologies from teachers who are “in the trenches.” I also learn from innovative instructional leaders who have transformed their districts. I enjoy meeting and creating new relationships with educators across the country. When I attended the Blended and Personalized Learning Conference (BPLC) this past week in Providence, Rhode Island, I experienced all of those benefits and more. Most importantly, I left that tiny state feeling like our blended learning team is on the right track with our “Blended Learning Project!”
On March 31 and April 1 the Highlander Institute, the Christensen Institute, and the Learning Accelerator showcased the best classroom, school, and district implementers from across the nation at the 4th annual Blended & Personalized Learning Conference. This event allowed educators and leaders to focus their discussion and knowledge acquisition on blended and personalized learning. I attended BPLC with my colleague Crystal Hurt.
In order to maximize our investment of time in traveling to Rhode Island, we worked with the Highlander Institute to coordinate a third day of learning and visited three schools in Providence. The classrooms that we observed were fully blended and the teachers seamlessly implemented strategies that support this model. The leaders in those buildings briefed us on the challenges and successes of their journey.
The experience of talking with and observing educators who are implementing blended learning was the most valuable to me. One teacher said that “1:1 doesn’t mean student:device. It means student:teacher.” Another said that using blended strategies allows her to maximize the time she has with her students in smaller groups. This same teacher said that the teacher-led small group is her students’ favorite! Teachers are able to establish relationships with their students in a way that is not possible with whole group lecture every day.
On March 31 and April 1 the Highlander Institute, the Christensen Institute, and the Learning Accelerator showcased the best classroom, school, and district implementers from across the nation at the 4th annual Blended & Personalized Learning Conference. This event allowed educators and leaders to focus their discussion and knowledge acquisition on blended and personalized learning. I attended BPLC with my colleague Crystal Hurt.
In order to maximize our investment of time in traveling to Rhode Island, we worked with the Highlander Institute to coordinate a third day of learning and visited three schools in Providence. The classrooms that we observed were fully blended and the teachers seamlessly implemented strategies that support this model. The leaders in those buildings briefed us on the challenges and successes of their journey.
The experience of talking with and observing educators who are implementing blended learning was the most valuable to me. One teacher said that “1:1 doesn’t mean student:device. It means student:teacher.” Another said that using blended strategies allows her to maximize the time she has with her students in smaller groups. This same teacher said that the teacher-led small group is her students’ favorite! Teachers are able to establish relationships with their students in a way that is not possible with whole group lecture every day.
Between the classroom visits, the pre-conference summit, the conference sessions, and the conversations throughout the three days, Crystal and I reached the conclusion that our team at ESU 10 is on the right track! Our plan for supporting teachers, administrators, and coaches aligns with the goals of many of the districts we learned from at BPLC, as well as with the Highlander Institute’s recommendations for the schools and teachers with which they work. And while a national conference is an investment by ESU 10 in time and resources, it truly pays off because in the long run, it is an investment in teachers! “All Aboard!” |