Blended learning and independent work
Teachers prepare independent work for students based on their strengths and areas needing improvement, and guide the students through their learning. Teachers use pre-assessments, group discussion, and other discovery-driven methods to plan independent work for students. Students use the independent work time as a self-directed vehicle to perform tasks and learn skills. Each student has agency over the pace of their learning, and in many instances choice among assigned work.
Here are some ways teachers support independent work:
- Establish clear expectations through routines and protocols, helping students feel safe, promote accountability, and provide clarity over optional and mandatory work.
- Create a structure to support students by using 1:1 check-ins, small group collaboration, peer reviews, and open office hours.
- Formalize goal setting and self-reflection (even micro-goals or targets) as part of the independent work cycle to help students progress.
Carefully planned independent work helps students close the knowledge construction gaps they may have by personalizing the learning and focusing on mastery-based progression. Teachers can utilize online learning programs and apps to assist in providing lessons and monitoring student progress.
Depending on the blended learning model, teachers have many ways to create and facilitate independent work, including:
- Creating playlists (using tools such as Buncee) to guide students through their independent work.
- Utilizing PowerPoint and Pear Deck for student-paced lessons with interactive assessments throughout that show what students know. Deliver Powerful Learning Moments with Pear Deck
- Assigning work with resources and the ability to see work in progress using assignments in Microsoft Teams (with Word, OneNote Class Notebook, Excel, and PowerPoint).
- Providing choice boards and options for students to demonstrate learning using both online and offline materials.