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How do I Become a Teacher?

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How do I Become a Teacher?

I didn’t think I’d become a teacher.  I took education classes at my father’s bidding.  Having taught thirty-eight years, I think I did the right thing. (Don’t tell Dad though.)

In light of the recent pandemic, it seems imperative to discuss this subject.

We are going to need teachers like never before.

There are many reasons we have a shortage. I won’t go into them here, but suffice to say if you are interested in teaching,  this is a good time to consider teaching as a career.

I come from a long line of teachers having several on both sides of my family.  If you’d like to know more about my teaching journey, check The 12 Unofficial Fortune Teller’s Guide to Becoming a Fantastic Drama Teacher

If you are attending a college or university, here are the steps to becoming a teacher.

NTU Graduation

 

Step1: Earn your bachelor’s degree.

A bachelor’s degree is required to become a teacher. Enrolling in a teacher education program which is pre-approved to meet the educational requirements for teacher certification, including student teaching, is the traditional route.

My advice is to consider the subject area (for example, science, English as a second language, or special education) and the grade level (such as elementary vs. secondary) you wish to teach. Not all teacher education programs provide training in all subject areas or grade levels. This is very important to check when you enroll in the school. Otherwise, you’ll be lacking what you need and then it’s a hassle to complete it.

Step 2:  State Teaching Exams

Generally, most states have a state exam you are required to take.  You will be prepared ahead of time for this exam and most people pass it easily.

Fingerprints

(source–“Fingerprints by kevin dooley)

Step 3: Fingerprinting

Any time an adult is going to work with children, they must be fingerprinted.  This is imperative. You school system will inform you where you get finger printed.  It’s a simple process.

Teacher Application Form - Fill Out and Sign Printable PDF Template | signNow

Step Four: Applying for Teaching Jobs

Once you have your license, you are ready to apply for teaching positions. There are several educational websites who provide a clearinghouse of positions.  You can look through the available  position or perhaps ones which they think will be open.  Check out http://www.teachingnomad.com.  It is a clearing house for teaching jobs in the United States and abroad.

As you apply for positions, you’ll be expected to show proof of your grades from college.  Also, you’ll be asked to provide several recommendations from people who have worked with you or can speak of your character.

You’ll want to write a professional resume of any previous work experience you’ve had with regard to teaching (teaching swimming lessons, working as a summer camp counselor, etc.) Check out this site for resume examples.  Go to: https://resumegenius.com for help.

Sometimes you can teach a subject which you have not studied in college.  When this occurs, the school system’s main office will give their go-ahead to hire you.  You’ll be expected to take the state teaching exam and probably a few additional clases.  In my case, I had to take three classes to become certified in English.  (I graduated from college with my certification in Speech and Drama. Usually, English or Language Arts accompanies this certification.)

Teachers

(source–“Teachers” by iwantt)

Step Five:  Your Mentor Teacher

When I became a teacher about a hundred years ago, I was on my own.  No one helped me or advised me.  I’m tough old bird and I figured it out by the third year.  My journey was typical of all new teachers at the time.  Thankfully, it isn’t that way anymore.  My advice?  Give teaching at least five years before you make a decision whether you want to continue or not.

You are assigned a mentor teacher who serves as a guide and hopefully a friend.  This person knows the ins and outs of teaching in your school and about teaching in general.

Alternative Teacher Certification

I was looking around the internet and found this great explanation for alternative teacher cetification at www.teachercertificationdegrees.com:

“Alternative or non-traditional teacher certification was initially introduced to fill critical teacher shortages. Today, alternative certification has been widely adopted as a way to recruit talented individuals in all subjects who have a passion for teaching but do not have backgrounds in education. According to a survey by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) covering the 2015-2016 school year, about 18% of public school teachers–676,000 individuals–had earned their teaching license through an alternative certification program.

This is up from the 2011-2012 school year when 14.6% of teachers leading classrooms in public schools reported entering teaching through an alternative pathway.”

Luckily, there are people who find they want to become teachers who did not study education when they were in college.  If that’s you–you are so valuable because you have real life experiences (for instance, I know a scientist who became a science teacher.)

Teaching has its challenges, but so do most careers.  My advice? Give. it. time.

Blue laptop keyboard with one red key which says

Want a FREE Guide and 10 page lesson?  Click here.

Advice from a 38 Year Veteran–

  1.  Find someone in the school who you can vent to and they to you.
  2.  Socialize with other teachers.
  3.  Don’t each lunch alone.
  4.  Get some exercise every day even if it feels like you can’t do it.  Taking a walk, even a mile, will help you tremendously.
  5.  Your desk is like a little home, so outfit it with things which make you smile–your favorite coffee cup or water bottle, a   small poster which inspires you, photos of family or friends.
  6.  Decorate your room in such a manner that is classic and a bit on trend.  YOU DON’T NEED TO LOOK LIKE PINTEREST PIN YOU’VE SEEN.  This is not a competition.
  7.  Keep your sense of humor–I can’t express this enough to you.
  8.  Keep your perspective.  These are young people and children.  Parents?  Well, they mean well but are generally biased toward their child.
  9. Make friends with the office and custodial staff.  They can make or break you and besides, they are always kinda fun.
  10.  Email me if you are having a rough day–I have a listening ear.

As I mentioned above, I never thought I’d become a teacher.  But you know, it suits me well and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to do so.

Got any questions?  Please feel free to contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

 

 

The Only NBC Television Special to See on December 10

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The Only NBC Television Special to See on December 10

Everyone has shed light on many industries who are suffering during this pandemic and rightfully so.

There is one group of people, however, no one has mentioned too much–those in the entertainment industry.  In particular, I am speaking about those who work on Broadway. Thursday, December 10 on the NBC network, a wonderful fundraising event will occur for those people who entertain us whether its on the Broadway stage, backstage in a regional theater, dancing on a cruise ship or a host of other performance venues. Among many others, this includes the technical, front of house and box office, too.

Will there be actual performances?  Yes!

I heard about this event on Sirius and began looking for information about it.  According to Broadwaydirect.com,

“Several of Broadway’s best shows will take over the streets of New York City with special performances from the casts of Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Chicago, Jagged Little Pill, Diana: The Musical, Jersey Boys, Mean Girls, Rent and an appearance by the cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The night will also showcase special sneak peeks at Broadway shows coming in 2021.

The Only NBC Television Special to See on December 10

“One Night Only: The Best of Broadway” will feature performances by Kelly Clarkson, Brett Eldredge, Patti LaBelle and appearances from Annaleigh Ashford, Lance Bass, Kristen Bell, Ron Cephas Jones, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Peter Gallagher, Josh Groban, Jake Gyllenhaal, Sean Hayes, Nathan Lane, Camryn Manheim, Alanis Morissette, Jerry O’Connell, Leslie Odom Jr., Billy Porter, John Stamos, Aaron Tveit, Blair Underwood, Vanessa Williams, Susan Kelechi Watson and more.

Donations during this special will help provide groceries and medication, health care, and emergency financial assistance to those in the Broadway community who are struggling through a pandemic that threatens their health and will shutter their industry for more than a year.

For more than 25 years, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has been helping to support and strengthen The Actors Fund’s safety net of social services, enabling thousands in the entertainment industry receive lifesaving medications, health care, nutritious meals, counseling, and emergency financial assistance.”

If you need assistance and you are in the entertainment industry, I’d suggest check them out:  Actor’s Fund

Radio City Music Hall

With Broadway being crippled by current events, it’s never been more vital to showcase these incredible performers and remind audiences of their extraordinary talents for when they return to the stage,” said Doug Vaughan, Executive Vice President, Special Programs, NBC Entertainment. “We’re proud to partner with Broadway Cares and do our part to help those in that tight-knit community during these difficult times.”

I know these organizations are a God send to those in the entertainment industry.  A student of mine was very ill several years ago with colon cancer.  Luckily, she lived through it and is healthy today. She wanted to keep her performing job and never divulged to the company she was ill.  Can you imagine?  Afraid to tell the company you are sick, for fear of being let go?  The Actors Fund came to her rescue during this time and supported her through all of her doctor visits, surgery and rehabilitation.  It took a year to get her back on her feet.  Soon she will be starring on Broadway again.

Arts Risk Losing their Soul

Several years ago, I blogged about this quote,  Arts Quote We Love #7–Society Risks Losing its Soul

Arts And Society

Have you ever considered what the world would be like without the arts?

I think we found out during this quarantine, haven’t we?  Back in the summer, there were no live concerts, ballets, art shows, new movies, television shows, etc.  Luckily, the entertainment industry is figuring how to keep their employees safe. I understand they are creating bubbles for their staff just as the sports teams have done.

We know the pandemic has affected our restaurants, but no one is speaking about movie theaters closed up for. months. I would imagine this will change the movie industry far more than we realize. It’s affected everyone in some way–I can’t think of a time that has occurred before in my lifetime.

Unsung Heroes Our Teachers

Let’s just consider our arts teachers for a moment.  Can you imagine how difficult this time has been for them? Although an arts teacher can teach using Zoom for instance, some of our instruction must be done in “in the flesh.”  Teaching and directing actors can be done virtually, but it doesn’t have the same power as working in real time.  Many at-risk students depend upon their arts classes to help them feel connected to school. I wonder how those students are coping with the lack of time in their schools. We must continue having arts classes, period.

Broadway and West 34th St.

This pandemic affects me in this fashion.  I really need the arts.  They are like a vitamin for me.  I have to see movies, concerts, stream plays and musicals and dance concerts. But live theater?  There is simply nothing like it.

What can you do to help?

Open up your laptop and search on-line for theater companies, art galleries, concert halls and the like.  Everyone of them will have a place for you to donate.  When they say “not for profit”–that’s exactly what they are.  A not for profit company uses their profits to sustain the organization.

There is such value in donating, too! People who donate to charities, in this case arts organizations, experience more pleasure, bring more meaning to their life, promote generosity in children (if they are parents).  Of course, there is a plus because donating to a not for profit gives the donor a tax deduction.

The Actors Fund, Broadway Cares and a host of other arts organizations need our help.  I promise you will be glad you did.

I am looking forward to the “One Night Only: The Best of Broadway” television special on NBC December 10.

What is your favorite Broadway play or musical?  I have many, but I lean toward musicals because more people are familiar with them.  Check out this blog post about them: The Reasons These Shows are My Favorite Broadway Musicals

Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net.  I’d love to know more about you!

Deborah Baldwin of DramaMommaSpeaks

 

370 Million Indigenous People Want You to Know About Their Cultures

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370 Million Indigenous People Want You to Know About Their Cultures

Today I want to speak about 370 million Indigenous people want you to know about their cultures. That’s a heady number–370 million people.

370 Million Indigenous People Want You to Know About Their Cultures

“Navajo Rug” by teofilo

My Navajo Rug

When I was a child, I contracted pneumonia at the beginning of a vacation while we traveled in the southwest.  Instead of going home early, my parents bedded me down in the car to sleep at night to get out of the cold while they slept in a very primitive tent trailer. During that crazy vacation I learned how to swallow huge pills for the pneumonia.  Because of this adventure, I can still take lots of pills all at once because of that fateful vacation.

While we traveled on that trip, we stopped somewhere in New Mexico and purchased a Navajo rug.  Many years later, when my dad died, my mother gave it to me because they used it to keep me warm in the car during the pneumonia.  I will never forget that.

To this day, that Navajo rug lays in our cedar chest protected from the elements.  It occurred to me as I worked on this blog post that I have never learned much about the Navajo nation.  Why didn’t I learn about them when I was in school?

I’m a Trailer Blazer

I am a person who sees a problem and sets out to fix it in some way. Whenever I see the need, I set to it.  Generally, I started youth theater programs for community theaters.  I’ve also co-created a national playwriting contest for youth theater plays, developed an ESL drama club and a few programs. My friend said I’m a trail blazer–I create, get the program up and running and then I’m ready to move on.  Yup, that’s me!

Four years ago, I opened a drama education store (Dramamommaspeaks at TeacherspayTeachers.com)  to provide drama education resources for grades three to twelve.  I teach differently, not staying with the tried and true, because there are many opinions about what a student should learn about theater arts. In general, my teacher’s lessons or units are supplemental.

370 Million Indigenous People Want You to Know About Their Cultures

370 Million Indigenous People Want You to Know About Their Cultures

Recently I saw the movie,  Hunt for the Wilder People.  If you have seen it yet, I strongly suggest that you do.  It’s marvelous in so many ways. As I watching this funny and bittersweet story about a Maori boy in New Zealand and his unique relationship to his foster father, I realized I knew very little about the Maori culture.

Who are Indigenous People?

I can’t be the only person who thinks this way.  Truth be told, as children we never studied various cultures in social studies.  I was a student in the 1960s.  I’m sure our current social studies education includes learning about other cultures, but I don’t know how much they are studied.

The world is a mess right now.  We have lost our sense of compassion for people who are different from ourselves.  Could I help? Maybe a teeny bit.

My research began by seeking information about indigenous people.  Looking for facts and details about indigenous people, I found the UnitedNations.org website.

How many people identify as indigenous?

“It is estimated that there are more than 370 million indigenous people spread across 70 countries worldwide.
Practicing unique traditions, they retain social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct
from those of the dominant societies in which they live. Spread across the world from the Arctic to the South
Pacific, they are the descendants – according to a common definition – of those who inhabited a country or a
geographical region at the time when people of different cultures or ethnic origin. ”

370 Million Indigenous People Want You to Know About Their Cultures

Should I call them Indigenous People? 

The UnitedNations.org post continues, “The term “indigenous” has prevailed as a generic term for many years. In some countries, there may be
preference for other terms including tribes, first peoples/nations, aboriginals, ethnic groups, adivasi,
janajati. Occupational and geographical terms like hunter-gatherers, nomads, peasants, hill people, etc.,
also exist and for all practical purposes can be used interchangeably with “indigenous peoples”.

My masters in education focused on arts integration infused in core subjects.  Nothing makes me happier than to discover a way to integrate drama into a core subject classroom.

Because arts integration reaches and engages students, I am always on the hunt for learning opportunities using drama integration to support the core subjects.

370 Million Indigenous People Want You to Know About Their Cultures

370 Million Indigenous People Want You to Know About Their Cultures

Enter Indigenous People Units

I collect international folk tales to use in drama class or arts integration lessons.  To date, my plays and readers theater units concern about China, Mexico, Peru,  the Cherokee Indian, Italy, Pakistan, Germany, Romania, Alaska, Japan and a Jewish story.  I believe multiculturalism is very important.  See what I mean.  The Reasons Teaching Multiculturalism in the Classroom is Vitally Important

 

370 Millions People

In light of the world and the racial conflicts which have come to the forefront, I’ve turned my attention people of different cultures–namely indigenous people and their legend and folk tales.  I hope social studies, language arts, reading and drama teachers will appreciate the lessons and use them in their classroom.  They are enjoying the above mentioned ones I’ve developed.

Here’s a video preview of Sedna, An Inuit Tale

Indigenous People Units

As of this writing, I have two lessons available.  I’m hoping in time to have around ten, but of course I can create as many as I can find to share.

Maidens of the Corn

The Magic Lake

The products include:

  • Two warm ups–one physical and one imaginative, both boost energy
  • Original version of the Legend of Corn Maidens or Magic Lake–great for comparison and contrast
  • Teacher’s script–what I say and how I say it!
  • Advice in directing reader’s theater
  • Blocking plot for performance
  • Kachina Dolls or Machu Picchu Information
  • Vocabulary and pronunciation
  • Who are the Zuni or Inca people?
  • Eleven to Thirteen page scripts with roles for 20+
  • Original song reminiscent of the Zuni music
  • Sheet music (optional for performance)
  • Sound bytes of music
  • Enrichment activities–designing a costume, designing a set, study of other Native American creation myths or a drama exercise using tableaux

As you can see, there is plenty of material for a lesson or two.

I hope you’ll check out these lessons and the rest to come.  Honestly, I don’t know what will be next, but I know one thing–I’m going to help educate our students about indigenous people through dramatic arts. If you are interested in the reasons for using readers theater as a way to integrate drama into your classroom, go to  The Reasons Reader’s Theater is Successful with Our Students or  How to Excite Students With Drama Integration

What arts integration lessons are your favorite?  I’d love to hear.  Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

370 Million Indigenous People Want You to Know About Their Cultures

Creative Dramatics Lessons for Elementary Grades by an Award Winning Drama Teacher

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Creative Dramatics Lessons for Elementary Grades by an Award Winning Drama Teacher

Dramamommaspeaks Blog Author Deborah Baldwin

Hello!

You may not know me or be familiar with my work.  I’m Deborah Baldwin (but my friends call me Deb.)  I am a recently retired award-winning drama teacher of thirty-eight years.  In that time, I directed over 250 plays and musicals with students and adults as well.  I taught every grade level, but the bulk of my time was spent with secondary students.

Here is my resume if you’d like to see it:

If you’d like a free guide And lesson plan from me, click here LESSON PLAN

My Teaching Style

Drama is a hands-on class. To this end, I’m always on my feet, modeling for my students while teaching them a host of concepts. It is not unusual to hear my classroom in chortles of laughter because humor is an outstanding way to gain a student’s attention. I empower students at an early age. Although I am always mindful of my learning objectives, I think it’s vital for students to experiment within the confines of my instruction. I encourage students to be independent and creative thinkers. Many less confident or reluctant students benefit from my teaching methods as together we hit the challenges they encounter. I am creative, intense, driven and brave–these are qualities I nurture in all my students and generally receive outstanding results.

Creative Dramatics Lessons for Elementary Grades by an Award Winning Drama Teacher

If you need some warm ups for your class, whether a core or drama class check out Theatre Games Guide

Strengthening Reading Comprehension Skills

When I was researching this blog post, I found a wonderful site,  http://www.understood.org.  They discussed the reasons for reading aloud (aka drama class!):

1. Decoding

Decoding is a vital step in the reading process. Kids use this skill to sound out words they’ve heard before but haven’t seen written out. The ability to do that is the foundation for other reading skills.

Decoding relies on an early language skill called phonemic awareness. (This skill is part of an even broader skill called phonological awareness.) Phonemic awareness lets kids hear individual sounds in words (known as phonemes). It also allows them to “play” with sounds at the word and syllable level.

2. Fluency

To read fluently, kids need to instantly recognize words, including ones they can’t sound out. Fluency speeds up the rate at which they can read and understand text. It’s also important when kids encounter irregular words, like of and the, which can’t be sounded out.

Sounding out or decoding every word can take a lot of effort. Word recognition is the ability to recognize whole words instantly by sight, without sounding them out.

3. Vocabulary

To understand what you’re reading, you need to understand most of the words in the text. Having a strong vocabulary is a key component of reading comprehension. Students can learn vocabulary through instruction. But they typically learn the meaning of words through everyday experience and also by reading.

What can help: The more words kids are exposed to, the richer their vocabulary becomes. You can help build your child’s vocabulary by having frequent conversations on a variety of topics. Try to include new words and ideas. Telling jokes and playing word games is a fun way to build this skill.

Creative Dramatics Lessons for Elementary Grades by an Award Winning Drama Teacher

4. Sentence Construction and Cohesion

Understanding how sentences are built might seem like a writing skill. So might connecting ideas within and between sentences, which is called cohesion. But these skills are important for reading comprehension as well.

Knowing how ideas link up at the sentence level helps kids get meaning from passages and entire texts. It also leads to something called coherence, or the ability to connect ideas to other ideas in an overall piece of writing.

What can help: Explicit instruction can teach kids the basics of sentence construction. For example, teachers can work with students on connecting two or more thoughts, through both writing and reading.

5. Reasoning and Background Knowledge

Most readers relate what they’ve read to what they know. So it’s important for kids to have background or prior knowledge about the world when they read. They also need to be able to “read between the lines” and pull out meaning even when it’s not literally spelled out.

What can help: Your child can build knowledge through reading, conversations, movies and TV shows, and art. Life experience and hands-on activities also build knowledge.

6. Working Memory and Attention

These two skills are both part of a group of abilities known as executive function. They’re different but closely related.

When kids read, attention allows them to take in information from the text. Working memory allows them to hold on to that information and use it to gain meaning and build knowledge from what they’re reading.

What can help: There are many ways you can help improve your child’s working memory. Skill builders don’t have to feel like work, either. There are a number of games and everyday activities that can build working memory without kids even knowing it.

Creative Dramatics from an Awarding Winning Drama Teacher

Maybe you are researching Back to School lessons. Or you are looking for drama units, lessons and plays for your elementary students. Or you want to save yourself time, especially since distance learning is taking its toll on our teachers.  

I can help you. 

Here is my opinion about expectations of our elementary students. My Pet Peeve

Here are a few of my lessons for elementary students:

It Could Always Be Worse Readers Theater

Each lesson comes with a teacher’s letter, procedure, a warm-up, materials list, teacher’s script and assignments.

Recently, I created fifteen minute radio theater plays for grades 3 to 5.  These are royalty free, too! 

Recently, I created fifteen minute radio theater plays for grades 3 to 5.  These are royalty free, too!

I hope you’ll check out my creative dramatics lessons.  My thirty-eight years of teaching drama education serve me well in creating these lessons and/or adapting some which I all ready used in the classroom.

Have you taught creative dramatics with your students?  I’d love to hear about it.  Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Looking for a freebie or two?  Go to:

Free Teaching Resources Blog Hop

Free Stuff!

 

The Blended Learning Classroom is Here to Stay

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The Blended Learning Classroom is Here to Stay

Two years ago, I taught a blended classroom model for a community college. The dean called it a hybrid classroom. You can read more about it here:

 Thirteen Days to Creating a Successful Hybrid College Class, Day Two

Thirteen Days to Creating a Successful Hybrid College Class, Day Five

Deborah Baldwin, Dramamommaspeaks

I taught in public and private schools for the thirty-eight years of my career.  A blended classroom was very different for me, although I was enthusiastic about trying it.

Primarily, I had to think backwards with everything I wanted the students to learn.  Many hours and days later, I realized the value of the blended classroom.

I think we may see more and more of it as the pandemic continues.  

The good news is that our students appreciate differentiated instruction.  Who doesn’t?  I know I like to learn by myself and I also like to learn from a qualified instructor.

Plus, some parts of a lesson can be better expressed by viewing a video clip. Or taught by running through basic concepts on digital flashcards.  Of course, the most important part should be instructed by the teacher.

Because of the pandemic, most of our school have gone on-line.  We hear a lot about people pivoting, but folks, you have no idea how difficult that has been for our teachers.

They are best in their classroom. You just can’t stop a top notch educator!

Career, Business, Woman, Silhouette, Office, Worker

(I have to say this photo is rather comical.  What teacher wears high heels to teach?  Not this one, that’s for sure.)

I discovered more than half of my products could be tweaked for distance learning.  Since then, hundreds were purchased.  That’s thrilling for me for obvious reasons, but more importantly I was relieved I helped someone in a tough predicament.  However, I sensed they wanted something more than what I could offer at the moment. So I began researching the blended classroom.

Because of my recent experience,  it was necessary to blog about the blended classroom.   I truly believe it is here to stay.  As I always do when putting together a blog post, I looked around to see what I could find in the way of research on the subject.  This post very helpful, “The Seven Most Important Benefits of Blended Learning” from KnowledgeWave.com. KnowedgeWave is a business software company who develops products using Microsoft Office.

 The Blended Learning Classroom is Here to Stay

1. Flexibility

A blended learning approach provides ultimate flexibility in presenting content. Complex topics can be presented in the classroom, while other subject matter can be available online. With an online component, you’ll also increase flexibility and convenience over how and when your employees participate in training.

“In studies contrasting blends of online and face-to-face instruction with conventional face-to-face classes, blended instruction has been more effective.”
US Dept of Education, 2010

2. Effectiveness

Garrison and Kanuka (and I’m sure countless other academics) have studied blended learning. Their research concludes that “blended learning … has the proven potential to enhance both the effectiveness and efficiency of meaningful learning experiences.”

3. Efficiency

With a well-planned blended learning strategy, you can efficiently and quickly deliver training to a broad audience. And with digital assets such as videos and recordings and eBooks, the potential for re-use is huge. You can easily help more people get up-to-speed after the initial rounds of training have passed.

4. Cost-effectiveness

Most of us like strategies that can save our organization money. And blended learning is one of them! Including more online options in your training program saves on travel and missed work. When you are hosting live events online, you eliminate employee and instructor travel costs. When the venue is your own desk, that’s clearly a savings over large rooms!

5. Personalization

Any training that is not well implemented can create an isolating, cookie-cutter, impersonal learning experience. But the good news is that a well-crafted blended solution can provide a seamless transition from classroom to computer or vice-versa. You can design ways of continuing discussion themes and personalizing content to a person’s specific job or interests.

6. Extended reach

Almost always, creating a blended learning strategy reduces classroom teaching time. By digitizing the expertise of talented instructors or subject-matter experts, you can reach more people with high-quality content at a fraction of the cost. That frees up knowledgeable instructors to offer more classes, or create more training content, or work on other things.

7. Covers all learning styles

It’s always important to take learning styles into account then designing training for adults. Effective blended learning is a “best of all worlds” solution that can help you cater to all learning styles through a variety of mediums and techniques.

Here’s something I did not know–the blended classroom approach has been around since 1960 when the first mini computers emerged.  WHAT?!?

Innovative Teaching Methods

As a teacher – author I am constantly on the look out for successful, innovative and new methods teachers are using so I can provide products for them. In particular, I develop drama education units and lessons.

One of the newest methods is one pager assignments.  One pager assignments are a terrific way for students to take notes over what they learn.

One Pager Assignment

Here is one for you to check out : Hugh Jackman One Pager Biography Lesson

HUGH JACKMAN ONE PAGER COVER

A Blended Classroom Drama Lesson:  Costume Design with Fairy Tale Characters

We are hearing in the news that many schools are considering distance learning in the fall term. Lately, I considered how I could be of help to more teachers. Watching them navigate their way through these challenging times is hard.  Trust me, it is difficult enough to be a teacher in the classroom but these times compound everything.

I created nearly 220 drama education products (lessons, units, posters, quizzes, word walls, etc.) for my Dramamommaspeaks Store through Teacherspayteachers.com

Here is my recent costume design product for the blended classroom.

This unique and innovative lesson is the best of both worlds giving students an opportunity to learn individually and additional tools for the teacher to instruct through distance learning or in the classroom. #distancelearningTPT

How do I use this in my classroom?

It’s a three-step process. First, the teacher assigns the student to view a portion of a video which demonstrates the costume design concepts. Next, she assigns the Boom Cards! for the student to study prior to the assignments. Finally, the teacher charges the student to design a costume for a fairy tale character and complete the creative writing assignment. This lesson can last one or two days.

Included in the PDF product:

  • Letter to Teacher
  • Rationale for Teaching Costume Design
  • Costume Design Template (Female)
  • Costume Design Template (Male)
  • Writing Assignment Sheet
  • Writing Assignment Sheet Examples
  • Sources
  • Video Links

Included in the Boom Cards! product:

  • 16 Boom Cards which include the history of costume design
  • True/false questions to secure the learning as the student progresses through them

If you’d like more information about this Blended Classroom Lesson, go to:

Drama Lesson:  Boom Cards! Costume Design

The Blended Learning Classroom is Here to Stay

The Blended Learning Classroom is Here to Stay

NEW!  Here’s my first hybrid Broadway musical lesson.  Check it out: Wicked, the Broadway Musical with Boom Cards

I’m no sooth sayer, but from my many years of teaching experience and observation, I think I’m right bout the blended classroom of the future.

What experiences do you have with the Blended Classroom?  I’d love to hear about them.  Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

 

 

 

 

 

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