Blended Learning in ITA Class

The blended learning technique in the ITA class has been truly effective. For a person, like me, who has limited computer skills, I have learned a lot. Initially, I was afraid to take this class because of all the computer based assignments required; being able to access instructions and resources under the "course material/content" tab is like having a teacher in the room at all times.

After listening to Stacy Hawthorne, there is no doubt that the ITA class fits into the blended learning system  (https://brightspace.uakron.edu/d2l/le/content/4211862/viewContent/4498409/View). It seems to be a simple process to follow. I found numerous websites relating to blended learning, that all had similar steps and tasks. Each website with easy and clear instructions to follow for learning at all levels.
See some of the sites below:
Education Technology  
Teach Thought We Grow Teachers
U.S. Dept of Education    A lot of the information in this website was discussed by Stacy Hawthorne.

The information below was taken from the Education Technology website, which shows the steps to blended learning. Purple highlighted text added to show how ITA class fits the blended learning system.

How does blended learning work?

Blended learning differs slightly from classroom to classroom, depending on how the facilitator feels it works best with their course material, but it has three main components. 

1. In-person classroom activities led by the facilitator

One of the biggest advantages of blended learning is that it frees up class time to focus on interactive activities, making the classroom experience more dynamic and allowing students to use their all-important class-time to work on projects with peers to make the most of face-to-face time with the facilitator. Taking silent study out of the classroom changes the learning environment hugely, and moving the role of teacher doling out information to that of facilitator helping the student access and digest information switches up the roles of teacher and student.

ITA Class meets every Monday from 5:20pm-7:50pm 

2. Online learning materials and study resources

Materials that the students can study online can include pre-recorded lectures – often by the same facilitator leading the classes. They’re always accessible, so the student can control the time, place, and pace of study.

Brightspace, course materials/content tab

3. Structured independent study time with material from the lectures, and using the skills the student has developed in the classroom

This is the time ITA students independently at their own pace

I predict within the next 10 years or so, textbooks will be a thing of the past.