Are you ready to transform your classroom into the optimum blended learning powerhouse of teaching and learning? This type of environment shifts the teacher role to a facilitator of learning. This session will set the stage by defining blended learning, exploring implementation models, and researching strategies for student-focused learning. We will explore classroom culture, classroom management, instructional planning and delivery, assessment, and innovative technology tools to promote student agency. Come join us and see what all of the buzz is about!

 

Participants will leave this session able to:

• Promote a culture that places students at the center of learning.

• Develop routines and procedures to foster an effective blended learning environment.

• Explore various offline and online data sources to measure students’ academic performance and to drive instruction.

Are you ready to start personalizing learning in your school? This journey is not a process that evolves overnight. Blended learning is an approach to instruction that combines face-to-face learning at a brick-and-mortar location with online learning where the student has some element of control over time, place, path, and pace. Join Arkansas’ Own Team Digital as we provide an opportunity for school leadership teams to be immersed as students in a blended environment as we begin developing your school’s implementation plan. Consider sending teams (up to five), including administrators and lead teachers, who will be prepared to guide their schools in creating a student-focused environment.*

Participants will be able to:

• Define blended learning.

• Distinguish between blended learning and technology-rich instruction.

• Reflect on how various new school models would translate into their own classroom/school/district.

• Analyze the critical components of a strong blended learning foundation.

• Devise a blended learning implementation plan for transitioning to a student-focused environment.

Does granting students more flexibility make you uncomfortable? Come join us to learn how to establish Classroom procedures, routines and clear expectations that promotes learning in a student-focused environment. Effective classroom management strategies in return reduce discipline infractions within the classroom.

Participants will leave this session able to:

• Establish routines and procedures in the classroom.

• Develop strategies to manage student behavior.

• Facilitate collaborative learning.

• Create a culture of respect and achievement.

Many transformations are taking place in Arkansas as we move toward becoming national leaders in student-focused education. Arkansas’ Own Team Digital will introduce participants to competency-based learning and policy changes, such as ESSA and ACT 872: Flexibility in Awarding of Course Credits, that have paved the way for innovation. Participants will leave this session equipped with information that is fundamental to shift from the time-based education system to a learning-based system.

Participants will leave this session able to:

• Compare and contrast the traditional model to competency-based model of learning.

• Unpack a priority content standard to develop a proficiency scale.

• Identify differentiated learning to foster growth mindset and promote lifelong learning.

Are you looking for ways to give students access to a more enriched curriculum? Do you want to provide opportunities to connect your students to resources such as museums, art galleries, and other places around the globe? Virtual Field Trips are real-world interactive guided explorations. Take students to amazing places without ever leaving the classroom! Some of the benefits include enhancing instructional design and delivery, addressing vocabulary studies, and promoting global awareness. Virtual field trips also benefit districts in time and cost savings. This instructional tool can address many elements in producing healthy, skilled, educated, successful citizens in the 21st century. 

Participants will leave this session able to:

• Visit location(s) outside the learner’s geographic area through the content provider’s showcase. 

• Explore resources and content providers that are specific to your area of interest. 

• Learn how virtual field trips can be used to personalize learning.

Join us on a journey to transform education to meet the needs of all students! This session explores three approaches to teaching and learning. These innovative practices promote student ownership in the learning process. Arkansas’ Own Team Digital will facilitate this opportunity for participants to learn common vocabulary and distinguish the relationships between blended, competency-based, and personalized learning.

Participants will be able to:                                                                 

• Define and differentiate between personalized learning, competency-based education, and blended learning.

• Describe what each approach may look like in the classroom and at school levels.

• Reflect on how a shift towards each approach impacts a student’s education, career pathways, AND your professional role.

Are you unsure or uncomfortable navigating the digital waters with your students? Have you had a bad experience with incorporating digital learning? Are you ready to embed digital literacy as a seamless component? A comprehensive understanding of the concepts and elements of digital literacy is the first step. Come and explore digital literacy and build your plan! Arkansas' Own Team Digital will help you build your digital literacy knowledge with a common vocabulary, tech safety guidelines, and strategies to select appropriate tools to locate, analyze, create and communicate digitally.

Participants will be able to:

• Draft a personalized definition of digital literacy.

• Construct a digital literacy plan.

• Explain digital safety and security.

• Utilize digital resources appropriately.

• Communicate and collaborate in the digital space.

Do you have access to Google Classroom and want to learn more about using it to enhance student learning? Google Classroom is a platform where teachers can distribute, collect, and manage classwork. Join us to learn how to organize content, provide efficient feedback, and streamline communication with stakeholders. Explore strategies for differentiated lessons that will engage your students in collaborative and constructive learning activities.

Participants will be able to:

• Identify the classroom’s basic and advanced components. 

• Develop and share assignments. 

• Share links, various forms of media, PDF files, and videos. 

• Give timely feedback in order to impact learning.