Stepan Mekhitarian 
The Essential Blended Learning PD Planner [EPUB ebook] 
Where Classroom Practice Meets Distance Learning

Foreword by Michael Fullan.

‘One of the best new Professional Development books.’ 
-Book Authority


Drive student learning with the best of both worlds!


Transition back to school with a comprehensive PD plan that leverages the best of distance learning and classroom instruction. Distance learning, despite its myriad challenges, has spotlighted innovative instructional practices and created an opportunity to fundamentally rethink how the traditional classroom works. 



In this timely, crucial book, Dr. Stepan Mekhitarian constructs a framework for a task force of teachers and leaders to establish an effective blended learning program that capitalizes on the capacity and skills teachers have built while teaching remotely. An innovative blended learning model effectively implemented across school systems will positively impact equity and access for all students. In addition to Blended Learning for Social Justice sections, readers will find 

 

• Ideas for Professional Development sessions for sharing strategies and topics with teams

• Distance Learning vs. Blended Learning sections to help transition various strategies between environments

• Figures, templates, and tech tips to aid in implementation



Learn how to create a powerful learning experience for students that fosters collaboration, engagement, and rigorous learning experiences by combining instructional technology and the best of traditional classroom practice.

Содержание

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

INTRODUCTION

PART I: A NEW VISION FOR LEARNING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Chapter 1: HOW WILL SCHOOLS TRANSITION BACK TO THE CLASSROOM?

LEVERAGING BEST PRACTICES FROM THE DISTANCE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

WHAT IS BLENDED LEARNING?

BLENDED VS. DISTANCE LEARNING

FOUR BLENDED LEARNING MODELS

ENHANCING CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND CONSTRUCTIVIST LEARNING THROUGH BLENDED LEARNING

LEVERAGING BLENDED LEARNING TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

KEY TAKEAWAYS

CHAPTER 2: RETHINKING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN BLENDED LEARNING

A WORD ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP

SHIFTING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGY

GATHERING THE DATA

DEVELOPING A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN WITH A SUSTAINED FOCUS ON INSTRUCTION

TEACHER-LED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT OFFERS LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND INCREASED BUY-IN

CONSIDERATIONS BEYOND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

KEY TAKEAWAYS

PART II: APPLYING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES TO INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICE

CHAPTER 3: SUPPORTING RIGOROUS LEARNING FOR ALL

DIFFERENTIATED SUPPORTS FOR EQUITABLE ACCESS

RIGOROUS, CONSTRUCTIVIST LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

EFFECTIVE QUESTIONING TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTIVIST LEARNING

STUDENT COLLABORATION

KEY TAKEAWAYS

CHAPTER 4: EMBRACING PERSONALIZED ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK

ASSESSMENTS TO GATHER ACTIONABLE DATA

ACTIONABLE FEEDBACK FOR ALL STUDENTS

FACILITATING SELF-MONITORING

PEER FEEDBACK

KEY TAKEAWAYS

CHAPTER 5: CREATING A BLENDED LEARNING CULTURE

THE RISE OF DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP TRAINING

LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS IN A BLENDED LEARNING MODEL

ESTABLISHING A COLLABORATIVE LEARNING CULTURE IN CLASSROOMS

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION AND MANAGEMENT

KEY TAKEAWAYS

PART III: BRINGING TOGETHER TRAINING AND APPLICATION INTO ONE COHESIVE PROGRAM

CONCLUSION: BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

CREATING A VISION BASED ON THE KEY TAKEAWAYS

FOCUSED LEADERSHIP DURING THE TRANSITION

BUILDING YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM

COLLABORATING WITH STUDENTS AND PARENTS AS STAKEHOLDERS

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A NEW WORLD

References

Index

Об авторе

Dr. Stepan Mekhitarian serves as the Director of Innovation, Instruction, Assessment, and Accountability for Glendale Unified School District, and he was one of the main leaders responsible for transitioning the large district to distance learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stepan previously served as the Coordinator of Data and Blended Learning in Los Angeles Unified School District. He has been passionate about instructional technology and data-driven decision making since his first year as a public school teacher. He has a wide breadth of experience in classroom and leadership positions, and holds degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, Harvard, and Loyola Marymount University (LMU). Stepan’s doctoral research at LMU’s Educational Leadership for Social Justice Program focused on the skills and training needed to effectively implement blended learning across schools and systems. He is a Google Certified Trainer, a Microsoft Innovative Educator, Blended Learning Universe Expert Advisor, and lecturer for the Instructional Technology for School Leaders course at LMU.