Blended learning is more than classroom teaching and the use of our LMS Brightspace. It is a well-designed mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities that are integrated. If you are in front of the class during a lesson, your role as a teacher is clear. But you also have an important role to play in the online learning environment of students! Your presence online is crucial, for example for student engagement and motivation. Blended learning goes further than simply posting homework on Brightspace. As a teacher, how do you ensure that learning continues online? Below are a few practical tips:

• Provide a clear (online) structure and be clear about what you expect from students. For example, do you want students to watch a knowledge clip and answer questions about it? If so, say so explicitly and address the students if they have not done the assignment.
• Indicate where students can ask their questions online.
• Make sure that the online and offline activities link up seamlessly.
  • At the beginning of the lesson, share some of the contributions students have made online. Why is this a good example? What is a misconception about the material and why? This increases the motivation to participate in online activities and improves learning.
  • At the end of the lesson, look ahead: how will students continue learning at home? Are you using a new tool? Show students how it works.
• Be present in the online learning environment:
  • Post a Brightspace anouncement once in a while.
  • Respond to the contribution of students (sample wise). Using the FeedbackFruits tools, you can simply respond with a ‘thumbs up’. This takes little time, but students do feel that their efforts are being seen.