Action+Research+Project

Action Research Topic: //Currently Undetermined//

I have a "general wondering" tooling around in my head, but I haven't been able to narrow my focus enough to pinpoint an actual question for my action research plan. Doing this is going to require some more detailed research on the topic. I am very interested in the idea of a blended learning classroom, a classroom that is part human interaction or face-to-face instruction and part e-learning environment. The ultimate aim of blended learning being to provide realistic practical opportunities for learners and teachers to make learning independent, useful, sustainable and ever growing (Graham, 2005). I am beginning a process of creating a K-5 online lesson database for this type of hybrid classroom. I want to know if these types of classrooms are effective in student growth and understanding at the elementary level. There is a lot of research on the secondary and post-secondary education environment, but not so much at the elementary level. I think the elementary level offers a great environment for this type of learning because it gives the teacher an opportunity to break the class into smaller groups for face-to-face instruction more appropriate for a smaller group of children's learning needs. It also allows for the students who don't need to sit through another lesson on a skill the opportunity to explore the content in a more advanced way. It seems logical that each "group" of students would benefit. It creates an environment where the students who need more remedial instruction on a skill will not be dragged along at a pace they can't handle, and a student who has mastered the skill won't be forced to stroll along when they want to run ahead and learn more. I want to know if this is an effective model to improve individual student's performance and meet an individual learner's needs. I also want to learn what I need to do to create an effective model or lesson database for educators in a blended learning, or brick-and-click type of environment. What type of training will be required of teachers to implement this type of learning environment; can I teach them? Resources Graham, C. R. (2005). "Blended learning systems: Definition, current trends, and future directions.". In Bonk, C. J.; Graham, C. R.. //Handbook of blended learning: Global perspectives, local designs//. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer. pp. 3–21