True College and Career Readiness
Welcome to the Modern Classrooms Project Podcast. Each week we bring you discussions with educators on how they use blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning to better serve their learners. In this episode, guest host Avery Balasbas is joined by seven of his former high school students who are all now in college to discuss how a blended, self-paced, and mastery-based instructional approach in high school has helped them in their college career.
The students emphasize how these three pillars have affected their learning styles and college experiences.
Here are three key takeaways from this podcast episode:
Foster a strong sense of community: The flexible structure of the model allowed for more interaction and collaboration among students, leading to deeper connections and a more supportive learning environment.
Blended learning supports visual learners: Students appreciated the ability to rewatch videos and review material at their own pace, which helped them better understand complex concepts.
Preparing for the challenges of college: The self-paced and mastery-based elements of the model helped students develop strong time management skills and a sense of self-accountability, while also providing opportunities for creative expression. Jimmy shares, “I wish more classes would implement different styles of assignments.”
Discussion questions for PLC and PD:
How can educators effectively balance the need for structure and flexibility in a classroom?
What are the challenges and benefits of fostering a strong sense of community in a classroom?
How can educators integrate technology effectively into a classroom to enhance learning?
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