Week 4

When implementing something innovative such as a blended delivery course, it is important to inform parents beforehand in order to insure they understand instruction will differ from past practices. The most simple way to accomplish this is to send home a letter informing them of the changes and the ways in which their child will be taught. Dear parents: This year is going to prove to be exciting and innovative. Your child will participate in a new way of teaching and learning. In the past, the most common method of classroom instruction consisted of the teacher simply instructing the students, then expecting them to regurgitate the information back. With advancements in technology, the traditional style of teaching is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Now, I am excited to inform you that your child will be participating in this new form of education. I want to make you aware that you should not expect your child to bring home worksheets or homework out of the book. This does not mean that we are not doing anything in class, but rather that the majority of our work and instruction will be computer-based. This is particularly exciting because it will allow students to work more at their own pace, as well as review and correct work on the fly. Some things to expect this year: --Little to no homework --Regular collaboration and work time during regular class --Minimal traditional teaching practices --Student-driven leaning experiences --A focus on using technology to deliver content I want to thank you in advance for your patience as we work to integrate these new practices. It is most certainly going to be a trial and error process, but I am confident that it will produce a much more fulfilling experience for your child. Sincerely, Wes Neal