How PBS videos can be used to promote instruction in the blended learning classroom

When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices, and demonstrate how these best practices can be applied in the real (i.e. physical) and virtual (i.e. online) classroom for both teaching and teacher training. The combination of face to face instruction in a physical setting and online learning is called blended learning. In this section of the blog we will describe how the internet can serve as a supplemental resource for instruction and the mentoring of pre-service and in-service Jewish educators. In this post we will discuss how PBS videos can be used to promote instruction in the blended learning classroom. 

Assumption: The teacher or mentor teacher has a interactive white board (i.e. SMART Board, Promethean, etc.), a Tablet PC (also called a Slate or Blade), a computer presenter or computer with internet access attached to an LCD projector in the classroom. It would be ideal if students or mentees had access to their own laptop computers or Ipads. Given parental and school approval, and the development of specific guidelines, smartphones can be used to enhance instruction as well.

Note: Although PBS videos can be applied in the Judaic Studies blended learning classroom, they can be also be used for training pre-service and in-service Jewish educators for professional or staff development. It is our hope that Jewish educators around the globe will form an online community of practice, a CoP, a group of people who share an interest, a craft, and/or a profession, to enhance the delivery of instruction and training of Jewish educators. For example, here is a CoP you might want to join. 

Note: PBS videos can be used in a face to face and virtual classroom.

What is PBS videos?

PBS videos are a collection of award-winning videos and films produced by the Public Broadcasting System (e.g. NOVA, Frontline, Masterpiece, Newshour, Nature, Need to Know and American Masters).

Where is  PBS videos located on the internet?

http://www.pbs.org/video 

How PBS videos can be used to promote instruction in the blended learning classroom

Click on the links below and find resources describing how PBS videos can be used in the traditional and virtual classroom:

• http://www.pbs.org/teachers
• http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/
• http://www.teachersdomain.org/

Note: Before inviting your students to explore this website, kindly investigate whether the videos available on this site are age and content appropriate for your students and relate to your learning objectives.

On the next post we will discuss how PBS videos can be used to promote  Judaic instruction and for the training and mentoring of pre-service and in-service Jewish educators.