Teaching Strategies for Blended Learning Environments at Elementary Level

Abstract

This paper examines effective teaching strategies for fostering attunement in blended learning environments at the elementary level. Attunement, characterized by a deep connection and responsiveness between teacher and student, is essential for creating a supportive and engaging educational experience. With the increasing adoption of blended learning an approach that combines online digital media with traditional classroom methods, teachers encounter new challenges and opportunities in maintaining this crucial connection. Through a mixed-methods study involving interviews and classroom observations, the researcher identified key strategies that successful elementary teachers use to achieve attunement in blended settings. These strategies include personalized feedback, adaptive learning technologies, synchronous and asynchronous communication methods, and the incorporation of social-emotional learning (SEL) practices. The findings indicate that teachers who effectively integrate these strategies can create a cohesive and responsive learning environment, even in a partially virtual context. The study emphasizes the importance of ongoing professional development and support for teachers to navigate and implement these strategies effectively. Ultimately, this research underscores the pivotal role of teacher attunement in enhancing student engagement, motivation, and academic success in blended learning environments at the elementary level.