Reflections on Developing My Blended Course: Challenges, What I Learned, and What I Would Do Differently
Designing my blended Algebra course was both rewarding and eye-opening. While I enjoyed building lessons that integrated technology, collaboration, and real-world applications, I also encountered several challenges that pushed me to rethink how students learn in digital spaces. Below, I reflect on the specific obstacles I faced during development, what I would change next time, and how the course would look different for another audience. Challenges I Encountered 1. Overcomplicating the Technology Tools One of the biggest challenges involved selecting the right tools. At the start, I incorporated too many platforms—Padlet for collaboration, Edpuzzle for videos, MagicSchool AI for differentiation, Canva for infographics, and Google Classroom for management. For example, in Lesson 2 (Operations with Quadratic Functions), students had to watch an Edpuzzle video, complete a Padlet gallery walk, and submit practice problems in DeltaMath. Students quickly became confused about where ea...