A Personal Invitation: Shirts, Shoes & Blender Optional (Newsletter - April, 2013 )

Blended & Distance Learning Programs: Spring Summer 2013

Photo: edtechdigest.com

This month we launched our new S.M.Art Kids Adaptive Yoga Facilitator's Training Blended Learning Program that you are invited to participate in!

Our dynamic programs have always given more than just the standard kid's yoga training: we offer professional development programs that introduce a variety of methods that can be customized & adapted for students of all ages & abilities, complementing any educational, sensory, therapeutic or recreational setting.

But we have now taken that a step further.

While Live workshops and webinars are interactive and fun, they don't work for everybody. For one reason or another, whether its a matter of scheduling or an alternate learning style, sometimes attending a live workshop is overwhelming, not enough or is just not possible.

Since, like many of the children we work with, we don't all learn at the same pace or in the same way, BodyLogique's founder felt that our programs needed to reflect a diversity in learning as well, and be delivered on multiple levels.

After polling our previous and current students, we have decided that it would be more appropriate to move away from the traditional "Immersion" style learning and towards a more integrative format. We have designed three Blended Learning options for training, keeping in mind what works for you and your individual needs:

• Blended/Hybrid Learning (Beginner-Intermediate Level):

Designed to supplement our LIVE workshops & work with & support the learner at regular intervals through a variety of channels such as enhanced e-books, live chat and forums, personalized phone/skype coaching, videos and e-mail. Our Blended Learning (Hybrid) courses are flexible, interactive and designed for the learner to understand and apply material over a 4 10 week session, fully supported, ending in a live, hands-on workshop where the learner will be able to apply what has been covered in the weeks leading up to the workshop.

• Independent Learning (Intermediate - Advanced)

Designed for more Independent Learners or people with a high level of personal/professional education or experience in the course topics. Independent Learning is self-directed, defined, organized and completed by the learner. (This may or may not include a live workshop). Your adviser will act as a facilitator or guide as needed, via phone, skype and e-mail, but the learner is encouraged to work, research and learn at their own pace. Project work as well as relevant input from peers on the same level will enhance what is outlined in the rest of the instruction materials. Coursework is completed through a variety of channels, including enhanced e-books, videos, outside resources and projects, and evaluated by adviser so the learner can be provided with useful and relevant feedback..

• Distance Learning (All Levels)

Designed specifically for those who live too far away to attend a live training or for those who have family/professional obligations & priorities that prevent them from attending live training. Interactive and fully supportive of the learner, this option follows a format similar to the "Blended Learning" model, with the Live workshop portion replaced by a video of an actual live training. Enhanced e-book, projects, skype, live chats and personalized phone & e-mail support help to round out your training.


What is Blended Learning? 

We live in a hybrid world-we communicate face-to-face as well as online. Blended learning mixes the best of both of these worlds for instructional & learning purposes. (No blender needed!)

Blended Learning is an innovative approach to course design that 'blends' the best of both face-to face & online learning. Its main intent is to build from both approaches to create an efficient, effective and well-rounded learning experience. The learner can work from their office, home or anywhere they have computer access (hence, the "shirts, shoes and blender optional" tagline above.)

Well-designed blended learning courses leverage what needs to be done in person, (group presentations & discussions and hands-on instruction) in combination with what can be completed by the learner independently & online (reading, research, worksheets, document management & organization, individual projects, etc).  This is especially effective for high school, college, adult and enrichment learning.

We have observed that this method is more personalized, and the most engaging, efficient and thorough way to learn complicated, involved or new subject matter, as compared to the more common 2-3 day "immersion" model, which is clearly not for everyone. Our (unofficial and non-scientific) research has shown that a participant is more likely to stay motivated & effectively assimilate, understand & use the newly learned material immediately when they participate in a hybrid/blended course, than when they take a 2 or 3 day weekend workshop.

(Compare: short and succinct exam study sessions spread out over a 3 month period, or "cramming" two days before the exam. Which is a better way to learn the material?)

From our work and personal interaction with children who have a variety of alternate learning styles, we have seen that innovative learning approaches are always in the student's best interest. We are now embracing these approaches in our adult education division.

Our very first Blended/Hybrid course will run for 10 weeks, and combines an enhanced, interactive eBook manual with audio and video media, live group chats, phone/skype sessions, individual projects and a live, 1 day hands-on workshop on Saturday, June 22, 2013. (A hard copy print manual is also available.)

In the process of designing this course we have realized just how many benefits there are to a blended approach:

• places more control of your time and scheduling back with you
• flexibility/access to materials while retaining a sense of community
• experience enhanced learning through a variety of channels
• fully interactive and allows an opportunity to explore the subject in depth
• ensures thorough study and understanding of subject matter
• technology offers more opportunities for collaborative learning environment
• learning is guided & allows you to learn at your own pace with the help of instructor and others
• weekly email support, phone and Skype sessions allow you to ask questions and interact with your instructor
• not location dependent-learn anywhere
• low cost to produce materials-so tuition coast is lower for the learner
• reduces travel and lodging time & expenses

We believe that the Blended Approach is more personalized instruction and  offers a more engaging & integrated learning experience for both instructors and students. We are excited to now offer this option!

We invite you to explore the informational links below - and to be one of the first to take advantage of this newly expanded course offering.

The EARLY Registration rate of $375 for the Spring/Summer Session (May 3-July 12) has been extended to April 30! Register now!

*Important Dates Below:

• May 3, 2013: S.M.Art Kids Adaptive Yoga Facilitator's Training (Blended & Distance) Spring/Summer Sessions begin  (LIVE workshop June 22)
• June 22, 2013: S.M.Art Kids Adaptive Yoga Facilitator's Training LIVE workshop, Mt. Laurel, NJ

Find out more by clicking on the links below:

See Event Details & Description for Hybrid/Blended program on Facebook

See Event Details & Description for Distance Program on Facebook

See S.M.Art Kids® Facilitator's Training  Course Description here

Find link for Registration Packet and Pay Pal Button here

Find additional information and course schedule by using the above "Registration Packet" link.


Up coming Workshop Dates: (Quakertown, PA)

June 8:  Smart Bodies: What your Child's Food Cravings Are Telling You

August 24:  S.A.F.E Spaces™ for Learning & Living  and  S.M.Art Kids® In the Classroom

September 21:  R.E.A.Ch™ Relaxation Education Workshop 

October 19:  S.M.Art Kids Adaptive Yoga Facilitator's Training Live Workshop (Fall Session)


See descriptions of all course offerings here: BodyLogique.com 

For other questions, please contact: bodylogique.info@gmail.com

February: Updates

Save the Date! March 23, 2013

Bucks County Autism Support Coalition

6th Annual Autism Conference

Saturday, March 23, 2013 

8:30AM -4:30PM

Barbara will be presenting an adapted version of her "Calm & Connected" course.

See details and register here

For questions, please contact: 

bodylogique.info@gmail.com

Summer Camp Programs (BodyLogique Updates: January, 2013)

“Summer Stretch”

Camp Programming

by BodyLogique®

Health & Learning

Stretching Bodies, Minds and Imaginations!

I know its only January but most local summer camp programs are being planned and promoted over the next few months, so its time for camp directors to start scheduling activities and events for their campers.

If you are a camp director or coordinator, and would like to offer adaptive programming for your  guests, contact Barbara at the e-mail below.

Add value to summer learning with our mobile, fun & educational recreation programs, designed to compliment, enrich & extend each individual camp’s themes activities, and to support children’s health & learning. We will come for a day, once weekly or several consecutive days. Adaptive and non-adaptive programming is available.

Take a look at what we have available at the link below.

Contact Barbara@bodylogique.com with questions and to reserve your space!

Summer Stretch Camp Program

Happy New Year-2013- January, 2013 Newsletter

Happy New Year!

We are just about ready to launch our temporary BodyLogique.org Google Training site. Here you will find a variety of educational videos along with a calendar of listings for live and distance training. Our goal is to become an accessible, global learning community, with something to offer to everyone.

We are updating our website platform and in the process of re-formatting it to be mobile-friendly. We were not able to keep the old design-but be assured that the new format will be compatible with more devices and offer a better experience for everyone who visits.  The new site should be up and running in a week or two.

We are also working on a new book and some other projects that we hope you will enjoy! Keep an eye on our this website, our blog and our newsletter for updates.

 If you are new to our community, you can also join us or send us a message on Facebook andTwitter. Contact us by e-mail: bodylogique.info@gmail.com

 Wishing you all a Happy Healthy New Year!

~Barbara

S.M.Art For A Cause Charitable Giving Program

November marked the beginning of the season of giving.

Over the Fall of 2012, we have implemented a new Charitable Giving initiative that we are very excited about! We call it:"S.M.Art for A Cause" and we do hope you will take a moment and familiarize yourself with this simple but effective program. 

We have designed the program in an effort to reach more families in the immediate community and to support local schools and non-profit organizations who are working tirelessly to educate & support children with special needs & their families.

To start off our program and to spread the word to as many people as possible, we ask you to please visit our website and use the Tweet and Facebook Share buttons. For every time these buttons are used, we will donate an item to the local Pennridge F.I.S.H organization, helping families in transition & need in the Pennridge School District.

Welcome to the preview issue of our quarterly newsletter!

Starting in January, 2013, you will have the option to subscribe to this newsletter for free.

Our goal is to build a caring community of like-minded professionals and parents, who are interested in finding solutions to children’s health & learning challenges.

We are dedicated to supporting the health & learning of children of all abilities & want to bring you the most up-to-date useful information available, to reach that goal.

Whether you are a general or special education teacher  a paraprofessional, an OT, PT, SLP, camp director, yoga instructor or athletic coach, you will find links, articles and other useful information here just for you.

We welcome your suggestions! So please feel free drop us a line at:

Barbara@bodylogique.com

Barbara Gini

Founder

BodyLogique

Health & Learning Solutions

Preview Newsletter-November/December, 2012