What is Blended Learning? (The Big Picture)
Blended learning places the student at the center of the learning process using technology to encourage and engage students in mastery of content areas (Powell, 2015, p. 4). There are five keys to the success of a blended learning classroom: learner autonomy, active participation by students, collaboration and community building, authentic assessment, and acquisition of 21st century skills (Rice, 2012, p. 27).
There are many examples of blended learning models. One type of model is iterations of rotations, where students move between modalities, one of which is online. Another model is the A La Carte model where students take a course entirely online to supplement or replace a brick and mortar school (Powell, 2015, p. 7). In my school, we call this dual-enrollment. Students dual-enroll for many reasons: scheduling conflicts, course availability, challenge of the online courses, and/or credit recovery.
One example of a successful blended learning program can be found in Spokane, Washington at Spokane Public Schools. They have provided a format for students to work at their own pace, whether that student is struggling or that student is ahead. They have also implemented a credit recovery program for students enrolled in the Spokane area high schools and middle schools.
There are many examples of blended learning models. One type of model is iterations of rotations, where students move between modalities, one of which is online. Another model is the A La Carte model where students take a course entirely online to supplement or replace a brick and mortar school (Powell, 2015, p. 7). In my school, we call this dual-enrollment. Students dual-enroll for many reasons: scheduling conflicts, course availability, challenge of the online courses, and/or credit recovery.
One example of a successful blended learning program can be found in Spokane, Washington at Spokane Public Schools. They have provided a format for students to work at their own pace, whether that student is struggling or that student is ahead. They have also implemented a credit recovery program for students enrolled in the Spokane area high schools and middle schools.
As I am researching the blended learning arena, I have to confess that I am a teacher in an online program that has all of these amazing aspects. We have online curriculum for students at the elementary level. As teachers, we meet with students on a weekly basis to encourage project based learning and interaction with their peers. We can support them in their struggles and encourage them in their advancements. In our high school program, we have credit recovery, a blended learning lab at our office for students to access highly qualified teachers, and alternative middle and high schools for students who struggle in a typical brick and mortar school. It is a great place to work, and a front runner in our state to develop an online presence in education.
References
Powell, A., Watson, J., Ogleby, J., Hibbard, L., Fetzer, L., Horn, M., . . . Staley, P. (2015). Blended learning: The evolution of online and face-to-face education from 2008-2015. Retrieved from iNACOL website: http://www.inacol.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/iNACOL_Blended-Learning-The-Evolution-of-Online-And-Face-to-Face-Education-from-2008-2015.pdf
Rice, K. (2012). Making the move to K-12 online teaching: Research-based strategies and practices. Boston, MA: Pearson.
Spokane Virtual Learning - Home Page. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.spokanevirtual.com/index.php
References
Powell, A., Watson, J., Ogleby, J., Hibbard, L., Fetzer, L., Horn, M., . . . Staley, P. (2015). Blended learning: The evolution of online and face-to-face education from 2008-2015. Retrieved from iNACOL website: http://www.inacol.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/iNACOL_Blended-Learning-The-Evolution-of-Online-And-Face-to-Face-Education-from-2008-2015.pdf
Rice, K. (2012). Making the move to K-12 online teaching: Research-based strategies and practices. Boston, MA: Pearson.
Spokane Virtual Learning - Home Page. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.spokanevirtual.com/index.php