Blended Learning: Innovation in Education
Author: Rick Phelan
Published: 04.03.13
We are in the midst of change and turbulence as we think about the future of education. Traditional models of “face-to-face” teaching in brick-and-mortar classrooms may not provide sufficient learning opportunity and time to meet individual needs. Blended learning, a combination of face-to-face class time and online resource access, is growing by leaps and bounds across the world.
Educators are choosing to “blend learning” because it helps serve student needs. Blending involves various combinations of face-to-face time with online activities. Michael Horn and Heather Staker documented these combinations in a May 2012 white paper, Classifying K-12 Blended Learning (pdf). Themes behind the models include: personalization, 24/7 access, and more effective use of face-to-face time between students and teachers.
Examples of blended learning in Sonoma County move across grades and districts. Some examples:
- Penngrove Elementary School: First-grade teacher Wendy Funk uses Lexia Learning to help supplement her reading program. The Lexia program aids Ms. Funk by tracking student progress and offering individualized learning activities in phonological awareness, structural analysis, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Ms. Funk uses the program at school and encourages parents to use the program at home with their children, thereby extending the school day through blended learning.
- Maria Carrillo High School: Anatomy teacher Robert Grove has constructed his course in the Moodle learning management system. Students use online video resources to preview concepts that will be discussed in the next face-to-face class. They can review ideas and see procedures they’ve gone through in class or at home whenever they wish. Blended learning extends and enhances science for students in Mr. Grove’s classes.
- San Antonio High School: San Antonio is an alternative high school in Petaluma that aims to help students obtain credits for graduation and/or assist in their return to Petaluma’s comprehensive high schools. Dennis Herrington and Tiena Griffith teach classes using Odysseyware online content. With the online content, one class can have students working in as many as 10 different course areas at different points of need. Mr. Herrington and Ms. Griffith are able to offer a range of options to their students for credit recovery, remediation, and acceleration. Students may also choose to work on lessons outside of school. Lyn Moreno, the school principal, believes that 90% of the students who take these blended learning classes are finding success.
- Orchard View Charter School: Orchard View is an independent study charter school in Sebastopol. Supervising teachers work with students and parents to design individualized lesson plans that offer flexibility in the implementation of the student's educational goals and objectives. Students work at home and outside of school much of the time. Student work products are monitored as opposed to “seat time.” Online materials from Odysseyware, Florida Virtual Academy, and Moodle are offered to support and guide learning. Students meet regularly with credentialed supervising teachers who monitor their academic progress. Blended learning makes a real difference in the way Orchard View is able to deliver instruction and support students.
There are a variety of electronic tools to support blended learning. Some of these include: Google sites, Hippocampus, Khan Academy, Weebly, Edmoto and Collaborize Classroom. An annotated list of these resources and others is available on the eTools for the Classroom page of the SCOE website.
Are you interested in learning more about blended learning? Consider registering for Introduction to Blended Learning at SCOE on April 24 from 4:00 to 7:00pm. Local blended learning teachers Laura Bradley and Chuck Wade will be present to offer their guidance and ideas. Resources and support for adding blended learning to your school program aren’t that far away.
Blog: Technology for Learners
