Why Blended Learning?Blended Learning benefits students by enhancing student learning experiences through the use of both face-to-face and online learning activities (Poon, 2013). The best teaching pedagogies of both face-to-face and online learning instructional deliveries complement each other in a Blended Learning approach. Since, each student learns in their preferred and unique way, districts should use a blend of learning strategies to find the right content and learning style for each student. Blended Learning mixes various learning tools so differentiation and personalization for each student is possible (Singh, 2003). In addition, Blended Learning shifts the learning from teacher led to student led activities by providing more hands-on experiences and time for creativity. The new Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-Tess), which provides administrators and teachers a framework for providing teachers constructive feedback and guidance for growth, encourages teachers to include more student centered learning activities during instruction.
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What Ingredients Make a Perfect Blend?
A balanced blend of the best instructional pedagogies in a face-to-face environment with the best instructional pedagogies in an online learning environment provide the ingredients for a successful Blended Learning course. When Blended Learning is implemented effectively, learning outcomes improve and staff and student opinions about teaching and learning in a Blended Learning approach are positive (Yapici, & Akbayin, 2012).
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(Eryilmaz, 2015)
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Blended Learning shifts instructional pedagogy from teacher led to student led activitiesBlended Learning environments allow for flexibility by extending the physical classroom that meets at a fixed time to remote audiences who could not otherwise attend (Singh, 2003). Technology provides the online collaborative environments where students can interact and share their thinking. The online classroom increases student to teacher and student to student collaboration and student control of when learning takes place (Poon, 2013).
Blended Learning transforms the traditional classroom into one that promotes hands-on experiences and creativity Khan Academy is a free online website which hosts videos on various elementary and secondary topics. The website gives students access to videos explaining subject concepts using demonstrations and by providing relevant examples students can easily grasp (Chatterjee & Kothari, 2014). In the video, Salman Khan explains how "flipping" instruction can provide more quality learning during the face-to-face instructional time.
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Blended Learning provides personalized learning and individualized student interventionsIn a Blended Learning approach, teachers are able to create engaging lessons with technology that places students in the center of their own learning. This model motivates students to take ownership of their own learning while allowing teachers to quickly identify when students are struggling in their learning. Being able to quickly identify gaps in student learning is critical, so teachers can differentiate the instruction to ensure student success (Toshalis & Nakkula, 2012).
Kevin Corbett provides a brief introduction to the concept of Blended Learning, and how it can be used to increase learningKevin Corbett explains that Blended Learning is a powerful concept when the expertise of a teacher is combined with the affordances technology can provide in the classroom. There is no magic recipe for implementing Blended Learning; instead, the teacher should look at the objectives, learner demographics, access to resources, and the desired learning outcomes to determine what blend of activities would be appropriate for the subject content.
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Blended Learning can improve student success through the use of disruptive innovationsUsing disruptive technologies interfere with the traditional way students have learned in the classroom. These innovations transform learning by making access to information simplistic, convenient, and affordable for students. These transformations initially hinder the learning environment; however, studies indicate disruptive technologies like Blended Learning can improve student success (Boyle, Bradley, Chalk, Jones, & Pickard, 2003).
Click the image below for more detailed information concerning the Models of Blended Learning and how each type looks in the classroomThe benefits of implementing a Blended Model include: Effective use of class time, flexible class scheduling, course materials are available 24 hours a day, students can participate at any time and can collaborate on their own time, the quality of communications between the teacher and student increases, and the instructors redundant tasks are decreased.
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District Blended Learning Implementation Checklist
(Graham, Woodfield, & Harrison, 2013)
(Graham, Woodfield, & Harrison, 2013)
1. Who oversees the blended learning program?
2. What technological or pedagogical support is available for teachers who have decided to teach in a blended Learning format?
3. Has the district held any training for teachers regarding how to adopt Blended Learning in their pedagogy?
4. What support is needed for students enrolled in Blended Learning courses?
5. What support is available for students in a Blended Learning course?
2. What technological or pedagogical support is available for teachers who have decided to teach in a blended Learning format?
3. Has the district held any training for teachers regarding how to adopt Blended Learning in their pedagogy?
4. What support is needed for students enrolled in Blended Learning courses?
5. What support is available for students in a Blended Learning course?