Blended Learning

There's a lot of talk about Blended Learning, but what does it really mean? Fortunately, Khan Academy has a great series on the subject :)

https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/ssf-cci/sscc-intro-blended-learning

For me, one point they make which I really like is that it's NOT just bringing technology into the classroom. It's actually integrating the technology along with learning spaces and learning professionals to fundamentally shift the educational methodology. Neither online education nor traditional school-building education, but something that blends the best aspects of both.

In addition to that core concept, what makes good blended learning goes farther still. Here are the core points laid out by the Silicon Schools Fund and the Clayton Christensen Institute as to what makes good blended learning...

1) Personalized: Students are not each receiving the same cookie-cutter package. Their learning path is tailored to meet their particular needs, including filling gaps, capitalizing on strengths, and giving extra focus to weak areas.

2) Mastery-Based: Students only proceed and earn credits once they've demonstrated mastery of the core concept, regardless of how long it takes. If they can show they know it, they can move straight on without having to sit through a prescribed number of hours of class. At the same time, they don't go on until they can show mastery.

3) High Expectations: Yadda yadda, every school and method touts their high expectations for students. Not that it's not important, it is deeply important. That's why everybody waves this banner. But it doesn't set anybody apart as a result.

4) This one's a big one, in my book. Student Ownership: This means students take agency over their own learning path. They make meaningful choices both about what to pursue and about how and when to pursue their learning. I think a large part of the lack of motivation we see in many students, at many schools, comes from a lack of ownership over their own learning. If we can authentically give students meaningful agency over their learning process, I think it could be a game-changer.

I'm wrapping up my first year as a full-time teacher. There's SO much to write about, but I haven't had the time or mental space for most of this year. Maybe over the summer, as I have a chance to reflect, I'll update this blog more frequently.