The Basics of Blended Learning

Summary

In this video, Michael Thompson from Education Elements explores the fundamentals of Blended Learning, a teaching approach that combines traditional classroom methods with digital technology. Thompson discusses various models such as lab rotation, class rotation, flex, and pod, emphasizing how these models enhance student engagement, enable personalized learning, and improve teacher effectiveness. He highlights the benefits of Blended Learning, including increased student control over their learning pace, real-time feedback, and more efficient classroom management, showcasing its potential to transform educational experiences.

Takeaways

• 🏫 Blended learning is a teaching approach that combines traditional classroom methods with technology-based learning.
• 💡 It aims to differentiate and individualize instruction, moving beyond lecture-style teaching to more interactive and personalized learning.
• 👨‍🏫 The teacher's role in blended learning shifts from delivering content to facilitating depth and application of concepts, focusing on higher-order thinking skills.
• 💻 Digital content is leveraged to provide students with skills and practice, allowing for individualized self-paced learning.
• 📊 Data from digital learning labs informs classroom instruction, enabling teachers to provide targeted support based on student performance.
• 🔄 There are four main blended learning models: lab rotation, class rotation, flex, and pod, each with a different approach to integrating technology into the classroom.
• 📈 Students in blended learning environments show increased engagement, real-time feedback, and control over their learning pace.
• 🚀 Blended learning can lead to students accelerating past grade-level skills, enhancing their learning velocity.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Despite larger class sizes, students feel more connected and supported due to the personalized nature of instruction.
• 👩‍🏫 Teachers find planning for small group instruction easier and more rewarding in a blended learning environment, leading to improved classroom management.

Q & A

What is the primary product of Education Elements mentioned in the video?

The primary product of Education Elements is the HLMS, which stands for Higher Learning Management System. It is discussed in more detail in other videos by the same director.

What is the definition of Blended Learning as per the video?

Blended Learning is defined as an educational approach that falls between the traditional classroom environment and a student learning on a computer at home. It leverages digital content to provide individualized instruction while allowing teachers to focus on the depth and application of concepts.

How does Blended Learning aim to differentiate and individualize instruction?

Blended Learning uses technology to provide individualized self-paced instruction to students, while teachers can offer differentiated small group instruction based on data, leading to a more personalized and effective learning experience.

What are the four Blended Learning models discussed in the video?

The four Blended Learning models discussed are Lab Rotation, Class Rotation, Flex, and Pod.

How does the Lab Rotation model work in Blended Learning?

In the Lab Rotation model, students move in and out of a classroom to a computer lab where the data from the learning lab informs the instruction in the classroom.

What is the Class Rotation model in the context of Blended Learning?

The Class Rotation model involves breaking a class into smaller groups that rotate between different stations, including one with the teacher and two with computers, allowing for more personalized instruction.

Can you describe the Flex model in Blended Learning?

In the Flex model, students primarily work on computers in a large lab setting, and teachers may pull out groups for seminar, intervention, or direct instruction.

What is the Pod model in Blended Learning?

The Pod model is a school-within-a-school concept where each pod might have multiple grade levels and the teacher's role may be redefined into discrete roles like an advisor, behavior specialist, or instructor.

How do students benefit from Blended Learning according to the video?

Students benefit from increased engagement with online content, real-time feedback, control over their learning pace, and the ability to accelerate past their grade-level skills.

What are the advantages for teachers in a Blended Learning environment?

Teachers find it easier to plan for small group instruction, find teaching in small groups more rewarding, and experience easier classroom management with students fully engaged on computers.

What is the term used in the video to describe the acceleration of student learning beyond their grade level?

The term used to describe the acceleration of student learning beyond their grade level is 'unleashing their learning velocity'.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Blended Learning

Michael Thompson, Director of School Partnerships at Education Elements, introduces the concept of Blended Learning. He explains that it sits between traditional classroom learning and individual computer-based learning at home. The goal of Blended Learning is to individualize instruction in the classroom by leveraging digital content for skill practice, allowing teachers to focus on the depth and application of concepts. Thompson outlines the potential benefits of Blended Learning, such as individualized self-paced instruction, differentiated small group instruction based on data, and cost-effective operation for schools. He also briefly mentions four emerging Blended Learning models: lab rotation, class rotation, flex, and pod.

05:00

👨‍🏫 Impact of Blended Learning on Teachers and Students

The second paragraph delves into the impact of Blended Learning on both teachers and students. Students are reported to be more engaged with online content compared to traditional paper and pencil methods, appreciating real-time feedback and the control over their learning pace. This leads to an acceleration in skill acquisition beyond their grade level, termed as 'unleashing learning velocity.' Teachers find planning for small group instruction more manageable, and they experience greater rewards from teaching in small groups due to increased student engagement. Additionally, classroom management becomes easier with students actively engaged on computers. The video concludes with Thompson expressing excitement about the opportunities Blended Learning presents and encourages viewers to consider its application in their own educational contexts.

Keywords

💡Blended Learning

Blended Learning refers to an educational approach that combines traditional classroom-based teaching with online digital content. In the video, it is described as a middle ground between a fully traditional classroom and a student learning solely on a computer at home. It is about leveraging technology to individualize and differentiate instruction, allowing for a more engaging and effective learning experience. The video emphasizes that Blended Learning can lead to higher student engagement and better educational outcomes by providing targeted instruction and real-time feedback.

💡Differentiation

Differentiation in education means tailoring instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners. The video explains that traditional lecture-style instruction does not engage students effectively, and differentiation is necessary for a deeper understanding of concepts. Blended Learning uses technology to provide individualized instruction, allowing teachers to focus on depth and application of concepts, thus teaching higher-order thinking skills.

💡Instructional Models

Instructional models are frameworks or strategies for organizing and delivering educational content. The video discusses how Blended Learning involves designing instructional models that effectively use technology. These models include lab rotation, class rotation, flex, and pod models, each with a different approach to integrating technology into the learning process to enhance student engagement and teacher effectiveness.

💡Lab Rotation

Lab Rotation is one of the Blended Learning models mentioned in the video. It involves students moving between a traditional classroom and a computer lab. The video highlights that the key difference from a traditional computer lab is the use of data from the digital content to inform classroom instruction, allowing for more personalized and effective teaching.

💡Class Rotation

Class Rotation is another Blended Learning model where students are divided into smaller groups that rotate between different stations, including time with the teacher and time on computers. This model allows teachers to manage behavior and maintain class culture while providing more personalized instruction based on the needs of smaller groups.

💡Flex Model

The Flex Model is described as a more technology-intensive approach where students primarily work on computers, and teachers pull out groups for seminar, intervention, or direct instruction. This model creates a learning environment that resembles a large call center, with students working mostly independently and teachers providing targeted support as needed.

💡Pod Concept

The Pod Concept is a newer Blended Learning model where a 'school within a school' is created, and each pod may contain multiple grade levels. In this model, the role of the teacher is redefined, with specialists such as advisors, behavior specialists, or instructors supporting each pod. This approach rethinks the traditional school structure to give students more control over their learning.

💡Learning Velocity

Learning Velocity, as mentioned in the video, refers to the rate at which students acquire and master new skills. The video suggests that with Blended Learning, students can accelerate past the skills for their grade level, indicating a faster pace of learning. This is attributed to the individualized and self-paced nature of digital instruction, which allows students to progress at their own rate.

💡Classroom Management

Classroom Management in the context of the video refers to the strategies and practices teachers use to create a conducive learning environment. The video indicates that with Blended Learning, classroom management becomes easier as students are fully engaged with the computers, leading to fewer behavioral issues and a more focused learning atmosphere.

💡Technology Integration

Technology Integration is the process of incorporating digital tools and resources into the learning process. The video emphasizes that Blended Learning is about effectively leveraging technology to provide students with skills and practice, while teachers focus on the depth and application of concepts. This integration is key to differentiating instruction and enhancing student engagement.

Highlights

Blended learning is a middle ground between traditional classroom instruction and student learning on a computer at home.

Blended learning aims to differentiate and individualize instruction in the classroom.

Technology is essential for scaling differentiation and feedback in education.

Blended learning leverages digital content to provide skills and practice while teachers focus on depth and application.

The goal is to create an environment with individualized self-paced instruction, differentiated group instruction, and lower operational costs.

Lab rotation is a model where students move in and out of a classroom to a computer lab, informed by data from the learning lab.

Class rotation involves breaking a class into smaller groups that rotate between teacher-led, computer, and guided practice stations.

In the flex model, students primarily work on computers with occasional group seminars or interventions by the teacher.

The Pod model is a school-within-a-school approach with multiple grade levels and redefined teacher roles.

Blended learning models rethink traditional schooling to give students more control over their learning.

Students are more engaged with online content and appreciate real-time feedback in blended learning environments.

Students can accelerate past their grade level skills, unleashing their learning velocity.

Despite larger class sizes, students feel classes are small due to personalized teacher interactions.

Teachers find planning for small group instruction easier and more rewarding in a blended learning setup.

Classroom management is easier with students fully engaged on computers rather than on pencil and paper tasks.

Blended learning brings potential opportunities for improving educational experiences.

Transcripts

[Music]

fundamentals of Blended learning my name

is Michael Thompson and I'm the director

of school Partnerships at education

elements we work with schools across the

country to help them think about Blended

learning and to design instructional

models which use technology effectively

our primary product is the hlms which I

will discuss in more detail in some of

our other

videos in this video I want to share the

fundamentals of Blended learning I'll

explain what is meant when someone uses

the term Blended learning describe some

of the Blended learning models and

discuss the results we are

getting what is Blended learning if you

think about the traditional classroom

environment on one end of the spectrum

and on the other end of the spectrum is

a student learning on a computer at home

Blended learning is somewhere in the

middle now let's ask ourselves how do we

differentiate and individualize

instruction in the classroom frankly

students are not engaged in lecture

style instruction we know that small

group instruction personal learning

plans guided practice and inquiry Based

Teaching all lead toward a better and

deeper understanding of Concepts

unfortunately differentiation and

feedback doesn't scale without

technology so Blended learning is about

leveraging digital content to provide

students with skills and practice

meanwhile the teacher focuses on depth

and application of Concepts to teach

higher order thinking

skills so what if we can create an

environment where one students can get

individualized self-paced instruction

two teachers can provide differentiated

small group instruction based upon

weekly or daily data and three

schools can operate at a much lower cost

per pupil which will allow them to

reallocate resources this environment is

Blended

learning what are some of the Blended

learning models let's go back to the

spectrum of learning environments as we

see it now there are four models

emerging lab rotation class rotation

flex and pod I'm going to go over each

of these now

lab rotation is where students move in

and out of a classroom to a computer lab

many people seeing this model will think

it looks very familiar to a traditional

computer lab however if you look under

the hood the difference is that in a lab

rotation the data from the content in

the learning lab informs the instruction

in the classroom in a class rotation

model students are broken out into

smaller groups so a class of 30 may be

broken out into four small groups every

20 minutes the groups May rotate between

stations one station is with the

teacher two stations are with the

computer and the fourth station may be

guided practice in this environment a

teacher has the ability to monitor the

whole class manage behavior and maintain

the class culture in the flex model the

learning lab might look like a large

call center with banks of computers

around the edges of the lab might be

smaller breakout rooms for classes in

this model the students work mostly on

the computers and a teacher might pull

out a group of students for seminar

intervention or direct

instruction one of the newer models is

the Pod concept essentially it's a

school within a school and each pod

might have multiple grade levels in this

model the role of the teacher may be

redefined and broken out into discret

roles and AD ADV visor a behavior

Specialist or an instructor to support

each pod all of these models are

rethinking the Traditional School giving

students more control over their

learning and providing students with

targeted

instruction what are some of the results

from a student perspective students are

more engaged using online content versus

paper and pencil practice

worksheets they like getting realtime

feedback and knowing where they stand at

any

time students can control how fast or

slow they need to go through a lesson in

these schools we see students

accelerating past the skills for their

grade level and this is what we call

unleashing their learning

velocity also even though the class

sizes may be larger students feel that

their classes are actually pretty small

because the experience they have with

the teacher is in a small group now from

a teacher perspective the teachers we've

spoken to find it easier to plan for

small group instruction versus trying to

teach to the middle and differentiating

top and

bottom teachers find teaching in small

groups more rewarding because the

students are more engaged and finally

teachers are surprised by how much

easier classroom management is with

students fully engaged on the computers

versus when students are doing things on

pencil and paper thank you for watching

our video on Blended learning we are

excited by the potential opportunities

Blended learning brings and I hope you

found it useful as you think about your

own

[Music]

School