What Is Blended Learning?
Blended learning is a formal educational program utilized by school entities that is comprised of face-to-face instruction and online learning modalities of instruction. As a fundamental shift in instructional delivery is needed, blended learning moves beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to a more customized learning model for students in today’s classrooms. With the replacement of direct, face-to-face “seat time” of student learning with an online component of instruction, school entities are able to use technological resources to engage students in educational concepts and competencies that address their individual and unique learning paths through a blended approach. By shifting and creating focus on student control over time, place, path, and/or pace of learning, this program has the potential to unlock gains in relevant and comprehensive student learning and achievement.
Shifting Focus
Time – Time in the school system has traditionally been defined as minute allotment of instructional delivery within a specific content area. Time was designated within the constraints of the instructional day where every moment of the class period was devoted to core content. By shifting to blended learning, school entities can redefine the concept of time to process of learning within or outside of the four walls of instruction. Depending on the specific model used in blended learning, students can control the time of day that they engage in learning either in a synchronous or asynchronous manner.
Place – The traditional place of learning has been in the brick and mortar location away from home. Compulsory education placed demands that students of school-age attend a formal program of education that adhered to state laws. The blended learning shift has created more location options for students to learn through a combination of face-to-face and online instruction. Learning may be facilitated at the neighborhood school, at home, or through a combination of school and home.
Path – Traditionally, the path of learning has been determined by the school entity within the confines of standards, concepts, competencies, and assessments. All students received the same path of instructional delivery regardless of individual needs. With the prevalent use of common formative and summative assessments, educators have been more readily able to identify strengths and deficiencies in learning and achievement. In making the shift to blended learning, school entities are able to provide individual learning paths for all students that can provide enrichment or remediation based on individual performance.
Pace – In the tradition of the education system, the pace of learning has been regimented on what the average student should be able to learn and demonstrate. There has been little or no deviation from this point of reference for instruction. Students learned a set of knowledge and skills at the same pace whether they could work through material ahead of schedule or needed additional time for understanding. Blended learning shifts instructional delivery by allowing students to work at their own pace regardless of performance of others. Students have more opportunities to modify their learning experience through acceleration, remaining on target, or through remediation in one or more areas of content.
Dr. Paula Westerman is founder and chief executive officer of DevelApped, West Educator Applications, LLC, a Pennsylvania-based firm that addresses the professional development needs of educators through a unique platform using disruption innovation. Having served in Pennsylvania public schools for over 25 years, Dr. Westerman brings her extensive educational experience as a central office administrator, secondary and elementary building administrator, and elementary teacher to provide consulting services for educators on current and relevant initiatives that will help school entities transform their programs to improve student learning and achievement.
