Blended to the Future

Integrating Technology in Curriculum

Megan Caudill, Dave Genari, Katie Stuckwisch, Austin

History
For the longest time there was only 2
pieces of technology: The Textbook, and
the chalkboard
Blended Learning gained its popularity
in 2008.
It is also called Personalized Learning or
Hybrid Learning.
Online learning became more friendly
and individualized.

Styles of Blended Learning

A La Carte/
Self Blend
Model
IndividualStudent
controlled rotation
Some courses are online
Online courses are completely online but
offered by a school

Flex Model
Online Learning Dominates
Individually Customized, Fluid Schedule
Primarily Online, Teachers Present for
Support
Enriched Virtual Model
Required face to face meetings
Whole school approach off-site

Schools
Rotation Model- New Yorks Randolph Central School District
We use blended learning for all students in several grades...decades of mediocrity provided the control group data. Our program
has increased our test scores and improved the ranking of our elementary school among schools in western New York. The
changes and improvements would not have been possible without implementing blended learning.
Kimberly Moritz, Superintendent, Randolph Central School District

Station Rotation Model- Pennsylvanias Spring City Elementary Hybrid Learning School
The engagement of the student with the teacher is still the most important thing that we can provide to them instructionally.
Dr. Keith Floyd, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Spring-Ford Area School District

Individual Rotation Model- Michigans Nolans Elementary-Middle School

Schools
Flex Model- Utahs Salt Lake City School District
Students had told us that they are leaving school because they are bored. Why are they bored? Because they are not engaged.
The typical classroom and school is not what they want. We asked them what interests them, and they told us that they want
more control, more flexibility, more access to teachers. So we created a school to give them these things. We dont have bells
because theres no need for them. Scheduling bells are a system to tell students where to be. Our students decide for themselves
where they need to be.
Kenneth Grover, Principal, Innovations Early College High School

A La Carte/ Self Blend Model- Washingtons Spokanes Public Schools

Enriched Virtual Model- Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Connections Academy

Benefits
Personalized Learning
Makes online learning more friendly more friendly and is geared toward the
individual

Allows smaller schools to offer more courses

Types of Technology
Personal computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones
Smartboards, interactive whiteboard, classroom management
systems
Computer programs
Math examples: Fathom, Geogebra, GSP

Online classes/ distance learning

Inclusion
Allows those who are unable to attend the traditional, physical school a
chance at learning
Allows for those who have disabilities access to assistive technologies
and apps

Money
Mostly cuts down on faculty and
admin costs
Cheaper than traditional
models, and is not hard to
break even on more
expensive blended models
Puts more of a cost on
technology

Chart taken from Creating Sound Policy for Digital Learning,

Assessment
It is extremely helpful to those who can afford the technology and have
educators capable for properly using the technology, but it does pose
an issue for those on the lower end of the social-economic scale. It can
end up widening the gape between the rich and the poor, and could
cause social mobility to come to a grinding halt.
If a school can afford to integrate blended learning into their curriculum,
it would be advisable for them to do so due to the Increased flexibility
and personalization of students learning experiences, as well as the
personal development it offers.

Training
Courses that involve teaching using technology are appear at the
college level for future teachers.
Peer aid
Have technology integration specialist available to assist teachers
with technological issues as well as teaching teacher how to use
technology.
Can be used to teach the students and the teachers at the same time

Teaching conventions
Many pieces of technology have online support as well as
independent online instructional videos.

Policy
Have the learning be student centered
Make sure that all use of technology is ethical
Have all educators using technology understand how that technology
works
Promote online dialogue
Allow students access to instruction of the technology and make sure
that students have access to the technology itself
Evaluate all technology that is available
Blended learning done outside of the classroom has to be relevant to

Balance
Too much online interaction results in a lack of face to face time.
Results in stunted social growth
Can make students feel disconnected

Multicultural
Allows access to more resources that may not be available through
traditional schooling methods.
Can expose students to materials not deemed appropriate by the textbooks
(example of this is how most history textbooks tend to ignore the Native American
genocide)
Sites like gapminder can allow fun and exciting ways to look over data regarding
wolrd issues

Allows discussions to happen 24/7 through online forums, so that

Sources
Blended Learning: Where Online and Face-to-Face Instruction Intersect for 21st Century Teaching and Learning.
NEA: Blended Learning
4 Opportunities in Blended Special Education
Blended Learning: The Evolution of Online and Face-to-Face Education from 2008-2015 (Links to an external site.)
History of Distance Learning (Links to an external site.)
History of Distance Education (Links to an external site.)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelhorn/2011/01/27/the-rise-of-k-12-blended-learning/ (Links to an external site.)