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Must Read: What are the Different Blended Learning Models?

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Must Read: What are the Different Blended Learning Models?

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As you adapt your practice to the blended learning model you will encounter new strategies, practices, and terminology. The purpose of this resource is to provide you with information to help you modify your pedagogical practices for a hybrid learning model.

What is Blended Learning?

Blended Learning is an education program that integrates a virtual and face-to-face learning environment for students. In a blended learning environment:

The student has some control over place, path, and pace of learning;

Learning usually occurs through an integrated curriculum;

The learning cycle flows best when unpacked as pre-learning activities that prepare students to engage in both the virtual and face-to-face learning environment;

The next phase of learning is the instructor-led session in which the educator directs student activities to ensure that learning goals are met; and

Post-learning activities in which the educator uses evaluative data to provide appropriate assignments that reinforce and expand learning goals.

Terminology

Accessibility: Equitable access to content to ensure that no student is discriminated against because of their unique needs or abilities.

Cloud storage: An Internet-based computing model that allows you to store, manage, and share files online. Popular cloud storage-based platforms include Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive.

Culturally responsive instruction: A pedagogical practice that integrates students' cultural references into the classroom.

Flipped classroom: A type of blended learning in which direct instruction moves to the asynchronous learning space and the synchronous learning space is transformed into a dynamic, interactive environment.

Learning management system: A platform used to deploy and track online training. Content is uploaded thereby making it accessible for both face to face to and remote learners.

Netiquette: The appropriate online social behavior.

Social emotional learning: The process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

Student response tool: A tool that is used to receive real-time or on the spot, formative feedback on student understanding.

Instead of This, Try This

Instead of i n-person back to school activities, try:

Incorporate virtual activities that create a welcoming climate and build community for students and families.

Consider a virtual scavenger hunt, Match the fact, and other virtual activities to provide students an opportunity to engage with and learn about their peers.

Instead of one-size-fits-all, try:

Consider the learning modality for the course when scheduling and making assignments.

Allow students flexibility in demonstrating their learning.

Incorporate Universal Design for Learning strategies and culturally responsive instruction to ensure access and inclusivity.

Create a space for students to share their preferred pronouns.

Instead of lecture, try:

Flip the classroom or post short recorded lessons for virtual learning.

During synchronous learning time, consider what complex components of the lesson to focus on. For students unable to complete offsite aspects of the learning, build in supports for them to complete them in the face-to-face setting.

Instead of worksheets/independent work, try:

Design units of learning. Unpack the virtual elements and incorporate strategies of support so that students can be successful without in-person guidance.

Incorporate connected learning to improve student engagement and provide social interaction. Include opportunities for Project Based Learning.

Instead of assignment deadlines, try:

Allow for flexibility in assignment deadlines.

Instead of textbooks and printed resources, try:

Guide students and families through your online course materials or Learning Management System (LMS) to ensure that they know how to access resources, communicate with you, and turn in assignments. Ensure that students without devices or connectivity understand the offline procedures for this.

Provide videos and screenshots for students and parents to help navigate the LMS.

Blended Models for Learning

Most blended learning programs resemble one of four models: Rotation, Flipped Classroom, Flex, or Enriched Virtual.

Rotation Model
A course or subject in which students rotate on a fixed schedule or at the teacher's discretion between learning modalities, at least one of which is online learning. Other modalities might include activities such as small-group or full-class instruction, group projects, individual tutoring, and pencil-and-paper assignments. The students learn mostly on the brick-and-mortar campus. The rotation model includes the following four sub-models:

Individual Rotation Students rotate through learning experiences based on an individual schedule set by the teacher. However, students may not rotate through every station as they only complete the assignment/activities that are on their "playlists."

Lab Rotation This model allows for teachers of record to connect the learning environment to other educators within their schools. In this model, learning occurs on a fixed schedule. However, it may occur in a different space such as the computer lab, working with a paraeducator on a virtual session, or in the auditorium with the fine arts department.

Station Rotation This model is based on a fixed schedule where students rotate through learning stations-one of which is an online learning station. This is similar to small group rotations or centers that commonly occur in elementary classrooms.

Flipped Classroom
Many educators are familiar with the flipped model. This model switches the traditional in-class work and homework. Students engage with learning outside of the class, in a virtual environment. This may include lectures and online coursework. Then educators use class time to conduct teacher facilitated practice or projects.

Flex
This model allows students to move along a learning path on a fluid schedule based on their learning needs. This model provides students a great deal of autonomy over their learning as instruction and support from teachers is flexible and on an as-needed basis.

Enriched Virtual
Students are required to attend face-to-face classes, but most of the learning is outside of the traditional classroom. Unlike the flipped classroom, this model does not usually require daily attendance.

Common Pedagogical Practices for Blended Learning

Many pedagogical practices for hyflex and blended learning are similar; however, there are key differences. Where hyflex depends on live instruction, blended relies on both recorded and live instruction. Unlike the hyflex instructional model which relies more heavily on synchronous learning, the more asynchronous nature of the blended learning model does not lend itself to the use of formative assessments and real-time student response tools with regularity.

Accommodate learning styles: The different ways in which students learn best. Understanding the learning styles of individual learners can help educators accommodate different learning styles and enhance student learning experiences.

Collaborative learning: Provides opportunities for peer-to-peer interaction in the process of co-constructing knowledge.

Differentiated instruction: Can enrich and accelerate learning by meeting each student's individual needs. This can be accomplished by using a variety of strategies such as flexible grouping or providing options for how students learn and demonstrate knowledge.

Flipped classroom: Provides opportunities to offer synchronous and asynchronous online learning; Asynchronous time can be spent on building background knowledge, while synchronous learning is focused on engagement, collaboration, and assessment.

Peer-to-peer interaction: Allows for flexiblity in grouping and encourages shared responsibility and teamwork.

Project based learning: Accommodates various student learning styles and provides an authentic assessment of student knowledge and understanding, opportunities for asynchronous individual or collaborative group learning, and an extended period of time to respond to an authentic learning inquiry.

Short recorded lessons: An important tool in online learning. The recorded lessons can be accessed by students unable to join synchronous lessons and provide them with an opportunity to review lessons as needed.

Video communication: An important aspect of online learning that provides students with a sense of connectedness and community through video and audio platforms.

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Rethinking the Classroom for Blended Learning | NEA

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As you adapt your practice to the blended learning model you will encounter new strategies, practices, and terminology. The purpose of this resource is to provide you with information to help you modify your pedagogical practices for a hybrid learning model. Blended Learning is an education program that integrates a virtual and face-to-face learning environment for students.

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Blended Learning Defined and The Benefits of Using It

Customize student workloads, meet diverse learning abilities, and support students at home or in the classroom: these are just a few of the things that a blended learning approach enables you to accomplish. As a teacher, you must effectively address a range of learning styles in a variety of settings and situations. Blended learning can help personalize education for each of the unique students you teach, while making lessons more effective.

If you're like most teachers, your students are already doing some form of blended learning (for example, by using a computer to complete an assignment), so they've already been introduced to the concept of blended learning. Many of your students are probably also familiar with tablets, smartphones, and other forms of technology, which they may be using for non-school purposes. By bringing these tools into an educational setting (whether in the classroom, a hybrid setting, or distance learning) it's possible these students can learn even more effectively.

Blended learning solutions created by Learning A-Z deliver digital and mobile resources that are also printable and projectable, all designed to make differentiated instruction easier than ever.

What Is Blended Learning?

Blended learning is an educational methodology that blends online or digital components with face-to-face instruction. Including technology in education helps set students up for success later in life, because computers and other connected devices are so integral to communication and business today. When students learn in a blended learning setting, they do more than master the subject they're learning; they also master the use of technology.

In-person instruction from a teacher is essential to the blended learning approach. Developing listening skills in addition to visual and kinesthetic skills is important for student development.

What Is the Purpose of Blended Learning?

By making in-person and online learning complementary, blended learning creates a truly integrated classroom where the needs of all types of learners can be met. Keeping students engaged, stimulated, and motivated also helps teachers to be more effective and make greater gains with their students.

Allowing learners of all abilities the opportunity to advance their studies at the rate that works for them, blended learning enables fast learners to advance more quickly, while struggling students can move at their own pace and get customized support where they're stuck. In a traditional classroom learning environment where all students are trained at the same level and speed, gifted students can easily get bored and students who need extra help can be left behind. Because blended learning is scalable, instruction remains effective every step of the way, setting all your students up for success as they acquire the 21st century skills they need to shine.

With digitally delivered resources from Learning A-Z, students can access an enormous library of developmentally appropriate learning materials anywhere they have an internet connection or access to a mobile device. That means students can keep learning on school vacation, on weekends, wherever they are, as much as they want. Caregivers can help their children learn at home, too.

What Are the Different Types of Blended Learning?

You can practice blended learning in an infinite number of ways! The options are endless. You know your students best, so you can customize the content, technology, and instruction methods you use based on what's best for each of your students. You can introduce new methods, try different blended learning styles, and tweak how you're using blended learning to continually make education more effective for your students.

Here are few blended learning tools to start building your toolbox:

Assign online coursework and have students complete and submit their assignments online, all based on your in-person instruction.

Utilize learning management systems that students and teachers can easily access anytime.

Engage students in online instruction, often through video instruction, with flexible face-to-face support in the classroom.

Try station rotation with online learning stations set up in the classroom.

Project-based online learning can culminate in classroom discussions and enhanced activities.

Support computer lab instruction with in-person instruction.

In-class digital learning response systems enable teachers to respond to student work in real time.

Through online coursework completion with video recordings, teachers can effectively evaluate student performance remotely.

Some instructors may guide a classroom of students sitting at computers or using tablets through the assignments they'll complete on their devices. Other blended learning educators may teach a lesson in person, then send an assignment online, which students complete and submit digitally. In some classrooms, teachers upload lectures online for students to watch at home; back in class, students complete exercises based on the lecture, with the teacher's supervision.

As you can see, blended learning takes endless forms and can be customized for any learning method. What you choose to pursue in your own classroom will depend in part on the technology available at your school and the devices your students have access to at home.

Who Benefits From Blended Learning?

Blended learning benefits both students and teachers. Because all students live in a technology-driven world, blended learning can be helpful to every student. Mobile access means teachers can easily schedule assignments, score student submissions, and track student progress through an online teacher management hub, day or night. Blended learning helps teachers stay organized and connect in more meaningful ways with their students. Blended learning is also flexible: blended learning methods can be integrated into almost any classroom.

How Do I Get Started with Blended Learning?

Think about what type of blended learning method you want to use. Blended learning requires complementary online and in-person learning.

Ensure that all your students have the technology they'll need. If students don't have access to computers or mobile devices at home, consider bringing technology into the classroom.

Make sure students know how to use the technology required. Set up sample lessons in the classroom so you can supervise. If you're using blended learning at home, provide guidance.

Test one method first to gauge its effectiveness. As your students have different learning styles, they also have varying levels of experience with technology. Experiment with your methods to see what resonates with your students.

Bring Blended Learning to Your Students

Raz-Plus delivers a personalized blended learning approach to literacy with printable, projectable, and digital leveled books and resources for PreK-5 students and teachers. Learn more about how Raz-Plus supports blended learning or start a complimentary trial with your students today!

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Blended Learning Defined and The Benefits of Using it | Learning A-Z

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Blended Learning Defined and The Benefits of Using It Customize student workloads, meet diverse learning abilities, and support students at home or in the classroom: these are just a few of the things that a blended learning approach enables you to accomplish.

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What is Blended Learning?

Blended learning combines the best of two training environments-traditional face-to-face classroom training and high-tech eLearning. By covering all the bases, you can engage all types of learners-those who learn better in a structured environment that includes face-to-face interaction with an instructor, and independent types who learn better with semi-autonomous, computer-based training.

Your company likely has both millennials who are more used to digital learning, as well as traditional learners - blended learning serves both.

The classroom offers an opportunity for role-playing with immediate face-to-face feedback.

Online learning offers personalized, self-paced learning with eLearning components that lend themselves to interactive media such as games, videos, tutorials, quizzes and social media components, all accessible from the learner's home page in the Learning Management System (LMS)-and accessible from the learner's smartphone or tablet.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of blended learning, blended learning models, best practices, and real-life blended learning examples.

Why Blended Learning?

In the past decade, teachers at higher and lower educational institutions have organically adopted blended learning as a meaningful learning tool in and out of the classroom. Luckily, corporate learning is catching up. The success of blended learning is due to five main benefits:

Blended Learning Models

When you're teaching a diverse group, it's almost impossible to tailor the learning experience to suit every learner-or is it? A blended learning model can help you personalize your subject matter for time considerations, learning techniques and even personal preferences, but implementing a blended learning model it requires big changes to how you think about training.

Take a look at some of these blended learning methods and see if they might work for you:

Face-to-Face: Traditional instructor-led learning sessions supplemented with technology to allow learners to control their own learning pace. Benefits are role-play, mentoring, hands-on practice, and feedback.

Rotation: Students go from one learning activity to another learning activity, either in a structured learning session directed by a teacher, or online in a self-directed manner. Examples include learning stations, labs, and the flipped classroom where learners practice the lesson before attending the face-to-face training.

Flex: Flex learning is a term that can be used interchangeably with personalized learning. By accessing means of integration of learning in a Learning Management System (LMS.), the students control their learning path, choosing what they to learn. The instructor is usually present in a mentoring capacity, to answer questions.

Gamification: One of the most effective ways to motivate learners is by letting them play! By using game play elements such as points or levels, learners feel a little competition and are more motivated to experience the material on their own time.

Online Lab: This blended learning model is entirely digital, with little or no instructor interaction, and takes place either before, during or after a training. Learners can access content on mobile phones (mLearning), laptops or tablets. This modality engages and solidifies learning.

Self-Blend: Self-blended learning is supplemental content-either in the form of webinars, white papers, industry blogs, or video tutorials-that help self-motivated learners delve deeper into a subject. A robust LMS can combine diverse content sources under one system to encourage curiosity and growth.

Online Driver: This blended learning model is entirely self-directed and takes place in a digital environment. Learners can engage with an instructor through chat, email or message board. It provides a flexible schedule and personalized learning, but lacks the face-to-face interaction of other types of blended learning. An LMS is the best way to encourage users to direct their own learning while still monitoring their process as they enjoy media and eventually, engage in classroom discussion. You can choose from existing learning management systems or opt to have an LMS developed specifically for your purposes.

Best Practices for Blended Learning

Blended learning works well for covering a large amount of course material with learners who are independent and engaged. But how can you get learners to take responsibility for their own education? By putting best practices and blended learning strategies to work with the rest of your curriculum, you can make the most of a combined at-home and in-class effort.

1. Explain why you've chosen blended learning as your method for delivery

If your learners don't truly understand the reasoning behind combining both independent and in-class learning, you may lose them from day one. Instead, take the time to explain exactly why you've chosen blended learning as your method for delivery. Perhaps you want to respect how your learners learn at different paces-and respect their time; or you would rather spend class time putting concepts to work and engaging in dialog.

2. Include diverse activities

Try to be everything to everyone: While some learners prefer to learn by reading, others get better results by doing. There is no cookie cutter method of effective learning, but including diverse activities such as group discussions, online quizzes, games and even role playing drives user engagement for all learning types.

You and your learners have the most powerful learning tool of all time readily accessible at your fingertips: the internet.

Why write out a whiteboard question when you could show an engaging video? Take this a step further: ask learners to watch a video on their own time, then be prepared to answer discussion questions in class the next day. Why tell your learners a fact when you can have them research at home and report back in class?

Or, try an online module paired with a quick in-class presentation. When learners are given a chance to apply their new knowledge, they increase retention.

Blended learning is effective because learners aren't just watching or hearing: they're doing. By applying the new knowledge shortly after they've left the physical or virtual classroom, learners retain what they've learned, which is a win-win for all.

Blended Learning Examples in Corporate Learning

Check out these real-life examples of blended learning:

When Ticketmaster noticed that their customer service left a lot to be desired, they switched to a blended learning model that combined self-paced custom eLearning with real-world practice that could be observed and assessed for on-the-spot feedback.

Similarly, computer giant CDW found itself lacking when it came to a unified user experience. They made the switch to a synchronous learning platform to allow both in-office and satellite workers the same blended learning resources and tools. Those e-tools were then combined with hands-on experience where learners could practice their skills and become better employees.

Both companies proved that making the switch to a blended learning method means a more customizable experience, but more importantly, a better way for instructors to assess the effectiveness of the module.

How to Get Started with Blended Learning

Take a step back and consider what your training is providing, and what you want the learner to learn. You probably know this already, having developed instructor-led sessions. Using your experience and the help of the instructors, ask yourself: Where are the problems?

Nearly every trainer will tell you there are aspects of their programs that are difficult-both for them and their learners. Think about dry, factual information such as technical specifications, compliance information, or a complicated series of steps that may require practice to master. This is your crack in the door: what can you take out of the instructor-led sessions and develop as eLearning so learners can learn and practice on their own time-and at their own pace?

Contemporary instructional design approaches have developed some really interesting and engaging ways of making that assessment, making eLearning and instructor-led content excellent complements to each other.

Moving some course content to eLearning also benefits the instructor-led sessions, allowing instructors to concentrate more on the application of knowledge or on more complicated tasks. The eLearning can provide the "what" while the instructor-led content can focus on the "how."

We suggest that you use a system that can track both offline and online training interventions, such as a learning management system that incorporates Tin Can (Experience) API. You can set up such a system to take reports from instructor-led and online learning events equally, and develop a "report card" for each employee to track their learning interventions.

You're ready to start implementing your own blended learning program! Your learners will thank you for offering learning that works best for them. Need help developing your blended learning? Tell us about your project here!

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What is Blended Learning? Examples & More | ELM Learning

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Blended learning combines the best of two training environments-traditional face-to-face classroom training and high-tech eLearning. By covering all the bases, you can engage all types of learners-those who learn better in a structured environment that includes face-to-face interaction with an instructor, and independent types who learn better with semi-autonomous, computer-based training.

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Blended Learning Models and Choosing The Best One

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Dr. Catlin Tucker is available for in-person and virtual speaking engagements. She offers a variety of professional learning opportunities to help educators universally design blended learning experiences and transition to sustainable student-centered workflows.

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Dr. Catlin Tucker - Transform Your Classroom with Blended Learning

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Dr. Catlin Tucker is a leading Blended Learning expert who has helped teachers all over the world to personalize instruction and shift to sustainable student-centered workflows.

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What's the difference between Blended Learning and Flipped Classrooms?

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What's the difference between Blended Learning and Flipped Classrooms?

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Russell Stannard (Teacher Training Videos)

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Flipped and Blended Classroom: Similarities and Differences #flippedlearning #blendedlearning