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A new infographic, released by DreamBox Learning, "Blended Learning: 10 Trends," gives a snapshot on how right now, making student learning is more personalized, more engaging, and more collaborative is what's driving innovation. DreamBox Learning is a Getting Smart Advocacy Partner. This infographic complements the white paper, " Blended Learning Innovations: 10 Major Trends" released March 20.

EDUCAUSE Review Online Developed in response to the crisis in remedial and general-education math courses, this innovative model pairs an existing parent course with a one-unit supplemental hybrid course to provide a variety of interventions and practices to support students at California State University, Northridge. The model divides instruction among faculty, teaching assistants, and tutors, who coordinate content to create a "flow of learning" that actively moves students from classroom work, to group work, to homework, to exams. First fully implemented in 2008, the model's results have been dramatic - essentially reversing the downward trend in student success and vastly improving students' average scores and the distribution of the grades.

The results of questionnaire responses and document analysis from eight Canadian universities form the basis for this 2011 report on the state of blended learning in Canadian higher education.

An older article, but still gets you thinking about your discussion boards.

A good simple approach. A three staged process for blended learning design: Absorb - Do - Connect

"The process model consists of three stages: Absorb-During this stage, students are gaining basic knowledge. This can include reading a chapter in the textbook. Do-Students then engage in an activity such as a discussion before the face-to-face session (in the case of a blended course) or a synchronous online session in the case of a totally online course. Connect-Students apply knowledge to real-world situations."

I've helped faculty implement this model in online courses and think it has been very successful. While a model like ADDIE provides a structured approach to designing an entire course, this Absorb, Do, Connect model, along with models like Gagne's 9 events of instruction provide us with models for how to structure individual lessons and keep them consistent.

An article on the benefits of Blended Learning from teachthought.com It lists 4 main benefits: 1. Enhanced Communication Skills 2. Increased Digital Fluency 3. Expanded Networking 4. Strengthened Professionalism