Group items tagged

Interesting conversation with the CEO of Rocketship, a blended-learning-focused charter school organization. "We should all focus on personalized learning and obsessing daily with how we ensure our students are spending large chunks of their day (80%+) in their optimal zone of learning-meaning exactly at their level. I would bet that students in countries that lead the world in achievement spend maybe 25-40% of their time in these optimal zones. Technology is an incredible tool in this work as there are online programs that immediately allow a student to access content in their optimal zone. Again-technology is not the complete answer, but it is definitely part of the solution."

Articles on various topics including one on EcoMUVE and a lead article on designing school buildings for blended learning, among others.

This article describes some current challenges and solutions involved in using a blended learning model of instruction in classrooms.

Designing a blended learning classroom/school "More significant than the shift from print to digital will be the shift from cohort matriculation to individual progress. Personalized digital learning will increasingly enable competency-based progress-advancement based on demonstrated mastery."

Interesting thoughts of the cultural shift in schools required for blended technology

An article on strategies for developing the right environment for blended learning.

State of technology to use in Disruptive innovation

A helpful graphic.

moving towards new models in higher education

Will online research tools contribute to the demise of the academic library? This article suggests we are using a blended approach to research. Curious to hear how many of us use Gutman's resources beyond a study space.

In the homework vs. no-homework debate, options like flipped classroom or blended learning are not even given a chance. How might technology help solve the educational problems in France?

Article discusses remaining barriers to broadband access in schools and its effect on blended learning environments.

A California superintendent of schools writing a letter advocating the use of blended learning to help close her county's achievement gap. Interesting reader comments from folks about how back in their day, people did just fine without technology....

Similar to readings for this week, but slightly more comprehensive in the scope of the blended learning discussion.

Not surprising that the cradle of innovation in this country is backing up the truck to support the "innovative" blended learning model.

Similar to MIT's Scratch, Globaloria positions itself as helping students develop STEM knowledge, digital literacy skills, and college readiness through game design. The program markets itself as a blended learning model.

The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation just released their first in a series of case studies about what blended learning can "look like." The cases will break out the schools' instructional, operational, and financial models, which I find very helpful. This first case profiles a K-1 KIPP school in Los Angeles using computer-based stations to make a rotational small-group differentiated instruction model feasible with a smaller budget for instructional staff. As the authors state, "online programs enable [KIPP] Empower's model but do not integrate with teacher-led instruction" (11).

This article discusses successful blended curriculum. Interestingly, the article directs notice to the fact that the success is a cause of factors beyond just technology. One such factor is flex scheduling.

There was a great forum on the future of technology in the classroom at the MIT Media Lab today. For those who couldn't make it, the video should be posted on this site soon and will also air on NBC on Sunday, September 23. I found it to be a nice blend of policy and practice-focused discussion, and despite weak moderation, I think it's worth the time to watch!