Blended Learning a Solution to The Perfect Storm

Educational systems across the nation are in the midst of the perfect storm

• massive funding shortfalls,  
• the impending shortage of qualified teachers, 
• and a growing gap between what education in today's current structure provides and the needs of the corporate world. 

Rather than a doomsday situation, this could be viewed as an unprecedented opportunity to use modern technology and blended learning to revolutionize and transform the entire educational structure.  It is an opportunity to completely restructure and greatly improve education in a way an truly:

• improve and individualize instruction,
• save money,
• and do so with fewer highly qualified teachers. 

What is Blended Learning

Blended learning is the umbrella term used to describe various models of flipped and hybrid classrooms.  According to the Innosight Institute "blended learning is a formal education program in which a student learns, at least in part, through online delivery of content and instruction with some element of student control over time, place, path and/or pace and at least in part at a supervised brick-and mortar location away from home."(4)  

A blended classroom model has several common features:

1. The course has parts offered both online and in a brick and mortar classroom.
2. Learning can occur at any time more conducive to the student's needs.
3. Students control the pace, at least in part, at which they learn.
4. Learning is a-synchronistic giving authentic learning and assessment opportunities that best meet the students individual needs.  In other words, students are able to choose/create various ways to learn the content and to demonstrate their understanding of the content.  

Advantages of Blended Learning

A blended classroom offers numerous advantages to students, teachers, and districts simply by embracing an out of the box way of leveraging and using current technologies and resources. 

Student-centric Learning

1. Anytime learning, materials are available 24/7 so students can learn at a time that is more conducive to their learning style.
2. Students learn at their own pace - for instance in a flipped classroom, students can continuously review materials, for instance rewinding and reviewing videos until they get the concept - and if they are still struggling have small group instruction with the teacher during class time.  
3. Anywhere learning students can learn at a place that best fits their needs.
4. Blended learning allows for asynchronistic learning, students do not have to learn the same materials at the same time  in the same way as everyone else in the class - a true demassification of education.  
5. Courses not available within a building can be made available to students - enhancing the student learning experience and making more appropriate to an individual learning path.  This allows for original course credit and enrichment.
6. Teachers have more time to work with students individually as teachers move into the role of guide focusing on individual student learning. 

 Better Prepares Students for College and Career Training

1. The technology creates opportunities for authentic learning and assessment - in a properly constructed blended learning environment,  students choose how they will learn and demonstrate their learning of a concept.  This creates an environment of true learning and the development of critical thinking skills.
2. Allows for collaborative learning in a building and/or online.  Tools like Google Docs, Hangouts, and moderator allow students to work and learn with and from each other outside of single location.
3. Students learn and develop 21st century technology skills.

Cost-Savings

1. Based on the model used this can be done with fewer teachers and in a smaller space than traditional classrooms yet still giving 1 on 1 time not currently available in a traditional classroom.
2. Digital resources can be used instead of print materials saving money.  These digital resources can easily be shared across a district.
3. Highly qualified teachers can be shared across a district or districts.  A teacher can be "shared" across buildings and district's better utilizing the teacher's time by increasing class size, sharing the teacher salary across districts, and providing courses to students not previously available at a fraction of the cost of hiring a teacher.
4. Lab courses can be enhanced thru digital labs and simulations - for instance the disection of a frog may not be possible due to space, costs, or student issues with disecting an animal - these simulations can be completed digitally enhancing the learning experience at no cost or moral stress for students.
5. On-going remediation is provided immediately to assure students are not struggling with the concept avoiding student failure.  This saves districts money as remediation occurs during the school day not after-school or during the summer these funds can be re-allocated.  This also saves society money as the drop-out rate is reduced and students are better prepared to enter college and career training without the need of remedial classes before entering a college or career preparation program.
6. Credit recovery programs can be provided using current courses and teachers depending on the model selected - decreasing the drop-out rate and better preparing students for entry into the business sector.

It is said that "necessity, is the mother of invention," blended learning offers promising solutions to today's educational woes and gives society a unique opportunity to revolutionize the educational institution if we as a society are bold enough to step out of the classroom, re-evaluate and re-design the education from the ground up.  

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