Blended Learning

What is Blended Learning? 

Blended learning combines in-person classroom activities with digital learning opportunities as well as structured opportunities for students to practice (and internalize) what they have learned.  Blended Learning includes features of a flipped classroom and a traditional classroom to form a balance that works for you and your students.

Why would I want to do that?

Use your class time for activities that allow students to apply what they have learned, rather than lesson delivery.  Allow students more time to work together.  Make class time more engaging.  Blended Learning allows you to act as a guide and coach in the classroom.  Step away from the front of the room and interact with your students while they interact with each other.

How do I incorporate Blended Learning in my classroom?

Here are some ideas for Blended Learning, but there are many more ways.  Do what works for you in your own classroom.  

• Try the station rotation model.  Students rotate through different learning activities throughout the class period.  For more information about station rotation, please check out Catlin Tucker's website.  Here are some posts that might be especially helpful:

  • The Station Rotation Model: Prioritize Differentiation, Student Agency & 4Cs of 21st-Century Learning

  • FAQ: The Station Rotation Model

  • Collection of Station-Rotation blog posts

• Include a mix of face-to-face group or partner work where students get a chance to work together.  

• Infuse some direct instruction as necessary.  

• Incorporate video lessons for students to watch either in class (in-class flip) or at home (flipped classroom) where they can learn at their own pace by pausing and rewinding as necessary.  

• A great tool for making video lessons more engaging is EdPuzzle.  EdPuzzle allows you to take existing videos and add in periodic checks for understanding.  Insert questions throughout the video and at the end.  Check out their extensive video library. 

• Include games where students get to practice what they are learning in a fun, engaging way.