Introduction to

Blended Learning

A 21st Century Education Model

The factory model of education is the wrong for the 21st
century. Today, our schools must prepare all students for
college and careers- and do far more to personalize
instruction and employ the smart use of technology.
-Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education
(knewton.com)

What is Blended Learning?

Blended learning happens when a student learns in a brick-and-mortar [classroom] and
through online delivery with student control over time, place, path, or pace. (knewton.com)
However, blended learning is NOT simply adding online games, videos, or presentations to
students workload. It is NOT sitting students at the computer where they are isolated at
their keyboards with no social interaction. Effective blended learning occurs when students
alternate regularly between engaging with teachers and peers and focusing on online
content tailored to their learning pace and progress. Blended learning also benefits the
teacher. They can focus on higher order thinking skills, communication, and collaboration,
while students are engaged in online learning. Monitoring students becomes easier and data
is easily gathered and used. (educationalelements.com)
It is a solution that can transform the factory-like structure of American schools. A new
model is in sight that is highly personalized, student-centric, and more productive,
providing better results. (knewton.com)

Blended Learning offers...

1. Integrated systems
support the seamless assimilation of online content from different sources into the
student experience, while allowing student achievement data to flow easily across the
school in real time
2. High-quality dynamic content
aligned to national standards such that students can stay powerfully engaged through
continuous adaptive learning technology that offers uniquely personalized learning
3. Analytics
that allow operators to provide more personalized learning experiences for networks
of students
4. Automation
to simplify educators lives by eliminating low-value manual tasks like attendance and
student assessment data entry
5. Applications that enhance student motivation
using features like social networks, games, personalized playlists, badges, and micro
rewards to engage and incentivize students in their own learning
* from http://www.knewton.com/blended-learning/

What is Edmodo?
Edmodo is part of this new movement in educational technology to create blended
learning environments to extend learning outside the physical walls of the
classroom. Edmodo offers features that can benefit teachers with organization and
housekeeping tasks, but it also has many capabilities to enhance students
learning online. However, for individuals who are not experienced with
computers, learning management systems, and creating and uploading files, it can
be difficult to get started and develop a space that is truly effective. This training
will prepare you to build your own Edmodo classroom to create a blended
learning environment that pushes the boundaries of the outdated factory model.

References
Blended learning: A disruptive innovation. (n.d.) [infographic]. Knewton. Retrieved
from http://www.knewton.com/blended-learning/
Blended learning works for teachers. (n.d.) Education Elements. Retrieved from
http://educationelements.com/our-services/how-blended-learning-technologyworks-teachers
What is blended learning? (n.d.) Education Elements. Retrieved from http:
//educationelements.com/our-services/what-is-blended-learning