Blended Learning : Lessons for Schools Intending to Change

"Every organisation must prepare to abandon

 everything it does"

Peter Drucker

Extracts On Learning from DC on Blended Learning:

“District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)[1] has developed three main blended learning initiatives over the past several years:

1. Since the 2013–14 school year, district and school leaders have redesigned 17 schools (10 elementary schools, four middle schools, and three high schools) to incorporate blended learning. Students who are introduced to blended learning in elementary school do not have to change instructional methods as they progress through schools.

2. Many schools not selected for redesigns are also using blended learning in a variety of grade levels and subject areas to meet their school-level academic goals.

3. High schools offer credit-recovery programs using the Enriched Virtual model of blended learning in which content is delivered online and students meet with highly qualified teachers in their content areas at least two or three times per week.

The district has made significant investments in online curriculum, network and wireless infrastructure, end-user devices, and professional development.

It has also established a dedicated team at the central office to research, implement, and evaluate blended learning. DCPS has recorded extensive and well-studied student gains in math and reading on district-wide assessments and the National Assessment of Educational Progress since implementing blended learning.

The redesigned elementary schools use the Station Rotation model of blended learning for math and reading, with some variation based on decisions made by school leaders. The redesigned middle school uses the Individual Rotation model of blended learning for math and has worked with New Classrooms to design and implement the blended model.

Across all schools (not just the blended schools), the district uses a variety of online curriculum products, including Lexia and myON for reading and ST Math, First in Math, and i-Ready for math. Science, social studies, and world languages classes also use online curriculum.

The district retrained its teacher evaluators, known as Master Educators, on evaluation techniques applicable to blended learning classrooms.

In elementary schools, students in reading and math classes rotate on a fixed schedule through three stations: one station is teacher-led small-group instruction, another is online learning, and a third is either independent practice or project-based learning.

In the redesigned middle school, all students have a laptop that allows them to move through online curriculum at their own pace, with support from a team of teachers. In addition to the redesigned schools, there are smaller blended-learning initiatives occurring in the district’s other schools that focus primarily on math and reading.  

It has also focused on identifying strategies that improve outcomes for the lowest performing students. The district has recorded student gains in math and reading since implementing blended learning.”

Source given in Footnote  

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[1] http://www.kpk12.com/wp-content/uploads/DCPS.pdf