The Secret to Successful 21st Century Blended Learning

The spring of 2020 thrust almost every direction of education into a sudden switch from in-person instruction to distance learning. I use the term “distance learning” very lightly as what has been deemed “crisis learning” is not interchangeable with what is considered true distance learning.

A true model of distance learning has an extreme amount of intentional planning, best practices, and specific execution. The spring 2020 model did not have any of these.

In a model with truly no best practices, every teacher just tried to do the best they could with what they had at their disposal.

Warriors. Every single one of them.

However, even with terms like “hybrid learning”, “distance learning“, and “blended learning” being used to describe what these teachers were doing, most that I spoke with were NOT implementing true versions of these models.

Why? Because most of them weren’t trained in how they *actually* worked. These models should be no more difficult to plan than a traditional lesson and, can be argued, are actually easier to implement.

If that wasn’t your experience (I see you), please read on to not only understand the difference but to begin piecing together how to do this properly in your own classroom.

What does blended learning mean?

On a basic level, most people understand that blended learning means a mix of instruction both inside the classroom and out. This includes a model that is technology-infused. While schools have had computer labs since the 1990s and have relied on the internet for some time, there hasn’t actually been a “blend” of instruction that gives students both control and choice when it comes to their learning.

Some say that blended learning is the best of both worlds. In a traditional classroom, lectures take up most of the day – with few opportunities for students to shape their own paths and develop skills necessary in today’s global economy. With this new blend of instruction, there are classrooms where teachers still do much of what they normally would but also have time to collaborate with experts outside or online from other fields in order to enrich content not just inside class walls- as well as give kids more control over how they choose to spread out their coursework across different days instead of having them all crammed into one overwhelming week!

It might seem strange after decades of education to hear the necessity of giving students control and choice in their learning. However, with Generation Z in the classroom, also known as the “YouTube Generation”, it is absolutely imperative to be amending our schools with the times that make certain that this youngest generation of learners is being reached on the level that suits them best.

Therefore, the model of true blended learning gives an element of learning online, not just the completion of assignments. There is actual instruction taking place at the pace of the individual student.  A technology-rich lesson may use technology, but all students are expected to work on the same assignment in the same way. When the lesson is truly blended, they determine how, where, and when they dive in.

Without this very specific element, there is no differentiation from in-class, direct instruction. Blended learning is not just using tech tools outside of the classroom but giving the student individualized freedom to not just learn content, but also develop personalized mannerisms to instruction.

Blended Learning has always existed as an idea but not quite like how we know today’s world; with technology becoming more prevalent every year, students are finally able to learn through instruction inside classroom walls or out – from their smartphones at home if they so choose!

Helping with Differentiation for Students

We know we are told that we need to differentiate for all students. This is a great way to have that happen. Students can work on their learning goals and needs at their own pace. They can pause, refresh, and move quickly through content as is appropriate for their own needs. They might find that they learn better in the morning or perhaps in the evening. Maybe there is a certain way they want to investigate a topic. There are several variables that can be considered that are personalized to the student and do not affect their overall outcomes in terms of what is the teacher’s concern.

We all have our own learning needs, and we’re told that educators should be able to cater to their teaching styles to meet each student where they need it. This is a great way for teachers not only to differentiate content but also to create an environment of personalization in the classroom. As students explore topics at their own pace, pause when needed, or work through things quickly as necessary; differentiating becomes more than just splitting up the room by ability levels: there are several variables involved here which can include time preference (morning person? evening?), a preferred mode of exploration (online/novels), etc., all tailored specifically towards what works best for them!

This helps immensely with instruction in the brick-and-mortar classroom. By having them complete specific learning objectives at home using the blended learning model, it gives more time for deeper analysis, hands-on instruction, and other such intricacies when together in the classroom.  

Teachers need to be flexible with their students. When they realize that every student is different, it can make a huge difference in the classroom and learning environment for all learners. Students have many ways of approaching topics, which may not suit your teaching style or methods but will better serve them as an individual learner who has his/her own strengths and weaknesses.

The key element of the Blended Learning Classroom

The key element of the blended learning approach is that both the in-class activities and out-of-class assignments work together and integrate to move the curriculum further. This goes beyond traditional homework. With a traditional model, homework is assigned to merely reinforce what is done in the classroom. There has been a lot of research in the past several years that actually question whether or not this specific model of homework is effective at all.

The key to this is to be certain that there are data points that can be tracked during the out-of-classroom assignments. This way not only can a teacher prepare for in-class activities based on that data, but it is easy for them to track progress and help steer each student in the direction that they needed to be headed.

This is not only helpful for students to get the individual attention that they may need, but it allows teachers to push their own learning as well.

This constant interaction between teachers and students is what makes learning effective and memorable in the long run. It creates both an environment and reciprocal relationships in the classroom that have the students excited to learn and come to your classroom every day.

This may sound simple, but it requires a lot of work and critical thinking in order to make it a reality. You need to plan out and think through every step of what the students are doing out-of-classroom as well as how you can use that data to better prepare your classroom activities. However, once you understand the process, it can be argued that it is less work to coordinate with much bigger outcomes.

How does blended learning work?

There is a defined difference between a technology-rich model and a truly blended learning environment.

This is most likely where schools will struggle without the proper training.

Technology-rich activities have all students using technology to complete assignments that could just as easily be done in a whole-class instructional model. This is not a blended learning classroom.   While there are benefits to introducing this generation to different tech tools, it is not actually changing instruction.

Again, for it to be a truly blended learning environment, there needs to be a specific element of student control over his or her learning and a level of differentiation and personalization for each one.

Why blended learning? By using the blended learning model effectively, student achievement will improve. It will be easier for the instructor to work with students individually. Whereas with a traditional, teacher-led model there is only time for concentration on the classroom as a whole and helping the students who need individual attention as needed, this allows the teacher to work with each and every student, breaking down information or challenging the student more as needed.

This will ebb and flow with each student and being able to have those one-to-one connections will help their educational needs.  Imagine a high school teacher being able to effectively work with 150 students on an individual level based on the student’s individual needs. This is the model that can help that to happen without an increase in teacher stress.

It is about changing the way teachers are thinking.  They are no longer “teachers” but facilitators of learning.  

Blended learning has definite benefits to those who implement it, including:

More productive use of time by both students and instructors. Increased engagement from students. Reduced need for face-to-face interaction between students and teachers. 

It also gives the student a level of control over their own learning.  Something that is missing in traditional instruction!  The “on-demand” element helps them regulate themselves, pacing themselves as they see fit and taking time to review when necessary without the approval of the instructor.    The teacher does not need to play the role of motivator or disciplinarian.  Each student will be able to regulate his or her learning pace without feeling rushed as opposed to sitting through a 50-minute lecture that may have been too much information for him or her.

Adding some strategy games and time for collaborative work are also ways to increase engagement.  Students know they have time set aside for games when they need a mental break from the material or revising and revising to create better work.

In order for this method to work, there must be open communication so students do not feel like they are being left out or feel like the teacher is not listening when they ask for extra help.  It is about providing open access to all students and parents without feeling overwhelmed by the number of requests.

Students need to be taught how to communicate effectively with teachers and counselors via email or online resources that can assist in needs being met on an individual basis.

Blended learning is also not a way to get around following district or school regulations.  If teachers need to follow certain expectations, there will be ways to do this but it would be up to the discretion of the instructor. There may be some things they feel are best covered in person and other items could adequately be reviewed via technology as long as it meets the needs of the instructors and students.  For example, doing a lab activity as part of a course can be extremely difficult to teach via online resources.

Since it is blended learning, there could be some features that are included in the class such as digital games or videos that could assist teachers in teaching specific aspects of their lessons without having to worry about the logistics of it.  This will help with time management since there may not be a need to create certain lesson plans or activities that can already be created and available online.

Are you prepared for blended learning?

Most teachers are going to just give assignments to be completed at home. Not only is this not blended learning, but it is going to add an exorbitant amount of stress to the teachers trying to manage it all.

Don’t do that.

The absolute best part about preparing for a blended learning classroom? Even if school is 100% in the classroom (or frankly is still 100% online), you can use 100% of your blended learning lesson plans in the classroom. Can you say that confidently about your traditional lessons?

Probably not.

Will it take time to create the perfect balance between what students do inside and outside of the classroom? Yes, especially if you haven’t already created them for your traditional lessons (and you should have). But again, once you understand the process, it’s no more difficult than creating a normal lesson plan and the benefits far outweigh anything else.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you need to have everything ready for your blended learning classroom before it even starts. I know this is a concept that will probably be difficult to grasp if you’ve been in education as long as I have and used traditional methods for so many years, but trust me when I say that there is a learning curve for all involved but once everyone rounds that bend, the magic truly happens.

In summer 2020, I created a video series to help teachers with an understanding of how blended learning works since so many schools were discussing a hybrid model of instruction moving into the new school year.

For starters, most of the schools running “blended learning” were NOT actually implementing blended learning. They were expecting their teachers to figure out how to teach kids at home and kids at school without any type of specific training on what blended learning *actually* is and how it should work. It was some hybrid, crisis learning model that never needs to be repeated.

BUT, I was running a blended classroom way before the pandemic and I’m here to tell you first-hand that when implemented PROPERLY, it works beyond your wildest dreams (I’m not exaggerating….you’ll never go back to traditional teaching!).

With so much turmoil and transition in education right now, I reopened the video series for those who wish to brush up on how blended learning is actually done. If you’re interested, click on the photo below.

In closing, DON’T make attempting a blended model more stressful than it has to be. Your sanity will thank you for it!

Blended Learning and the 4 Keys

Determining a plan for blended learning in the classroom that will work for your students isn’t difficult, it just needs to ebb and flow with the students and where they are (physically, mentally, and emotionally). Being flexible is the key to making all of this work. The key is engagement. There are four keys to student engagement that I discuss in my video training challenge called “Finding Your Student Engagement Formula” and it walks you through those four keys and how to implement them in the classroom.

If you are interested in registering (it’s totally free), visit the Finding Your Student Engagement Formula Challenge registration page and you will be notified the next time the series is available.