Literary Review

Introduction

There is a great benefit for students as well as schools that offer blended learning.  There are many different models of blended learning in which students spend time learning from a teacher and from some online modality.  It allows for personalization, teachers can prevent students from falling through the cracks while helping other students move ahead.  Blended learning also gives access to different learning opportunities.  Research supports the motivation and engagement that blended classrooms provide.  The following literature review takes a deeper look at what blended learning is, the benefits provided, and creating the culture for blended learning.

What is Blended Learning

Blended learning is defined as any formal education program in which a student learns at least in part through online learning, with some element of student control over time, place, path, and or pace (Horn, Staker, Christensen, 2017).  In blended learning programs students do some of their learning via the internet.  This is an instructional shift from a face-to-face teacher to an online tool for learning content and instruction.  The second part of the definition includes that the student learns in part in a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home.  Which means the student attends a physical school that has teachers.  The last part of the definition states that the modalities along each student’s learning path within a course or subject are connected to provide an integrated learning experience (Horn, Staker, Christensen, 2017).  Research has found that most blended classrooms fit within the four main models: Rotation, Flex, A La Carte, and Enriched Virtual.  Some institutions have chosen to use a blend of these models to create a custom program that fits their needs.

The Rotation model of blended learning is popular among teachers.  Students rotate on a fixed schedule or at the teacher’s discretion.  They usually rotate through small group instruction, pen and paper assignments and online learning.  The idea of rotating among stations in the classroom is not new.  The new element is the addition of online learning to the cycle.  The rotation model includes four sub model which are station rotation, lab rotation, flipped classroom and individual rotation.

 

Benefits of Blended Learning

Blended learning is for the benefit of the learner, and not just a reason to use technology (Ferriman & Lynch, 2015).  Due to the face that each learner is different it helps to have a good understanding of the learners needs.  The technology used should be a means to enhance the instruction that is already being provided.  One of the benefits of blended learning is the ease of accessing data.  It allows you to use programs that continuous progress monitoring.  Secondly it provides a consistent structure for students to learn, work, and practice independently in an interactive, digital environment (5 Benefits Of The Blended Learning Approach, 2017).  In 2000 45,000 K-12 students took an online course.  By 2009 that numbered had increased to 3 million +.  It is estimated that by 2019, 50% of high school courses will be delivered online (The rise of K-12 blended learning).

When the monotony of an everyday classroom is broken up the learner becomes more engaged because they are using a variety of different learning tools.  To increase engagement, the blended approach in learning uses a vast array of material types.  In a blended environment the teacher is able to differentiate instruction much easier.  The are many online learning programs such as Read 180 and Imagine Math that allows you to set assignments that will meet the student where they are academic and bring them to where they need to be.  These programs also allow for the immediate access of student progress and the student can get improved feedback.  Programs like these also make the learning fun and fun learning is more likely to increase the engagement level of the students.

Creating a Culture for Blended Learning

Culture is a critical part of the success of any blended learning program.  Students are given control and flexibility in blending learning programs therefore creating the right culture is paramount.  The effectiveness of blended learning is decided before the implementation stage.  If the culture is not right the blended learning environment will not succeed or at least it will not reach its full potential.

Current research states that culture is one of the most important parts in designing a blended learning program.  Edgar Schein defines culture as “a way of working together toward common goals that have been followed so frequently and so successfully that people don’t even think about trying to do things another way.”  The goal is to get members of an organization on one accord so that everyone is on the same page about what it takes for blended learning to be successful.  The culture of the school has to be established which includes the teachers, staff and students.

Conclusion

After a review of the the literature research has shown that blended learning can deepen instruction, motivate students and promote collaboration and socialization. It allows for students to receive differentiated instruction at a higher level.  I would like to research more of the cons of blended learning as this would give me insight on what to avoid when implementing this program into special education classrooms.  Technology is our future and blended learning is very advantageous to our current educational structure.  The benefits of the program will serve students immensely.

References

5 Benefits Of The Blended Learning Approach. (2017, March 13). Retrieved from https://www.talentlms.com/blog/5-reasons-why-blended-learning-works/

Burdette, P. J., Greer, D., & Woods, K. L. (2013). K-12 online learning and students with disabilities: Perspectives from state special education directors. Online Learning,17(3). doi:10.24059/olj.v17i3.327

Ferriman, J., & Lynch, L. (2013, April 27). Types of Blended Learning [INFOGRAPHIC]. Retrieved from https://www.learndash.com/types-of-blended-learning-infographic/

Ferriman, J., & Lynch, L. (2015, January 21). Why Blended Learning Works. Retrieved from https://www.learndash.com/why-blended-learning-works/

Horn, M. B., Staker, H., & Christensen, C. M. (2017). Blended: Using disruptive innovation to improve schools. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Hunt, V. (2018, February 12). 6 Major Benefits Of Blended Learning. Retrieved from https://elearningindustry.com/benefits-of-blended-learning-6-major

Improving the world through disruptive innovation. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.christenseninstitute.org/

Meurer, L. (2008). Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Online and Blended Learning Workshop. MedEdPORTAL Publications. doi:10.15766/mep_2374-8265.519

The rise of K-12 blended learning. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.innosightinstitute.org/media-room/publications/education-publications/the-rise-of-k-12-blended-learning/