Blended vs. Online Learning

Online Learning

Informal Online Learning

Full-time Online Learning

Advantanges

Anytime,
anywhere 24/7

increased student
student communication
and participation

Credit Recovery and
Advanced Placement (AP)

On demand content-self pacing

more course offerings

flexibility

Engaging students
with digital tools

Face-to-Face

Teacher Lectures to a class in Brick and Mortar School Context

Teacher assigns homework

Students take assessments in classroo

r

The Blended classroom is a mix of online learning and face to face instruction. Online learning programs tend to be informal, or best for mature are adult learners. Blended classroom models are beginning to supplant traditional face to face instruction because they are more engaging and dynamic for students.

Teacher Perspective
the teacher centered
vs. student centered
shift

Learning environment

Learning Management System (LMS)
learning environment

hosts all curricular
content

textbook and
testing center

Audio and video
announcements
and instructions

Students submit
work electronically

Tests created from a
bank of questions

Authentic performance-based
assessments are submitted
digitally

One-on-one interaction

Online learning maximizes interactions
between teacher and student

grading and
feedback digitally

comments and discussions
online

Students centered content
and assignments

project based
lessons

reflective writing

threaded discussions

Quality of work

Students' work anytime
based on convenience and
efficiency

Students take more
time to do the work

Digital resources to
enhance learning and
engage students

links to primary source documents

podcasts

videos

interactive websites

Student Choice

Easier to provide student choice
and Personalized instruction

audio or video content

youtube

Ted Ed

Flipped video lessons

Playposit.com

Zaption.com

pulishing software

prezi

Google Slides

powerpoint

web based content

Time and organization

Assignment should be graded
within 24 hours

discussion boards monitored regularly

Blended Learning

Hybrid

online

traditional

Types of Blended Learning

Rotation

Station Rotation

Lab Rotation

Flipped Classroom

Individual Rotation

Flex

Self-blend

Enriched Virtual Model

Challenges of Online and Blended Learning

Overcoming misconceptions

Online learning more than
reading text on a screen

Growth and Regulations

Software and content
development have
outpaced educational
policy

eg. outdated social media policy
outdated technology plans,
outdated notions on spending

Access and equity

Online and blended learning require:

computer

basic software

reliable internet connection

Time Commitment
for teachers

24/7 communication
with students

Digital and Asynchronous
Instruction is demanding
on time

Discussion posts

wikis

email

dropbox

Necessary Skills
for Teaching Online

Technology

Understand
the LMS

High-quality
training

eg. Leading
Edge Certification

Pedagogy

Improve Writing
skils

Adapt to different
learning styles
to meet the needs
of students

Adaptive course
content for disabled
students

visually
impaired

hearing
impaired

Learning
disabled

Synchronous program
demands

Skype/
video conferencing

webcam

headphones/
microphones

A National Education Association (NEA) Policy Brief on Online Learning states "...blended learning (aka "hybrid" and "mixed-mode") is an environment in which a student learns in a "blended" model of face-to-face instruction with a licensed teacher and technology-based instruction that best meets the educational needs of the student

To address these issues, the online teacher
needs to establish clear expectations and guidelines regarding communication, availability and feedback.