Blended Learning in Action: A Practical Guide Toward Sustainable Change

by Catlin R. Tucker, Tiffany Wycoff, Jason T. Green

Overview

Shift to blended learning to transform education

Blended learning has the power to reinvent education, but the transition requires a new approach to learning and a new skillset for educators. Loaded with research and examples, Blended Learning in Action demonstrates the advantages a blended model has over traditional instruction when technology is used to engage students both inside the classroom and online. Readers will find:

• Breakdowns of the most effective classroom setups for blended learning
• Tips for leaders
• Ideas for personalizing and differentiating instruction using technology
• Strategies for managing devices in schools
• Questions to facilitate professional development and deeper learning

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506341163
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	10/13/2016
Series:	Corwin Teaching Essentials
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Catlin Tucker is a Google Certified Innovator, bestselling author, international trainer, and frequent Edtech speaker, who teaches in Sonoma County where she was named Teacher of the Year in 2010. Catlin’s books Blended Learning in Grades 4-12 and Blended Learning in Action are both bestsellers. She has also written a book titled Creatively Teach the Common Core Literacy Standards with Technology to support teachers in thinking outside of the box as they shift to the Common Core. Catlin is working on her doctorate at Pepperdine University. She writes the “Techy Teacher” column for ASCD’s Educational Leadership. She is active on Twitter @Catlin_Tucker and writes an internationally ranked education blog at Catlin Tucker.com.

Tiffany Wycoff is an innovative school leader with a specialization in blended learning and school technology integration. She was an early adopter of blended learning at the K-12 level, teaching and leading in both online and face-to-face setting. Tiffany has served as a school leader at Grandview Preparatory School in Florida and The Mandell School in New York, helping both schools establish technology rich learning environments and to incorporate blended learning models into the academic program. She has presented on blended learning and the use of social media in education at conferences and universities, and has helped other schools transform their programs through blended learning implementation. Tiffany collaborated on the design and development of the Redbird Professional Learning Platform which provides online professional development to teachers and leaders. She holds a BA in Elementary Education and a MA in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University, and an Executive MS in Technology Management from Columbia University. Tiffany writes an educational leadership blog at www.Teach Onthe Edge.com and is active on Twitter @Teach On The Edge.

Inspired by his youth development and nonprofit work as a student at Morehouse College, Jason Green has dedicated his career to creating positive change in education. As a member of the leadership team with Redbird Advanced Learning, Jason partnered with Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education to re-envision professional learning. He led the design of the Redbird Professional Learning Platform which now helps prepare thousands of teachers globally for 21st century learning. Jason has traveled nationally and internationally to help schools and districts build cultures of innovation and adapt to education’s changing landscape. Jason has spoken at leading universities and conferences including Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, NCSM and i NACOL and has been featured in the Miami Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer, and NBC. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College, Jason is driven by the belief that all children have a right to a high-quality education. Jason holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and an M.S. Ed from University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Jason has served as an adjunct professor and a board member for various nonprofits. Connect with Jason on Twitter @jasontoddgreen.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Introduction
PART 1. SHIFTING TO A BLENDED CULTURE
Chapter 1. Going Blended to Meet the World
Scaling Blended Learning Transformation
Clearing Up Blended Learning Confusion
It Starts With Culture
A Blended Learning Culture
Where the World Is Going: Our Students Are Already There
Wrapping It Up
Book Study Questions
Chapter 2. Getting Started
Phase 1: Building the Foundation
Stage 1: Engagement and Vision–Cohesion of Vision and Pedagogy
Stage 2: Assess–What Is Our Starting Point?
Links to the Classroom: Participating in Discussions About Mindset
Stage 3: Planning and Design
Stage 4: Pre-Pilot
Identifying and Enlisting Pre-Pilot Teachers
Links to the Classroom: Engaging Student Voice in Pre-Pilots
Wrapping It Up
Book Study Questions
Chapter 3. The Blended Learning Elements of Effectiveness
The Elements Described
Cohesion of Vision and Pedagogy
Capacity Building
Links to the Classroom: Building Student Capacity
Technology Utilization
Links to the Classroom: Getting Creative With Limited Resources
Data Management and Usage
Student Ownership
Wrapping It Up
Book Study Questions
Chapter 4. Preparing Teachers for Blended Instruction
What Works in Professional Development
Guiding Principle of Blended Learning Professional Development #1: As the Student, So the Teacher (CHOMP)
Links to the Classroom: Help Students Connect
Hands-On Learning
Ongoing Learning
Mindset Shifts: Start With the Why Not the What
Personalize Choice, Differentiation, Pace, and Skills
Links to the Classroom: What Are Your Strengths Now?
Guiding Principle of Blended Learning Professional Development #2: Differentiate to Cross the Chasm
Wrapping It Up
Book Study Questions
PART 2. BLENDED LEARNING TOOLBOX
Chapter 5. Devices and Digital Tools
Different Tools for a Different Generation
Building Blocks of a Digital Classroom
Links to Leadership: Supporting an Iterative Practice
Productivity and Collaboration Environments
Learning Management Systems
Links to Leadership: Access to Technology
Links to Leadership: Professional Development
Building Technology Toolboxes to Promote Technology Fluency
Deciding on the Right Device
Which Funding Model Is the Best Fit?
Links to Leadership: Engage Stakeholder Voices
Mobile Devices
Tablets
Chromebooks
Laptops
Finding the Right Tool
Stay Connected and Keep Learning
Wrapping It Up
Book Study Questions
Chapter 6. Digital Curriculum
What Is Digital Curriculum?
Types of Digital Curriculum
What Are the Benefits of Digital Curriculum?
How Can Digital Curriculum Foster Student Ownership?
What Are the Challenges of Using Digital Curriculum?
How Do I Select the Right Digital Curriculum?
Links to Leadership: Helping Teachers Select the Best-Fit Digital Curriculum
Build Capacity Through Committees
Engage Students as Owners via Student Input
Build Capacity Through Professional Development
Digital Curriculum and the Planning Process
Organizing and Sharing Digital Curriculum
Links to Leadership: Helping Teams Plan Together
Digital Curriculum in Blended Learning Models
Whole-Group Rotation Digital Curriculum Integration
Station Rotation Digital Curriculum Integration
Flipped Class Digital Curriculum Integration
Wrapping It Up
Book Study Questions
Chapter 7. Assessment in a Blended Environment
What Do We Really Mean by Assessment?
What Drives Student Learning?
Reading and Responding to the Data Narrative
Links to Leadership: Tools and Time for Managing Data
Maximizing the LMS
Beyond Grades and Data
Making It Personal
Leading and Learning With Formative Assessment
How Can Formative Assessment Foster Student Ownership?
What Are the Challenges of Assessment in the Blended Environment?
Wrapping It Up
Book Study Questions
Chapter 8. Onboarding and Supporting Students
Why Do We Need to Onboard “Digital Natives”?
What Do We Mean by Onboarding?
Onboarding Through Effective Backward Design
Links to Leadership: Establishing a Schoolwide Onboarding Practice
Build Capacity Through Student Trailblazers and Buddy Programs
Engage Students in Peer Support Systems
Embracing Teachable Moments
Wrapping It Up
Book Study Questions
PART 3. BLENDED LEARNING: EXPLORING CLASSROOM MODELS
Chapter 9. Station Rotation Model
What Is the Station Rotation Model?
What Are the Benefits of the Station Rotation Model?
Station Rotation Model Can Take Many Forms
Links to Leadership: Access to Technology
Planning a Station Rotation Lesson
Station Rotation Lesson Template
Links to Leadership: Helping Teachers to Meet and Overcome Challenges
Building Capacity
Additional Staffing or Parent Volunteers
Tip for Designing a Station Rotation: Go Horizontal With Your Traditional Agenda
Design a Station Rotation to Target a Specific Skill
What Are Some of the Challenges Associated With the Station Rotation Model?
Logistical Concerns
Grouping Strategies
What Is the Teacher’s Role During a Station Rotation Lesson?
Wrapping It Up
Book Study Questions
Chapter 10. Whole Group Rotation: A Modern Spin on the Lab Rotation
What Is the Whole Group Rotation?
What Are the Benefits of the Whole Group Rotation?
Designing a Whole Group Rotation Lesson
Whole Group Rotation: Sample Lessons
Whole Group Rotation: Drag-and-Drop Lesson Template
What Are Some of the Challenges Associated With the Whole Group Rotation?
Links to Leadership: Access to Technology
Logistical Concerns
How can I make sure students are on task during online work?
How can I make time to work one-on-one with students?
Wrapping It Up
Book Study Questions
Chapter 11. The Flipped Classroom
What Is the Flipped Classroom?
What Are the Benefits of the Flipped Classroom?
Designing a Flipped Classroom Lesson
Step 1: Pique Interest, Drive Inquiry, or Assess Previous Knowledge
Step 2: Flip and Engage Online
Step 3: Design Student-Centered Application Activities
Example of a Flipped Vocabulary Lesson
Flipping With Different Types of Media
Flipping With Text
Flipping With Images
Flipping With Video
Flip AND Engage
Links to Leadership: Access to Technology
Producing and Publishing Your own Flipped Videos
Step 1: Creating Content
Step 2: Recording Videos or Screencasts
Step 3: Exporting to You Tube or a Video Hosting Site
Links to Leadership: Building Capacity
What Are Some of the Challenges Associated With the Flipped Classroom?
In-Class Flip
Wrapping It Up
Book Study Questions
Chapter 12. Other Models and Possibilities
Individualized Models and Possibilities
Individual Rotations and Playlists Defined
Links to Leadership: Managing Technology Platforms
What Are the Benefits of the Individual Playlist Model?
Designing and Supporting Individual Playlists
Building Community
What Is the Teacher’s Role During an Individual Playlist Experience?
Links to Leadership: Helping Teachers to Facilitate Learning
A La Carte Model Defined
How Do Schools Select Course Providers for A La Carte Integration?
Links to Leadership: Logistics of A La Carte Learning
What Are the Benefits of the A La Carte Model?
Designing and Supporting A La Carte
Links to Leadership: Role Definition and Policy
Building Capacity Through Onsite Facilitator Training and Networking
Beyond the Models
Wrapping It Up
Book Study Questions
PART 4. BLENDED LEARNING: THE ROADMAP TO PERSONALIZATION
Chapter 13. The Roadmap to Personalization
The Path Forward to Personalization
Phase 2: Transitions
Phase 3: Expansion
Achieving Sustainability
The Responsibility of Teaching “They”
Wrapping It Up
Book Study Questions
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

"The time for blended learning is now and the place is ALL classrooms throughout the country. This book provides educators with essential information and practices that will prepare students for the 21st Century. "

Kim Weber

"Blended Learning in Action is an incredibly thoughtful read that builds a case for the urgent changes needed in schools today. Authors Tucker, Green, and Wycoff bring incredible expertise and passion to this book. It artfully describes the importance of blended learning playing a central role in this revolution coming to education as we know it. Blended Learning in Action is a great road map that balances research and practice for teachers, leaders, and learners. "

Robert Dillon

"This book is an excellent tool for administrators and educators who would like to learn more about implementing or improving a successful blended learning program in their school or district. It provides step-¬by-¬step instructions as well as anecdotes from actual educators who have experienced the implementation process themselves. "

Juliette Guarino Berg

"Whether you are a district, school, or classroom education leader, Blended Learning in Action will take you through the pedagogy, tools, curriculum and lesson design strategies, and practical classroom models to start transforming learning for your students. The best part of this book is that it can provide educators with innovative ideas whether they are just considering going blended, ready to take the plunge, or have already gone blended and are looking for more inspiration. Don't miss the chance to move your classroom, school, or district forward by creating a culture shift and following through with the school-wide and classroom practices that have been tested by educators. "

Kerry Gallagher

"This book is different. It is deeper and more serious about creating the change students deserve than most others. Blended Learning in Action is a deep dive into what, why, and how blended learning can be meaningfully implemented and scaled. The purposeful integration of multiple stakeholder perspectives throughout the book was masterful. The fact that each and every chapter of Blended Learning in Action started out with a student's perspective confirms that it is built on a vital pedagogical foundation. "

Dr. Brad Gustafson

"The authors make blended learning come alive with the use of practical examples and resources beneficial to all school leaders and teachers ready to elevate student learning. "

Kelly Fitzgerald

"Blended Learning in Action will lead to deep discussion with teachers and school leaders on how to move forward with an action plan to link modern and fresh teaching practices in the classroom to technology, while also helping to create rewarding classroom environment. "

Kristopher R. Kwiatek