Blended Learning: Empowering Students for Success
June 8, 2020 written by PDC
Blended learning is sometimes a misunderstood concept, but is actually quite straightforward. It requires a blend of online and in-person learning, with three main aspects. The first is that the online portion allows some amount of student control, for example, when they engage with content after school. The second requirement is that in-person learning occurs at a “brick-and-mortar” institution, i.e., at school, and the third is that the two portions must complement each other. The online part, in other words, should relate to the in-person component.
Blended Learning: Empowering Students for Success in the Digital Age
Today’s educators teach in unprecedented times. Technology has rapidly altered how we connect and engage with content, so it was only a matter of time until tech made its way into our schools. We should be thankful for that! The Internet, mobile devices, and robust online educational tools made it possible to revolutionize the way we teach students. It has empowered us to enrich their learning experiences in ways never before possible, in part through personalization — one of the key concepts of blended learning.
Blended learning is sometimes a misunderstood concept, but is actually quite straightforward. It requires a blend of online and in-person learning, with three main aspects. The first is that the online portion allows some amount of student control, for example, when they engage with content after school. The second requirement is that in-person learning occurs at a “brick-and-mortar” institution, i.e., at school, and the third is that the two portions must complement each other. The online part, in other words, should relate to the in-person component.
While the basics of blended learning are simple, getting started is more complicated. The course Blended Learning: Empowering Students for Success in the Digital Age, offered by Professional Development Courses at the University of La Verne, presents several solutions and suggestions for K-12 teachers.
How Blended Learning Helps Students
A successful blended learning program begins by defining the reasons for doing it in the first place. As mentioned above, one major benefit of this approach is that it allows for personalization. Many schools have a goal to customize curriculums to meet individual student learning needs because what works for one student may not work for another. This creates inequalities in learning. Traditional models are relatively confining in terms of what teachers can do compared to the opportunities created by properly leveraging technology, which is why blended learning has grown in popularity in recent years.
To implement an effective blended learning approach for K-12 students, teachers must decide the most suitable technology and content for the online portions. They must also ensure those correlate to the in-person curriculum in a meaningful way. Simply bringing tech into the classroom is not, by itself, going to improve student learning. Teachers must identify clear goals aimed at creating an individualized approach that facilitates deeper subject matter learning.
Planned right and with student and parent buy-in, blending learning can enhance existing proficiency with technology while fostering the spirit of curiosity needed for youth to participate in their educational journeys. Students who are already adept at using devices for social and entertainment purposes will suddenly discover ways to maximize their skills for the sake of their educational fulfillment. In many ways, it is an ideal scenario for teachers who dream of motivating their students to take the initiative.
Benefits of the Course
Blended Learning: Empowering Students for Success in the Digital Age is packed with beneficial knowledge for K-12 teachers, including:
- A practical and comprehensive definition of blended learning
- Explanations of the different models
- Comparisons between sustaining and disruptive models
- How to assess models and select the most suitable ones
- Popular apps and tech resources to jumpstart your chosen blended learning model
- How to create Makerspaces where students can collaborate on projects
- How to structure Personal Learning Networks
- Communication best practices in blended learning situations
Blended Learning: Empowering Students for Success in the Digital Age Course Contents
Blended Learning: Empowering Students for Success in the Digital Age, offered by Professional Development Courses at the University of La Verne, features an in-depth yet straightforward curriculum made explicitly for K-12 teachers. The course contents include:
- Integrating online learning with live instruction
- Introduction to online learning apps and technology resources
- Methods for assessing the best model to adopt
- How to utilize productive differentiation techniques for diverse learners
- Ways blended learning models can enhance academic achievement
- Creating practical student schedules
The curriculum was designed for busy working teachers who want the flexibility and convenience of a distance learning course that is rigorous enough to count for graduate credit from an accredited university. All content is self-paced, written in user-friendly language, and can be completed in an online or via emailed PDF format.
Successful completion of Blended Learning: Empowering Students for Success in the Digital Age imparts exciting new skills as well as graduate credits to potentially boost your career, qualify you for promotions or pay increases, and in many cases, aid with license renewal or recertification.
This three-credit course counts towards the University of La Verne’s 15-credit certificate in Integrating Technology into the Classroom. Other popular course options for this timely certificate include:
- A Practical Introduction to Adobe Photoshop
- Blended Learning: Empowering Students for Success in the Digital Age
- Creating a Google Apps Classroom
- Microsoft PowerPoint 2016
- Technologies, Social Media, and Society: Current Topics
- Unlocking the Mysteries of Code
Note, the University of La Verne is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Since requirements may vary, students should check with their school district or state department of education before enrolling in a course.
How to Register
Blended Learning: Empowering Students for Success in the Digital Age can be completed in either an online or via an emailed PDF format. It is open for anyone to register at any time during an open semester. After completion, students receive graduate, non-degree semester credit on official transcripts from the University of La Verne, an accredited university in La Verne, California.
Registration is fast and straightforward and can be done online or over the phone. Courses are offered on a rolling basis during three standard semesters, and you can begin whenever you are ready! The registration dates are:
- Fall: September 1 - January 31
- Spring: February 1 - May 31
- Summer: June 1 - August 31
Modern students are already using mobile devices and the Internet in their daily lives. Utilizing technology for educational purposes is one of the most practical ways to put their skills to work beneficially. Discover ways to unleash the power of blended learning and get ready to supercharge your blended learning classrooms today!