Blended Learning: The Future?

Imagine a classroom packed full of cubicles instead of traditional desks. Imagine that each of the cubicles sports a full computer, and that a student focuses on each glowing monitor. The only sounds are the muted click-clicks of keystrokes. Finally, imagine yourself – the teacher of this unique classroom – positioned at a computer of your own, planning your next lesson from a constantly updated data stream based on the activity of your army of plugged-in learners. This isn’t your typical classroom. This is a blended learning environment, and it just might be the next big thing.

One Part Tech, One Part Talk

Blended learning is a style of teaching that combines the high-tech capabilities and potential of computers and other emerging technologies with more traditional face-to-face instruction. Essentially, the student completes online coursework, allowing the teacher to review real-time results. This detailed progress report can be used by the instructor to plan individual and group lessons, and effectively pinpoints strengths and weaknesses.

Sound far off and futuristic? It’s not. In fact, blended learning is already being used. A recent article by Jonathan Schorr and Deborah McGriff on Educationnext.org discusses how blended learning is being implemented in certain schools and institutions around the country (here is a direct link to the article).

Blending is Better

Why bother with all these bells and whistles? The reasons are many. Perhaps the greatest asset of blended learning is the data created through online instruction. A teacher can use this information in a variety of helpful ways:

• Areas of difficulty can be pinpointed and addressed from the beginning.


• Lesson plans are more dynamic when based upon current information. We all know that each and every classroom is different; blended learning allows a teacher to use these differences to better teach his or her individual students.


• Students can view their progress for an immediate sense of achievement; they can also figure out in which areas they are struggling, and use that knowledge to better focus their efforts.

It’s not all about computers, though. Blended learning has a positive impact upon face-to-face interactions as well. The idea is to use technology to make traditional teaching time more effective. Teachers can be confident that they are focusing on necessary skills. In today’s packed classrooms, blended learning also provides an excellent opportunity for small group work. Instead of teaching a room of 35, teachers might reinforce a math skill with 12 students that experienced difficulty while the rest of the class moves on to more difficult concepts. This assures that no one is caught unprepared for the next lesson.

We can’t forget that learning should be fun. Blended learning certainly has this base covered, as students make use of many unique and entertaining materials. Games, interactive lessons, and enhanced visual presentations grab a student’s interest and energy quicker than a chalkboard or textbook. It’s also an increasingly clear truth that modern students relate to the use of high-tech tools like cell phones, the Internet, e-readers, and more. The tools of blended learning will be comfortable in their hands, allowing easy and immediate access to educational content.

Are We Ready?

Not yet. Despite its early success, blended learning is still a new concept. It will take time to develop and refine for widespread use. Given the speed of change in modern education, however, the tide might roll in its favor at any time. Will you be ready? Let us know what you think of blended learning in the comments section below.

More Green Ideas for Earth Day

Don't forget that tomorrow is Earth Day 2011! Here are some more ideas for going green in your school or at home!

Public Pick-Ups

Take a trip around the school, a playground, or a local neighborhood. Bring garbage bags

with you and clean up any litter you see. Use a separate bag for recyclable materials, and

dispose of everything when you have finished. Be sure to wear protective gloves. Not only will

the school/neighborhood look nicer, but you will also be helping the environment.

Get your Plant On (Literally)

Speak to the school authorities and grounds keeper about planting a new tree on school property (or plant one at home, if possible). Some local nurseries (plant shops) sell baby trees that are easily transplanted. If permission is granted, have students help raise money to buy one. Be sure to get them involved in the planting process. Check on the new member of the environment often!

Green Scavenger Hunt

Divide the class into teams and set them loose in the classroom, identifying any anti-green substances or practices. Examples might include: recyclable materials in the regular trash; lights or electronic equipment left on unnecessarily; the presence of older light bulbs instead of energy-efficient ones; etc. The group with the longest accurate list of environmentally unfriendly products wins. You might want to have a “green” prize for the winning team (writing pads/notebooks printed on recycled paper, for example).

Leave Those Cars in the Garage

Challenge students who are able to walk or bike to school. Those who live far away should

try to carpool or take the bus. This will reduce some of the pollution being sent into the air, as

well as the amount of traffic on the roads. This activity is great for parents, too! Try walking or riding bikes when you run errands, for example.

Please let us know how your Earth Day 2011 celebrations and activities turn out! Leave a note in the comments section below.

Be Green This Earth Day!

Spring is a wonderful, beautiful time of year. The air is warm, the skies are bright, and colors are bursting forth in every direction. There is perhaps no better time to celebrate this majestic planet we call home. This Friday, we have the perfect opportunity to do just that – April 22 is Earth Day!

This year’s theme is A Billion Acts of Green®. Millions of people from all around the globe have already pledged to do something to help protect or improve the earth. It’s not too late for you and your students to join the movement. There are many ways to contribute, large and small. Here are a few ideas:

Mission Green

Divide your students into teams. Challenge them to compete to see which team can make the classroom “greener.” Assign points to each team when they reduce waste, conserve power, or make other efforts to make the classroom more environmentally friendly. Points can be awarded for a variety of green actions, such as turning off the lights when everyone leaves a room, packing lunches in recycled bags, reusing materials like paper and paper clips, bringing in a plant for the classroom, etc. At the end of the time allotted, tally the points that each team has earned and see which team is the “greenest.”

Be Powerless – In a Good Way

Designate one day for your class or household to go completely without power. This means no electricity: lights, overhead projectors, electric pencil sharpeners, computers, etc. cannot be used. Instead of using paper for work, use sidewalk chalk or a dry erase board, or teach orally. If the day is a success, schedule more Powerless Days.

Go Green at the Grocery

Make shopping bags to bring with you next time you go to the store. This way, you won’t deplete the store’s plastic bag supply, and you won’t have to throw away the bags. This can be done using material such as canvas, cloth, or felt, a needle and thread, and fabric paints. Simply cut the fabric into two 24”x 24” squares and decorate both pieces with fabric paints. Let the fabric dry before sewing the edges of each piece together. Adults may need to help with the sewing to make sure the stitches are secure and strong.

How do you plan to celebrate Earth Day? What green ideas do you use in your classroom or home? Sound off in the comments section below. And stay tuned to Bridging the Gaps, as we’ll offer more environmentally friendly suggestions and activities throughout this week.

For more information on Earth Day 2011, check out the Earth Day Network’s official website.