Key points:

• Blended learning tools give teachers the right data to support student progress
• Unlocking potential: The power of online courses in our school
• Why blended learning is a top 12 way to help those most in need
• For more news on blended learning, visit eSN’s Digital Learning hub

Thirty unique, energetic learners enter a bright, welcoming 4th grade classroom. The students’ academic levels span an incredible range–from kindergarten-level skills to almost high school-level proficiency. Among these students are newcomers to the country adjusting to a new language and culture, students with special education needs requiring individualized support, and gifted learners ready for deeper learning challenges.

While resources in K-12 school systems nationwide have always been tight, in the post-COVID era, school districts are working hard to meet the increased needs of our students with either flat or contracted budgets.

While the educators in my district and across our country are fully committed to serving the students in our care, the increasing demands placed on our teachers and school leaders dictate that we find new and innovative ways to deliver the high-quality instructional experiences our students need to build the skills and background knowledge needed for future success. As the principal of a mid-sized urban elementary school, I work hand-in-hand with my teachers to surface and implement the strategies and tactics we believe will benefit the diverse learners in our school.

Among the most effective strategies my team and I have implemented is blended learning. Blended learning rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as an effective way of combining the best of face-to-face instruction with adaptive online learning or other technology-based resources. We see it as an aid in scaling best practice, as it empowers educators to give students highly personalized instruction that is responsive to each student’s strengths, preferences, and abilities.

In addition, it allows for a more flexible pace of learning than traditional whole-group instruction can provide. Finally, the online edtech resources that support the implementation of the blended learning strategy gives teachers multiple data points that can be used to plan individual and small group lessons to support their students’ progress.

While blended learning is not a new strategy, advancements in educational technologies have led to progressively better resources becoming available to support its implementation. Here is what I believe to be among the best resources now available to support blended learning:

Lexia assesses and places students within various levels of their program to provide targeted reading instruction across all areas of reading, including phonological awareness, phonics/decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Students engage in literacy learning and practice as they “travel around the world” through Lexia’s levels. Lexia has created a new product, PowerUp, for older students in grades 6-8. Students can place and receive instruction from kindergarten through 8th grade. Teachers can monitor progress in real time and receive reports regarding students’ accuracy and rate of moving through the program. Lexia and PowerUp have lessons teachers can use individually or in small groups to support student growth in literacy.

Learning A-Z provides a variety of digital literacy programs for educators. Raz-Kids offers a leveled library of books in English and Spanish. Students can listen to, read, and take quizzes on books of their choosing or assigned by their teacher. Multilingual learners are supported by being able to listen to books that highlight the text as it is read, while also using the lively illustrations and photos to increase their vocabulary. They have other add-on programs to address foundational skills, vocabulary, and writing instruction.

DreamBox Math by Discovery Education offers a completely adaptive gamified math learning environment in both English and Spanish. The platform adjusts based on students’ correct and incorrect answers. It takes learners through mathematics learning, from the conceptual with virtual manipulatives to automaticity with mathematical algorithms. DreamBox gives teachers real-time data on progress towards standards in all strands of math.

In a dynamic blended learning environment, the teacher is a facilitator of learning, mentoring and guiding students as they progress. Some students work independently on computer-based adaptive learning at their exact reading and math levels on Lexia, Raz-Kids, and DreamBox platforms. Meanwhile, other students engage in project-based learning with opportunities to integrate the arts with science and social studies content or authentic writing on current topics.

Throughout the classroom, the teacher circulates, checking for understanding and providing clarification or motivation with individual students, or meeting with small groups to identify a particular skill or strategy with which they need support. Suddenly 30 students, all at 30 different places in their learning trajectory, are able to grow and achieve feeling connected and valued as learners.

Intentional organization and planning, creativity, flexibility, high-quality digital resources, and a belief in our students’ potential to take ownership of their learning come together to create powerful learning environments that prepare all students for success beyond the classroom.