Gaining Support for Blended Learning

In November, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit several schools that are personalizing learning for students through blended learning models. The technology allows for a flexible environment where students can learn at their own pace and in their own way. Teachers have more time to work with individuals and small groups while other students are learning content online or working on projects. After several days of visits to schools at all levels, it become clear to our team that there isn't one formula for success. Each school had a story to tell about how they had launched initiatives and then iterated or pivoted after getting feedback and analyzing results. The one common theme at each school was that everyone was on board with the initiative and committed to meeting the needs of all students. 

In an age of customization where we've come to expect personalized music, search results, reading lists, and even coffee, it seems likely that we would want the same personalization for our students. Moving from an Industrial Age educational model, however, requires compelling arguments to win over a diverse group of stakeholders. By identifying some of the most common arguments against blended learning, we can begin to build our argument for personalization through a blended model.

I Don't Have Time
"I don't have time" is a common argument against many initiatives that schools attempt to implement. The failure of the initiative is inevitable unless you can identify what time is needed and for what purpose. Preparing for blended learning takes a lot of planning time, but implementing a blended model gives teachers extra time to work with students who need additional help. Counter this argument with "how can we not find the time to help all of our students succeed?" To be successful, leadership must work to provide up front planning time for teams of teachers. Teaming allows teachers to divide and conquer when developing online content and projects.

We Don't Teach Content That Way
Why not? Just because you learned it that way doesn't mean that all of your students will benefit from the same method. Let's look at multiplication as an example. The traditional method of rote memorization can be detrimental for students who have working memory deficits. Why not give students choice in how they become fluent with multiplication? A student with memory problems might benefit from a station rotation blended model that allows them to choose an activity like lattice multiplication to help with multiplying large numbers. Other students may benefit more from an online math activity. The "one size fits all" method has never worked in education and never will.

We've Got to Prepare for the Standardized Test
The best way to prepare students for a test is to make learning relevant for them. A blended model allows students to learn at their own pace and in their own way. In a blended environment, students learn how they learn best and are accountable for mastery. Blended models provide students with frequent feedback from the teacher to keep them on track for learning goals. The new Common Core tests require students to learn 21st century skills. Blended learning creates an environment where communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creation can happen.

Parents Won't Like It
Parents who take an interest in their child's education will be excited that the teacher now has time to work individually with their child. We can use this as an excuse or we can be proactive and have parent nights to explain the program and give students a chance to showcase their learning. Use social media to share the great things happening in your classrooms.

Classroom Management Will be More Difficult
The big change is that all students will be awake. They'll be actively engaged in their own learning and that could involve purposeful movement. Isn't that better than teaching to a sleeping student or a student who's off task?

Excuses are easy and will quickly derail a new initiative like blended learning. As you prepare for blended learning in your school, be aware of potential arguments against change and move forward by setting the conditions for success with a diverse group of stakeholders. Gaining support for your initiative is the key.

Extreme Makeover for Learning

What would it take to have an extreme makeover for learning in your school? Schools that are focused on project-based learning and personalized learning face the challenge of providing students with a flexible environment that facilitates collaboration and creation. Our traditional classrooms with desks facing the front of the room are a reminder of the industrial age and this traditional setting can be a hindrance to learning. Where do you go when you want to learn something new or focus on a project? Think about your ideal learning experience. Does it involve sitting in a desk facing the front of a room? We shouldn’t expect our students to do their best work in an environment that doesn’t facilitate collaboration or movement.

When thinking about redesigning classroom space for learning, teachers face many challenges. Classroom space is limited and funding isn’t always available to purchase new furniture. There is also fear that students will be off task if they’re not visible to the teacher at all times. These challenges can be overcome by thinking differently about your space. Do you need all the desks? Are there other spaces in the school where students could work? Letting go of some control is key to getting started with a makeover.

In a recent workshop with David Bill from Notosh, David reminded our group that the learning experience defines the environment. We need to think about our users and design space that will accommodate their learning needs. What is the learning experience that you want for your students? Interview and survey your students to find out more about their learning needs. How do they learn best? Would they sit at a desk by choice? Use this information to brainstorm ways to improve their learning experience and then have students help you design classroom space to meet those needs.

Rapid prototyping will help you to redesign classroom space to meet the needs of your students. Look at your user profiles and get to work with craft materials to create a miniature classroom. Pick something from your new design to implement immediately. If you know that students need to have space for independent learning, use bookshelves or crates to make a private area for students. After implementing your new idea, observe and interview students to find out how they feel about the new space. Don’t worry if your first prototype is a failure. You haven’t done anything on a large scale yet and can easily make adjustments with your next iteration.

When you feel confident about your first attempt at designing space, keep on going. Add a new feature to your classroom and continue to ask students for feedback about the change. Once you’re on the right track, go for an extreme makeover. What would it look like if you moved everything out of your room and re-imagined your room for the learning that you want to occur? Would there be a front of the room? Do you need that big desk? Empty out your room and bring back the items that fit into the learning experience that you’ve designed. You may find that you don’t need desks for every student which will open up more space for collaboration.

By looking at your classroom through a new lens, you can redesign your classroom into a space that transforms the learning experience for your students. What will you do tomorrow?