Customization
Modalities customize learning for every student based on data, student choice, and teacher skill.
Overview
Blended learning combines, or blends, traditional face-to-face instruction with digital, online learning. Students often have access to one-to-one technology or computer labs, where they spend anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour of their class time working on digital platforms or on digital work. In addition to integrating online learning, blended learning models often mix additional instructional formats, called modalities, that personalize learning for students. Modalities commonly include the following:
- Online Learning – Students use online learning software to work independently in the classroom or computer lab.
- Small Group Instruction – The teacher provides targeted instruction to a small group of students.
- Peer Learning – Students work together (on- or offline) to learn, work on projects, and create work products.
- Independent Learning – Students work alone to learn, work on projects, create work products, and undertake assessments.
- Goal Conferencing – Students set goals and discuss progress with teachers or peers.
- Tutoring – Students work with a peer or a tutor to learn, work on projects, and create work products.
Leveraging various modalities in a single class session can help teachers tailor learning to young people’s individual needs, as well as put them in greater control of their learning. The degree of tailoring and student control varies depending on the specific approach to blended learning that is adopted by a community. While there are many possible approaches to blended learning models, three are most common in K-12 schools:
Station Rotation – Students rotate through stations on a fixed schedule, with each student visiting each station for the same amount of time. Often used in one class period or learning block.
Individual Rotation – Students rotate through stations individually and on a fixed schedule where students may or may not experience every station. Often used within a longer learning block.
Flex – Students learn through self-paced, online, personalized playlists and have greater autonomy over the sequencing of learner tasks. This model benefits from longer learning blocks or dedicated days.
What Makes This Innovative?
Rigorous Learning
Online learning leverages high-quality content that meets the unique needs of learners.
Anytime, Anywhere Learning
Tech-enriched tools afford students more flexibility in when and where they learn.
Blended Learning Models on the Exchange
The blended learning models on The Innovative Models Exchange utilize a variety of approaches to blending modalities.
Grades PK-Higher Ed
Modern Classrooms Project
Modern Classrooms Project empowers educators to meet every learner’s needs through its blended, self-paced, mastery-based instructional model.
Grades PK-Higher Ed
Modern Classrooms Project
Modern Classrooms Project empowers educators with their innovative instructional model to ensure all learners are appropriately challenged and supported every day. The instructional model has three components: blended instruction, self-pacing, and mastery-based learning. Implementation of the model fosters strong learner–teacher relationships, builds critical learning strategies that underpin self-direction, increases confidence and love of learning, and increases content mastery. The model also leverages technology and is best implemented in contexts where educators have support to innovate and reimagine instruction.
Modern Classrooms Project has reached over 53,000 educators in 169 countries. In order to support implementation, they offer resource toolkits, professional development, one-on-one coaching and consulting, and cohort learning communities, to equip educators with the skills, resources, and community required to sustain and improve upon this customized instructional approach. Modern Classrooms Project Podcast Excellence in Classroom Innovation
Grades 7-12
Intrinsic Schools
PODs
PODs flex time, space, and people to provide opportunities for deeper and broader learning that is more personalized to achieve stronger and more equitable outcomes.
Grades 7-12
Intrinsic Schools
PODs
Recognizing that every student is different, Intrinsic designed PODs to flexibly leverage time, space, staff, and technology to meet students where they are and encourage independence. PODs involve big, flexible classrooms that allow teachers and students to make class exactly what it needs to be every day. Each POD has three teachers and upwards of 60 students, who rotate among teacher-led instruction, independent learning time, small-group work, and project-based learning – all based on the individual needs of each student. Instruction in PODs is coupled with self-reflection and goal-setting to support students as they build a solid academic foundation and engage in work that closely mirrors postsecondary expectations, while fostering independence and agency.
PODs are implemented in Intrinsic’s two Chicago campuses serving 1800+ students. There, they strive to accelerate growth among all learners, as measured on NWEA MAP and the P/SAT Suite of Assessments. Intrinsic offers school visits and a resource toolkit to other schools interested in implementing the PODs model.
Grades 4-12
Gradient Learning
Summit Learning
The Summit Learning program is a research-based approach to teaching and learning designed to drive student engagement, more meaningful learning, and strong student–teacher relationships that prepare students for life beyond the classroom.
Grades 4-12
Gradient Learning
Summit Learning
Summit Learning is a comprehensive program offered by educator-led nonprofit Gradient Learning. In Summit Learning classrooms, teachers deliver dynamic lessons to the whole class, small groups, or one-on-one. Recognizing that each child is unique, educators teach in ways that ensure each student gains knowledge and develops lifelong learning skills on the timeline and in the ways that they learn best, from small group support, to group projects, to mentoring. This comprehensive model includes a platform through which students can access hands-on, real-world tasks and activities, take assessments, monitor feedback, and track their learning progress. The model is grounded in learning science and is adaptable for grades 4 through 12 across all core disciplines.
Summit Learning is implemented in 400 schools reaching 85,000 students where they experience an increase in academic scores, cognitive skills, and relevance in learning, as well as positive personal and interpersonal skills. Gradient Learning offers resource toolkits, professional development, and one-on-one coaching and consulting to schools interested in implementing the model.
Resources from Transcend and Beyond
The following resources can help deepen your understanding of blended learning and support the design and implementation of a high-quality model, whether it’s one from The Innovative Models Exchange or one your community designs.
Blended Learning Overview
Transcend
This primer summarizes research findings and provides implementation guidance on various blended learning models, such as station rotation, individual rotation, and flex. It also includes school examples.
Blended Learning Universe
The Clayton Christensen Institute
The BLU is a comprehensive blended learning hub that makes resources, research, curated programs, and implementation strategies easily accessible for anyone seeking to start their journey to personalized, student-centered learning.
Blended Learning Resources & Guidance
The Learning Accelerator
TLA’s Blended and Personalized Learning at Work is an open-access information hub that summarizes research findings and observed school-based practices and tools. This resource is example-rich and includes many downloadable artifacts and multimedia as well as guidance around implementation.
Modern Classroom Essentials
Modern Classrooms Project
Modern Classroom Essentials is a free online course that allows teachers to explore strategies, practices, and templates that to use in their own classrooms. In the five module course, participants will learn proven techniques, hear from real teachers and access free materials.
Personalized Learning Toolbox
Dallas Independent School District
The PL Toolbox is a non-evaluative coaching and development tool for Dallas ISD teachers and leaders that ensures district alignment on personalized learning implementation. This resource functions as implementation guidance and includes videos, scaffolded observation tools, and rubrics for educators.