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 5-8
RePublic Schools
CS for All
The CS for All model enables all middle-school students to access high-quality computer science so that they can pursue computer science courses in high school and beyond.
Grades 5-8
RePublic Schools
CS for All
The RePublic Computer Science for All Program (CS for All) is dedicated to changing what’s possible for all students by providing computer science as a stand-alone subject to every middle school student and preparing them for higher-level computer science courses and certifications. Through access to a high-quality computer science curriculum and high-quality instruction and experiences, the program prepares scholars to be successful now and in the future. Students build technical skills in programming and computer literacy as well as soft skills like leadership, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, a strong work ethic, flexibility/adaptability, and interpersonal skills. CS for All prepares scholars to seek a degree in computer science, or any other degree, and pursue a career in a computer science field.
RePublic’s free vertically K-12 aligned Computer Science program is adaptable, allows for student choice, and is aligned to the AP Computer Science Principles curriculum. In the 5th–8th grade program, which is featured here, teachers get online self-paced professional development and have an option to pay for in–person training. This entry focuses on RePublic’s middle-school program. RePublic also offers curricular resources for elementary and high-school students. RePublic Schools Computer Science Overview
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 10-12
National Education Equity Lab
Ed Equity Lab provides access to college credit-bearing courses from top universities to level the playing field for high-achieving students from historically underserved communities.
Grades 10-12
National Education Equity Lab
The National Education Equity Lab (Ed Equity Lab) is an education justice nonprofit committed to closing the opportunity gap and leveling the playing field for high-achieving students from historically underserved communities at scale. It does this by delivering college credit-bearing courses from top colleges and universities in teacher-supported high school classrooms nationwide at no cost to students. After successfully completing the course, scholars earn three widely transferable college credits and a transcript from the offering institution. Ed Equity Lab exclusively provides this opportunity to Title I and Title I-eligible high schools.
Students in the Ed Equity Lab take college credit-bearing courses taught by a professor at a top university with the support of a near-peer Teaching Fellow from the university, an on-site co-teacher, and a cohort of their peers. Through this experience, students not only gain college credits, making college more accessible and affordable, but they also develop college-going skills, confidence in their ability to pursue a college pathway, and a positive, affirmed identity as someone who belongs in higher education.
Ed Equity Lab began this work in 2019 with a single Harvard humanities course and now reaches more than 300 schools and 20,000 scholars in 31 states in urban and rural communities.
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 - Algebra 1
New Classrooms
Teach to One
Teach to One’s personalized pathways tailor math instruction to each student’s unique strengths and needs.
Grades 4 - Algebra 1
New Classrooms
Teach to One
Teach to One recognizes that math is cumulative, and students must master foundational skills before progressing to more advanced topics. And the best path to proficiency in math is a personalized one.
Teach to One assesses students’ math skills to create a tailored pathway to learn those skills. Using skill-focused differentiated math resources and real-time data and analytics, teachers can meet students where they are to help get them to where they need to be. Serving students from grades 4 through Algebra 1, Teach to One helps build conceptual, procedural, and application-based knowledge using modalities that work best for them. Students demonstrate competency, progressing at their own pace, fostering a deeper understanding and mastery of mathematical concepts.
Teach to One’s legacy learning model, Teach to One 360, enabled personalized learning in core math classes. Adapted from Teach to One 360, Teach to One Roadmaps is the latest iteration that enables the same individualized approach using an adaptive platform. Teach to One Roadmaps is a supplemental program that supports core instruction and seamlessly integrates Tier 1 and Tier 2 instruction, making it adaptable for a variety of learning environments, including intervention and tutoring.
Teach to One has reached more than 300 classrooms across 32 states. For schools seeking to adopt this program, Teach to One Roadmaps provides a comprehensive product solution that includes robust implementation support to ensure success.
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.