Module Learning Targets:

• Understand what a blended learning environment is and how to implement it in the classroom

• Learn the benefits of a blended learning

Module Success Criteria:

• Articulate the importance of a blended learning environment

• Create and implement a lesson that is embedded in a chosen blended learning model

Technology continues to transform today’s classrooms. And teaching methods have changed to fit the expectations, learning styles, and interests of students. Today, blended learning is fast becoming a preferred teaching strategy for all grade levels. It's popular because it effectively combines the benefits of traditional instruction with online learning. 

By shifting some learning responsibilities away from the teacher, blended learning promotes student autonomy and ownership of learning. 

Blended learning combines classroom learning with online learning, in which students can, in part, control the time, pace, and place of their learning. I advocate a teacher-designed blended learning model, in which teachers determine the combination that's right for them and their students.

Many talented teachers, both new and experienced, are finding themselves increasingly empowered by—and excited to use—technology to create an effective blended learning environment.

Watch the video and playlist below to begin learning about implementing a blended learning environment in the classroom.

Blended Learning in the Age of AI 

As AI tools become more accessible, they offer new opportunities to enhance personalized learning within blended models. Whether you're using station rotation, flipped learning, or playlists, AI can act as a flexible assistant—helping you adjust instruction in real time or provide support between live sessions.

AI can help:

• Suggest reteach activities based on formative data
  
  

• Generate leveled practice problems for independent work
  
  

• Create multilingual versions of content for access
  
  

• Act as a just-in-time tutor (e.g., Brisk AI) in asynchronous stations
  
  

As with all technology, the key is to use AI strategically. You decide if, when, and how it fits your model—always with student learning goals in mind.

You’ll explore how to implement these tools responsibly and ethically in the AI Literacy module coming up.

Blended learning is important because it breaks down the traditional walls of teaching, ones that don’t work for all students, and now with access to present-day technologies and resources, we can tailor the learning experience for each student. Blended learning also offers flexible time frames that can be personalized to each person, offering them the ability to learn at their own pace. 

Blended learning offers flexibility in terms of availability. In other words, blended learning enables the student to access the materials from anywhere at any time while enjoying the benefits of face-to-face support and instruction. Read the article below, and familiarize yourself with some benefits of blended learning.

As blended education has become more prominent, different models of hybrid learning have developed. Choosing the blended learning model that’s right for your classroom depends on your students’ needs. You may have some students that need more attention while others are ahead of the curriculum. Click on the Models-Blended Learning Universe link below and watch the video to explore the different blended learning models. Be prepared to discuss which model(s) would work best in your classroom and why.

Now it's time to share your thinking.  Answer the following question prompt by clicking on the linked Padlet below. There is only one question to answer.  Please give a detailed response and explain your thinking.  

1. What blended learning model or models do you feel would best benefit your students based on your classroom context and why?

After learning about blended learning in the classroom, it is time to create a learning structure that incorporates this model. 

• Choose a blended learning model that best supports your class context

• Create a lesson using this lesson plan template that will be used during a blended learning block. Think about how you can use technology strategically during this blended learning block. Make sure to use one of the district-approved content creation tools found on the Edtech Tools and Best Practices Tab on our Technology Resources Website.

• Offer this lesson during a blended learning block in your Classroom

• Reflect on the outcome by completing and submitting the below Google form

Please note you do not need to create a lesson that is at the transformation technology integration level.  With your developing understanding of technology integration, decide your current technology integration comfort level, and design a lesson with that technology integration level in mind.  Once you have created the lesson plan and taught the lesson, please submit your evidence and reflection with the below Google Form