Introduction to Online and Blended Learning

Definition

Online and blended learning has grown dramatically in all levels of education over the past decade, creating countless new opportunities for students and educators, and, in most cases, demonstrating improved student outcomes. The national education landscape for K-12 includes many variations and definitions of online and blended learning such as hybrid learning, flex modeling, rotation stations, distance learning, virtual and cyber schools.

In 2016, the Garnet Valley School District created a Blended Learning Committee whose goals were to create a shared definition of blended learning for the district and to also help decide certain criteria for a course to be piloted using a blended format. The definition below was created by the Blended Learning Committee and shared throughout the school district to help clarify and define the term.

"Blended learning combines the best of traditional instruction with online and digital media to increase student engagement, maximize teachers’ time with students, and deliver personalized learning. Blended learning empowers students to take ownership of their education by providing some control over time, place, path, or pace while affording our teachers more opportunities to meet with students for more individualized instruction."

History of Online and Blended Learning

Over a century, we have witnessed the gradual evolution of online and blended learning — from correspondence and VHS courses, to internet-based applications to now mobile apps. Early distance learning programs created educational opportunities for rural students where brick-and-mortar schools were geographically unreachable.. Many schools took steps towards distance learning with credit recovery programs, first on CD-ROMS and then online using a computer-based instructional approach. As technology and broadband access improved, online programs expanded to meet the needs of home school students, adult learners, advanced students seeking academic challenges beyond their brick-and-mortar school catalog and student-athletes seeking flexibility. School districts are now finding ways to leverage their technology investments to provide flexibility, options and to better personalize the learning experience for all students.

Online and Blended Learning at Garnet Valley

Online Learning

In 2015, the Garnet Valley School District created eSchool@GarnetValley to provide the resources and flexibility for our students who learn best in either a full or part-time digital environment. eSchool@Garnet Valley continues to offer a wide range of digital courses and curriculum. Students may complete their courses in the Garnet Valley eSchool Studio, computer labs, at home, or other locations with internet access. All eSchool courses are facilitated by Garnet Valley School District teachers and supported by state-aligned Apex Learning digital curriculum. Several different options for course work are available, as well as various academic levels. Students may work at their own pace as long as they meet established deadlines. The flexibility of digital curriculum allows for greater variation in implementation and design. Since its creation, eSchool@GarnetValley has served over 100+ students in grades 6-12.

Blended Learning

Feedback and survey results from eSchool@GarnetValley teachers, parents, and students included the need for students to meet more often with their classroom teacher, the need to interact more with other Garnet Valley students, and the need for a more personalized curriculum. The result was the creation of a Blended Learning Committee which included all district stakeholders including district and building administration, teachers, parents, and students. The goals of the Blended Learning Committee were to create a shared definition (see above) and to also help decide certain criteria for a course to be piloted using a blended format. From the work of the committee, the district was able to pilot one course (US History 11) at Garnet Valley High School in the 2017-2018 school year with an expectation to expand the format to other courses and content areas in the years to come. Survey results from the teacher and students who participated in the blended course pilot are below. While the pilot only offered a small sample size, we are confident that with the expertise of our faculty and support from our administration, all students can be successful when given options and flexibility in their learning.