Digital Learning
Digital Learning
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Digital Learning, also referred to as Integrated Learning or Blended Learning, is used to enhance our instructional approach, uniting digital tools to create meaningful and personalized pathways for students. This approach allows flexibility in content delivery, instructional design, and learning environments, ensuring that every learner can engage in ways that best support their growth.
The hallmarks of Digital Learning include autonomy, mastery, purpose with creativity and authentic audience, and peer interaction. Digital Learning requires shifts in instruction and allows for the student to take control of their learning with the use of technology with a focus on future-ready skills, digital citizenship, and life-long learning.
There are several models of Digital Learning to use in the classroom, including the Station Rotation Model, Whole Group Rotation, and Flipped Learning.
Station Rotation Model
Station Rotation Model
What is it?
Students rotate through learning stations with at least one station using online learning. This model is very similar to centers used in primary schools.
What are the benefits?
Creates smaller learning communities within the classroom
Student-centered
Students control pace
Varied tasks and activities allow students to engage in different ways
Physical rotation increases engagement
Incorporates different learning modalities
Teachers can work individually with students
Small group instruction in teacher-led station
Can tailor support and feedback to student needs
Stations could incorporate the following ideas:
Teacher-Led Station
Differentiated instruction
Reteaching prior to retake
Extensions to material
Targeted instruction (based on data)
Hands-On or Visual Model Activities
Real-time Feedback
Offline Station(s)
Project-based activities
Small group discussions
Active reading
Individual writing
Manipulatives
Online Station(s)
Adaptive software (e.g., Khan Academy, i-Ready)
Creation using Google Slides, Book Creator, etc. (w/student collaboration)
Virtual field trips or scavenger hunt
In-class flip
Online research
Whole Group Rotation
Whole Group Rotation
What is it?
Students do not physically move, but the whole class moves through a series of both online and offline activities together.
What are the benefits?
Integrates online learning
Student-centered
Differentiated
Students control pace
Less movement around room
Saves time
May follow social distancing guidelines better
Teachers can work individually with students
Provide scaffolding
Opportunities for real-time feedback
Flipped Learning
Flipped Learning
What is it?
Students use online learning (often video instruction, but can include other forms like sketch notes, comic strips, text, etc.) outside of the class to gain knowledge about a topic. Students apply their knowledge in class using offline and/or online learning the following day. The flipped lesson can be used in the classroom as well and can be used as one of the stations in the Station Rotation Model (see below for more information).
What are the benefits?
Self-paced learning
Students can rewatch lesson
More time to process concepts
Student-centered
Class-time focus is on application
Students can work collaboratively
More formative assessment
Feedback from video lesson
Opportunities for real-time feedback
Flipped Learning in the Station Rotation Model
Many teachers do not assign homework or may worry that if students do not complete the "flipped" homework, the students will not be prepared for the next class. One solution is to use the Station Rotation Model with one of the stations as an "in-class flip." At that station, students engage with the flipped material. If the information in the flipped station is needed for the application station, leave a blank station immediately before the flipped station, as shown in the animation to the right.
Additional Sources:
Bell, Kasey. Blended Learning with Google. Shake Up Learning, 2020
Eaton, Michele. The Perfect Blend: a Practical Guide to Designing Student-Centered Learning Experiences. International Society for Technology in Education, 2020.
Tucker, Catlin R., et al. Blended Learning in Action: a Practical Guide toward Sustainable Change. Corwin, 2017.
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