Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools

Navigate the transition to blended learning with this practical field guide Blended is the practical field guide for implementing blended learning techniques in K-12 classrooms. A follow-up to the bestseller Disrupting Class by Clayton M. Christensen, Michael Horn, and Curtis Johnson, this hands-on guide expands upon the blended learning ideas presented in that book to provide practical implementation guidance for educators seeking to incorporate online learning with traditional classroom time. Readers will find a step-by-step framework upon which to build a more student-centered system, along with essential advice that provides the expertise necessary to build the next generation of K-12 learning environments. Leaders, teachers, and other stakeholders will gain valuable insight into the process of using online learning to the greatest benefit of students, while avoiding missteps and potential pitfalls. If online learning has not already rocked your local school, it will soon. Blended learning is one of the hottest trends in education right now, and educators are clamoring for "how-to" guidance. Blended answers the call by providing detailed information about the strategy, design, and implementation of a successful blended learning program. Discover a useful framework for implementing blended learning Unlock the benefits and mitigate the risks of online learning Find answers to the most commonly asked questions surrounding blended learning Create a more student-centered system that functions as a positive force across grade levels Educators who loved the ideas presented in Disrupting Class now have a field guide to making it work in a real-world school, with expert advice for making the transition smoother for students, parents, and teachers alike. For educational leaders seeking more student-centered schools, Blended provides the definitive roadmap.

Table of Contents:
List of Videos xi Foreword xv Clayton M. Christensen Acknowledgments xxi About the Authors xxv Introduction 1 Pattern of Disruptive Innovation 2 Disruptive Innovation and Online Learning 3 The Factory-Based Model of Schooling 5 Student-Centered Learning 8 Why Schools Are Reaching a Tipping Point 11 Building a Field of Experts 17 What You’ll Find in This Book 18 PART 1 Understanding 29 1 What Is Blended Learning? 31 Online Learning’s Upward March 32 What Blended Learning Is—and Isn’t 34 Models of Blended Learning 37 Mixing of Blended Models 52 To Sum Up 53 Appendix 1.1: Discussion of Key Terms 54 Appendix 1.2: K–12 Blended-Learning Taxonomy 55 2 Are All Classrooms Going to Blend? 67 The Theory of Hybrids 69 Is Blended Learning Disruptive? 71 Hybrid Models of Blended Learning 73 Disruptive Models of Blended Learning 76 Foreseeing the K–12 Education Revolution 77 What Is to Become of Schools? 79 To Sum Up 85 PART 2 Mobilizing 93 3 Start with the Rallying Cry 95 The Alternative to Cramming 98 Defining the Problem or Stating the Goal 99 Should Leaders Focus on Sustaining or Disruptive Rallying Cries? 103 How to Identify Core Opportunities 104 How to Identify Nonconsumption Opportunities 105 Threats versus Opportunities 107 To Sum Up 109 4 Organize to Innovate 113 A Framework for Team Design 114 Applying the Team Framework to Schools 120 Using Multiple Types of Teams 129 The Cost of Getting ItWrong 130 To Sum Up 131 PART 3 Designing 135 5 Motivate the Students 137 The Importance of Student Willingness to Learn 138 The Jobs-to-Be-Done Theory 139 Students’ Jobs to Be Done 143 The Architecture of a Job 145 Fulfilling the Job for Students 146 What to Integrate, and How 152 Blended Learning’s Role in Fulfilling Student Jobs 155 The Danger of Asking Students to Change Jobs 156 To Sum Up 157 6 Elevate Teaching 169 Designing the Teacher Role from the Student Perspective 170 Designing the Teacher Role from the Teacher Perspective 176 Doing Right for Students and Teachers 181 To Sum Up 182 7 Design the Virtual and Physical Setup 189 Product Architecture and Interfaces 190 The Shift in Personal Computer Architecture 192 The Shift toward Modularity in Education 194 Integrated versus Modular Online Content 195 Integrated versus Modular Operating Systems 203 Integrated versus Modular Physical Space 205 Aligning Your Strategy to Your Circumstances 208 To Sum Up 209 Appendix 7.1: Snapshot of Online Content in Use Among K–12 Blended Programs 210 8 Choose the Model 219 Match the Model to the Type of Problem 221 Match the Model to the Type of Team 224 Match the Model to the Desired Student Experience 226 Match the Model to the Role of the Teacher 229 Match the Model to the Physical Space 232 Match the Model to the Availability of Internet-Enabled Devices 234 Prioritizing Options and Making the Selection 237 Moving toward Multiple Models 237 To Sum Up 240 Appendix 8.1: Which Blended-Learning Model Matches Your Circumstances Best? 241 PART 4 Implementing 247 9 Create the Culture 249 What Is Culture? 250 The Power of Culture for Children 252 The Power of Culture in Schools 253 How to Shape Culture 254 The Power of Culture in Blended-Learning Implementations 256 It’s Not Too Late 260 To Sum Up 261 10 Discover Your Way to Success 265 Discovery-Driven Planning 266 Start with the Outcomes 268 Create an Assumptions Checklist 269 Implement a Plan—To Learn More 273 Should We Go Forward, Change, or Shelve the Plan? 276 To Sum Up 277 11 Conclusion 281 Implement over Time 282 Blended Learning Is a Team Sport 283 Understand, Mobilize, Design, Implement 285 Appendix: Questions for Discussion 289 Index 295

About the Author :
MICHAEL B. HORN is a cofounder of and a distinguished fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute (CCI) and the former executive director of its education program. Currently, Michael serves as a principal consultant for Entangled Solutions, which offers innovation services to higher education institutions. HEATHER STAKER is the founder and president of Ready to Blend, a training and consulting firm focused on blended learning. Staker is also an adjunct fellow for the Clayton Christensen Institute.