Blended Learning in Action: A Practical Guide Toward Sustainable Change(Corwin Teaching Essentials)

Shift to blended learning to transform education Blended learning has the power to reinvent education, but transitioning to a blended model is challenging. Blended learning requires a fundamentally new approach to learning as well as a new skillset for both teachers and school leaders. Loaded with research, examples, and resources, Blended Learning in Action demonstrates the advantages a blended model has over traditional instruction when technology is used to engage students both inside the classroom and online. Readers will find: Breakdowns of the most effective classroom setups for blended learning Guidelines to build a blended learning toolbox of tech and resources Tips for leaders Ideas for personalizing and differentiating instruction using technology Strategies for managing devices in classrooms and schools Study questions to facilitate professional development and deeper learning Written with system-wide transformation in mind, this is the resource teachers and leaders need to help them shift to a blended learning model and transform education for today′s learning environment.   "The time for blended learning is now and the place is ALL classrooms throughout the country. This book provides educators with essential information and practices that will prepare students for the 21st Century." Kim Weber, 4th Grade Teacher Mandell School, New York, NY "This book is different. It is deeper and more serious about creating the change students deserve than most others. The fact that each and every chapter starts out with a student′s perspective confirms that it is built on a vital pedagogical foundation." Brad Gustafson, Principal and Author of Renegade Leadership Greenwood Elementary, Wayzata, MN

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors Introduction PART 1. SHIFTING TO A BLENDED CULTURE Chapter 1. Going Blended to Meet the World Scaling Blended Learning Transformation Clearing Up Blended Learning Confusion It Starts With Culture A Blended Learning Culture Where the World Is Going: Our Students Are Already There Wrapping It Up Book Study Questions Chapter 2. Getting Started Phase 1: Building the Foundation Stage 1: Engagement and Vision–Cohesion of Vision and Pedagogy Stage 2: Assess–What Is Our Starting Point? Links to the Classroom: Participating in Discussions About Mindset Stage 3: Planning and Design Stage 4: Pre-Pilot Identifying and Enlisting Pre-Pilot Teachers Links to the Classroom: Engaging Student Voice in Pre-Pilots Wrapping It Up Book Study Questions Chapter 3. The Blended Learning Elements of Effectiveness The Elements Described Cohesion of Vision and Pedagogy Capacity Building Links to the Classroom: Building Student Capacity Technology Utilization Links to the Classroom: Getting Creative With Limited Resources Data Management and Usage Student Ownership Wrapping It Up Book Study Questions Chapter 4. Preparing Teachers for Blended Instruction What Works in Professional Development Guiding Principle of Blended Learning Professional Development #1: As the Student, So the Teacher (CHOMP) Links to the Classroom: Help Students Connect Hands-On Learning Ongoing Learning Mindset Shifts: Start With the Why Not the What Personalize Choice, Differentiation, Pace, and Skills Links to the Classroom: What Are Your Strengths Now? Guiding Principle of Blended Learning Professional Development #2: Differentiate to Cross the Chasm Wrapping It Up Book Study Questions PART 2. BLENDED LEARNING TOOLBOX Chapter 5. Devices and Digital Tools Different Tools for a Different Generation Building Blocks of a Digital Classroom Links to Leadership: Supporting an Iterative Practice Productivity and Collaboration Environments Learning Management Systems Links to Leadership: Access to Technology Links to Leadership: Professional Development Building Technology Toolboxes to Promote Technology Fluency Deciding on the Right Device Which Funding Model Is the Best Fit? Links to Leadership: Engage Stakeholder Voices Mobile Devices Tablets Chromebooks Laptops Finding the Right Tool Stay Connected and Keep Learning Wrapping It Up Book Study Questions Chapter 6. Digital Curriculum What Is Digital Curriculum? Types of Digital Curriculum What Are the Benefits of Digital Curriculum? How Can Digital Curriculum Foster Student Ownership? What Are the Challenges of Using Digital Curriculum? How Do I Select the Right Digital Curriculum? Links to Leadership: Helping Teachers Select the Best-Fit Digital Curriculum Build Capacity Through Committees Engage Students as Owners via Student Input Build Capacity Through Professional Development Digital Curriculum and the Planning Process Organizing and Sharing Digital Curriculum Links to Leadership: Helping Teams Plan Together Digital Curriculum in Blended Learning Models Whole-Group Rotation Digital Curriculum Integration Station Rotation Digital Curriculum Integration Flipped Class Digital Curriculum Integration Wrapping It Up Book Study Questions Chapter 7. Assessment in a Blended Environment What Do We Really Mean by Assessment? What Drives Student Learning? Reading and Responding to the Data Narrative Links to Leadership: Tools and Time for Managing Data Maximizing the LMS Beyond Grades and Data Making It Personal Leading and Learning With Formative Assessment How Can Formative Assessment Foster Student Ownership? What Are the Challenges of Assessment in the Blended Environment? Wrapping It Up Book Study Questions Chapter 8. Onboarding and Supporting Students Why Do We Need to Onboard “Digital Natives”? What Do We Mean by Onboarding? Onboarding Through Effective Backward Design Links to Leadership: Establishing a Schoolwide Onboarding Practice Build Capacity Through Student Trailblazers and Buddy Programs Engage Students in Peer Support Systems Embracing Teachable Moments Wrapping It Up Book Study Questions PART 3. BLENDED LEARNING: EXPLORING CLASSROOM MODELS Chapter 9. Station Rotation Model What Is the Station Rotation Model? What Are the Benefits of the Station Rotation Model? Station Rotation Model Can Take Many Forms Links to Leadership: Access to Technology Planning a Station Rotation Lesson Station Rotation Lesson Template Links to Leadership: Helping Teachers to Meet and Overcome Challenges Building Capacity Additional Staffing or Parent Volunteers Tip for Designing a Station Rotation: Go Horizontal With Your Traditional Agenda Design a Station Rotation to Target a Specific Skill What Are Some of the Challenges Associated With the Station Rotation Model? Logistical Concerns Grouping Strategies What Is the Teacher’s Role During a Station Rotation Lesson? Wrapping It Up Book Study Questions Chapter 10. Whole Group Rotation: A Modern Spin on the Lab Rotation What Is the Whole Group Rotation? What Are the Benefits of the Whole Group Rotation? Designing a Whole Group Rotation Lesson Whole Group Rotation: Sample Lessons Whole Group Rotation: Drag-and-Drop Lesson Template What Are Some of the Challenges Associated With the Whole Group Rotation? Links to Leadership: Access to Technology Logistical Concerns How can I make sure students are on task during online work? How can I make time to work one-on-one with students? Wrapping It Up Book Study Questions Chapter 11. The Flipped Classroom What Is the Flipped Classroom? What Are the Benefits of the Flipped Classroom? Designing a Flipped Classroom Lesson Step 1: Pique Interest, Drive Inquiry, or Assess Previous Knowledge Step 2: Flip and Engage Online Step 3: Design Student-Centered Application Activities Example of a Flipped Vocabulary Lesson Flipping With Different Types of Media Flipping With Text Flipping With Images Flipping With Video Flip AND Engage Links to Leadership: Access to Technology Producing and Publishing Your own Flipped Videos Step 1: Creating Content Step 2: Recording Videos or Screencasts Step 3: Exporting to YouTube or a Video Hosting Site Links to Leadership: Building Capacity What Are Some of the Challenges Associated With the Flipped Classroom? In-Class Flip Wrapping It Up Book Study Questions Chapter 12. Other Models and Possibilities Individualized Models and Possibilities Individual Rotations and Playlists Defined Links to Leadership: Managing Technology Platforms What Are the Benefits of the Individual Playlist Model? Designing and Supporting Individual Playlists Building Community What Is the Teacher’s Role During an Individual Playlist Experience? Links to Leadership: Helping Teachers to Facilitate Learning A La Carte Model Defined How Do Schools Select Course Providers for A La Carte Integration? Links to Leadership: Logistics of A La Carte Learning What Are the Benefits of the A La Carte Model? Designing and Supporting A La Carte Links to Leadership: Role Definition and Policy Building Capacity Through Onsite Facilitator Training and Networking Beyond the Models Wrapping It Up Book Study Questions PART 4. BLENDED LEARNING: THE ROADMAP TO PERSONALIZATION Chapter 13. The Roadmap to Personalization The Path Forward to Personalization Phase 2: Transitions Phase 3: Expansion Achieving Sustainability The Responsibility of Teaching “They” Wrapping It Up Book Study Questions References Index

About the Author :
Catlin Tucker is a Google Certified Innovator, bestselling author, international trainer, and frequent Edtech speaker, who teaches in Sonoma County where she was named Teacher of the Year in 2010. Catlin’s books Blended Learning in Grades 4-12 and Blended Learning in Action are both bestsellers. She has also written a book titled Creatively Teach the Common Core Literacy Standards with Technology to support teachers in thinking outside of the box as they shift to the Common Core. Catlin is working on her doctorate at Pepperdine University. She writes the “Techy Teacher” column for ASCD’s Educational Leadership. She is active on Twitter @Catlin_Tucker and writes an internationally ranked education blog at CatlinTucker.com. Tiffany Wycoff is an innovative school leader with a specialization in blended learning and school technology integration. She was an early adopter of blended learning at the K-12 level, teaching and leading in both online and face-to-face setting. Tiffany has served as a school leader at Grandview Preparatory School in Florida and The Mandell School in New York, helping both schools establish technology rich learning environments and to incorporate blended learning models into the academic program. She has presented on blended learning and the use of social media in education at conferences and universities, and has helped other schools transform their programs through blended learning implementation. Tiffany collaborated on the design and development of the Redbird Professional Learning Platform which provides online professional development to teachers and leaders. She holds a BA in Elementary Education and a MA in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University, and an Executive MS in Technology Management from Columbia University. Tiffany writes an educational leadership blog at www.TeachOntheEdge.com and is active on Twitter @TeachOnTheEdge. Inspired by his youth development and nonprofit work as a student at Morehouse College, Jason Green has dedicated his career to creating positive change in education. As a member of the leadership team with Redbird Advanced Learning, Jason partnered with Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education to re-envision professional learning. He led the design of the Redbird Professional Learning Platform which now helps prepare thousands of teachers globally for 21st century learning. Jason has traveled nationally and internationally to help schools and districts build cultures of innovation and adapt to education’s changing landscape. Jason has spoken at leading universities and conferences including Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, NCSM and iNACOL and has been featured in the Miami Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer, and NBC. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College, Jason is driven by the belief that all children have a right to a high-quality education. Jason holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and an M.S. Ed from University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Jason has served as an adjunct professor and a board member for various nonprofits. Connect with Jason on Twitter @jasontoddgreen.

Review :
"The time for blended learning is now and the place is ALL classrooms throughout the country. This book provides educators with essential information and practices that will prepare students for the 21st Century." "The authors make blended learning come alive with the use of  practical examples and resources beneficial to all school leaders and teachers ready to elevate student learning." "This book is an excellent tool for administrators and educators who would like to learn more about implementing or improving a successful blended learning program in their school or district. It provides step-¬by-¬step instructions as well as anecdotes from actual educators who have experienced the implementation process themselves." "Blended Learning in Action will lead to deep discussion with teachers and school leaders on how to move forward with an action plan to link modern and fresh teaching practices in the classroom to technology, while also helping to create rewarding classroom environment." "Blended Learning in Action is an incredibly thoughtful read that builds a case for the urgent changes needed in schools today. Authors Tucker, Green, and Wycoff bring incredible expertise and passion to this book. It artfully describes the importance of blended learning playing a central role in this revolution coming to education as we know it. Blended Learning in Action is a great road map that balances research and practice for teachers, leaders, and learners." "This book is different. It is deeper and more serious about creating the change students deserve than most others. Blended Learning in Action is a deep dive into what, why, and how blended learning can be meaningfully implemented and scaled.  The purposeful integration of multiple stakeholder perspectives throughout the book was masterful.  The fact that each and every chapter of Blended Learning in Action started out with a student′s perspective confirms that it is built on a vital pedagogical foundation." "Whether you are a district, school, or classroom education leader, Blended Learning in Action will take you through the pedagogy, tools, curriculum and lesson design strategies, and practical classroom models to start transforming learning for your students. The best part of this book is that it can provide educators with innovative ideas whether they are just considering going blended, ready to take the plunge, or have already gone blended and are looking for more inspiration. Don′t miss the chance to move your classroom, school, or district forward by creating a culture shift and following through with the school-wide and classroom practices that have been tested by educators."