“ Children are talking about what they’ re learning because they’ re so engaged in these digital platforms that it’ s spilling over into their conversations.”
COVER STORY
“ Children are talking about what they’ re learning because they’ re so engaged in these digital platforms that it’ s spilling over into their conversations.”
After reading the book, Ms. Qureshi, Mrs. Ricketts, and Mr. Gallo concluded that blended learning is any formal education program in which a student learns, at least in part through online learning( with some element of student control over time, place, path, and / or pace) and through supervised instruction in a brick and mortar school setting. This integrated learning experience is designed to ensure students receive the most effective amount of online instruction, one-on-one instruction, and small group instruction at the appropriate level, according to the group study.
There are several models for blended learning that schools may choose from and adapt as necessary, including rotation, flex, à la carte, and enriched virtual( see graphic on page 20). Based on what Steward currently offers students in terms of online resources and what we desire to improve upon, the group decided that the Steward model is a combination of rotation and enriched virtual— students spend some time accessing resources and learning with online tools, but all students attend face-to-face classes.
“ As a result of our study, we concluded that we will never give up the brick and mortar component of our school,”
Mrs. Ricketts said.“ At Steward, we embrace the idea of community and being able to form meaningful relationships between teachers and students. We enjoy that face-to-face warmth and feeling of belonging. We also value our athletics and arts programs, for which you can’ t get the full benefit if you’ re only offering through a digital platform.”
With this idea in mind, the group worked with Mr. Frank to analyze all the ways Steward is promoting blended learning already. There were a variety of programs in use that students have become accustomed to, such as Accelerated Reader, IXL Math, IXL Language, Spelling City, Newsela, and Quizlet.“ The study helped us realize that we were already using many online tools, and this gave us the opportunity to really look at them, break them down, and see how they are implemented in different ways,” Ms. Qureshi said.“ It helped us realize that we are on our way there.”
At the same time, the group established that they could incorporate further offerings to benefit students with a strategic approach in mind. For Lower School, it meant the addition of several online programs that allow for personalization for students and involvement with teachers and parents. For Middle and Upper School, it meant the
18 | The Colonnade