By: Jackie Bittner
Promote Student Agency Using a Flex Model of Blended Learning
Introduction
As an educator in today’s world, we certainly have our work cut out for us. The times are challenging, the teaching paradigm has shifted, and students need a change in their education. It is no longer enough to just have a traditional classroom environment, like in the past, since technology seems to be growing rapidly with our future. Blended learning is a way to combine both in-person learning with online learning. We shouldn’t have just one environment over the other because we now have the ability to merge both ways of learning so that we can get the best of two worlds. In a blended learning community, “students are empowered and responsible for doing the thinking in the classroom and own the process of learning” (Lowak, 2022). Currently, teachers struggle with how to support every student since most students are not yet self-directed learners, as they rely heavily on the teacher to not only teach everything, but then to tell them what to do next. This is a major concern in our society where students do not know how to take a genuine interest in their own education to become better, or more efficient learners. “They don’t have enough options or choice in how their own educational journeys go, leaving them in learning traffic that doesn’t let them move as fast” (Bruno, 2022). This literature review will explore how incorporating blended learning into our classrooms can enhance online learning, small group instruction, and collaborative project based learning by personalizing each student’s needs, and learning modes.
Online Learning in a Blended Classroom
Blended learning is an innovative, educational approach that comes in many forms, and styles. One of these is called the flex model, and can be used in a classroom setting to provide students with a more personalized learning experience. A flex model approach of blended learning is a strategic framework that allows students to “alternate between online learning and face-to-face formats” (Horn & Staker, 2015).This educational setting gives students a choice in the materials that they are learning, and provides an individualized academic path where they take ownership of their work by completing things in a self-paced manner, or timeframe, with different sources, such as in the classroom, or through a digital system, and using their own voice to share about their authentic learning experiences with others by relaying real world concepts, and problem solving skills. “Students remember just 10% of what they read from academic texts” (Schenk, 2023). This integrated approach gives students the freedom to be engaged and motivated in their learning because it is flexible, adaptable, and effective to their own learning needs. This is beneficial to a student, not only in their current year, but for their future success in life because they gain solid knowledge and understanding through different platforms, and applying digital tools. Using a Learning Management System as a digital format for online learning can be an advantage to every student’s educational journey by supporting collaboration, flexibility, and personalized learning. Also, as educators, we will benefit because it allows for increased engagement, easy tracking and reporting, and improved assessment. We need to use “a technology infrastructure that allows students to select and manage their own learning plans, and demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge” (Staker, 2015). An article titled The Pros and Cons of Learning Management Systems discusses how an LMS “gives students access to learning material in one place from any device and the ability to return to the content as needed,” which allows for unlimited access to the digital materials, and can add benefits to the time, place, pace, and path that the student requires for their own, unique learning. A learning management system can be adjusted and customized to fit the learners needs. It has the ability to track the progress of each learner, and help the teacher identify content that the student is progressing, or lacking in. This article also states that LMS provides a social learning experience, and has “the functionality to collaborate with other users during the learning process.” Learning management systems allow for all the learning to be consolidated in one place for each student to go through, and if there is group work, then a student can be assigned different learning material, based on what they need, or their role in the group, or activity. It is a design that gets everyone on the same page, yet allows them to learn in a different way, and becomes specific to their learning interests, and goals.
Personalized Instruction in a Blended Classroom
Creating a nurturing environment where students feel valued and heard is a way to overcome challenges, and support individualized, one on one attention to the student from the teacher. “Small group instruction is a teaching strategy that involves breaking the classroom into smaller groups, allowing for more focused and personalized learning experiences” (Torgerson, 2023). It has the ability to boost student learning and engagement. This is a way for teachers to build stronger student teacher relationships by spending more one on one time with their students, and learning about their strengths and weaknesses. Teachers are able to offer more attention to individual students, and help improve learning outcomes. When small group instruction is included in a classroom, it allows for more flexibility, to support students on their personal needs, and “teachers can utilize a variety of instructional strategies, such as inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, or problem-solving activities” (Torgerson, 2023). A benefit of small group instruction is that teachers can assess a student’s understanding, and provide immediate, real-time feedback. Most importantly, this will allow students to share ideas, work together, and learn from one another. ”Small group instruction benefits teachers, but its biggest benefits accrue to students” (Francis, 2022). Some of the benefits mentioned are: increased collaboration among students, provides individualized instruction on a smaller scale, increases student engagement, opportunities for personalized feedback, and boosts student self confidence. “Students who learn in small groups are engaged in what they learn, empowered to ask questions and help one another, and have the opportunity to grasp material at a pace that works for them” (Francis, 2022). And, when students and teachers are working towards a common goal, then that is a win-win situation for all that are involved in the learning process. Not only will the student openly communicate with the teacher, but will also have a chance to talk to their peers about what they are learning, and reflect on their own understanding of the concepts in a way that fits them personally. An Edmentum article titled Realizing The Magic That Is Small Group Instruction states, “There’s something so special about watching light bulbs go off up close when you’re zeroing in on specific gaps in learning or pre-teaching a new concept inside your latest small-group session.”
Project Based Learning in a Blended Classroom
Students can use collaborative project based learning to give them options to different learning activities that are aligned with their preferences. These collaborative project based learning opportunities can be physical or digital and include various activities around a particular subject area for students to complete in a self paced timeframe. Project based learning promotes creative thinking, and can be aligned with specific learning outcomes, or real world experiences. “Providing students with a menu of optional assignments allows them to reinforce, practice, and learn content in a way that is more aligned with their interests” (Moore, 2018). There are many benefits to using project based learning in the classroom, some of which are increasing student engagement, providing differentiated instruction, improving student motivation, and promoting creativity, and problem solving skills. “A project-based learning environment builds into a student the ability to not only excel on their own, but to also excel as part of a group, or more specifically, a community” (Buckler, 2019). The teacher can explain clear guidelines, and expectations for the students to follow when choosing a project based activity to work on. Teachers can monitor students’ progress, and help those that need it. Students can receive specific instructions as to what the requirements to the activity are, and once the activity is fully completed, teachers can allow the student time to reflect on what they created. There are a wide range of project based learning opportunities that allow a student to be unique, and innovative. Overall, project based learning offers students a choice in their learning, and even allows students to focus on areas that they need to work on. This makes learning personable, and specific to the learner. Teachers can enable students to make choices in the projects that they want to do, then change them up, as learners provide feedback as to what worked, or didn’t work for them. We no longer thrive in a one size fits all mentality, but rather, a custom designed fit, that is meaningful, purposeful, and specific to the needs of a certain learner. A way to reflect on what you have learned from your work is by showing or teaching it to someone else, and by using your voice to communicate, or share your knowledge and understanding. Therefore, after a student learns from direct instruction, works through online assignments, or project based learning opportunities, and is at a place where they feel satisfied, and complete with their work, they can use their voice to share in different ways. For learners, having a voice in what you do permits you to share with classmates, parents, or teachers. It gives you the ability to verbalize what you have learned, by actually putting it in your own words, to reflect on the work that you have done, and the knowledge that has been gained through the learning process. Authentic learning is the link between what a student is expected to learn at their current level, and what they should know in their futures. Learning is “a relatively lasting change in behavior that is the result of experience. It is the acquisition of information, knowledge, and skills” (Cherry, 2022).
Summary
In summary, to have a better tomorrow, we need to take steps towards a change in today because “knowledge is a great gift, but teaching students to be learning centered is a gift that keeps on giving” (Moore, 2018). As a learning community, we can switch up how we do things, and what we guide our students to do. Blended learning and student agency go hand in hand, but they don’t just happen naturally on their own. At first, it can take some time, and require teacher guidance. The teacher will facilitate instruction, and learning, and the classroom will change from teacher led, to student led. Using technology in a student directed environment creates an integrated learning environment that supports a personalized learning journey, and can be a winning solution for all. “When the COVA approach is combined with CSLE, you get a significant learning environment which takes into account all the key elements essential to effective active learning” (Harapnuik, 2018). By using an LMS, having small group instruction, and providing project based learning opportunities, we can implement a CSLE+COVA framework and incorporate a flex model of a blended learning environment into our classrooms that will support student agency.
References
Bruno, J. (2021, October). How to build student agency in your classroom. NWEA. https://www.nwea.org/blog/2021/how-to-build-student-agency-in-your-classroom/
Buckler, V. (2019, February). The Benefits Of Collaboration In Project Based Learning. Magnify Learning. https://www.magnifylearningin.org/project-based-learning-blog/the-benefits-of-project-based-learning-collaboration
Cherry, K. (2022, November). What is Learning? Very Well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-learning-2795332
Francis, J. (2022, August). 5 Benefits Of Small Group Instruction W/ Lesson Plan Examples. Alludo Learning. https://blog.alludolearning.com/benefits-of-small-group-instruction
Harapnuik, D. (2018, July). COVA. https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991
Horn, M. B. & Staker, H. (2015). Blended, Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools. Jossey-Bass. San Francisco, CA.
Lowack, C. (2022, December). Raising Blended Learners. Charles Butt Foundation. https://charlesbuttfdn.org/what-we-do/statewide-programs/raising-blended-learners-program/what-is-blended-learning/
Moore, C. S. (2018, November). Five Ways to Teach Students to Be Learning Centered, Too. Faculty Focus. https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/five-ways-to-teach-students-to-be-learning-centered-too/
Realizing The Magic That Is Small Group Instruction. Edmentum. October 24, 2023. https://www.edmentum.com/articles/realizing-the-magic-that-is-small-group-instruction/
Schenk, M. (2023, June). Comprehensive Guide to Blended Learning: Types, Examples, and More. Acadecraft. https://www.acadecraft.com/blog/different-types-of-blended-learning/
The Pros and Cons of Learning Management Systems. GoGuardian. February 4, 2021. https://www.goguardian.com/blog/learning-management-systems-pros-cons
Torgerson, D. (2023, May). The Advantages of Small Group Instruction In The Classroom. Alludo. https://blog.alludolearning.com/the-advantages-of-small-group-instruction-in-the-classroom
Jackie Bittner M.Ed. 