Instructional design/Blended Learning Lesson Plans/Defining Blended Instruction

Blended Learning
As cited in the U.S. Department of Education’s recent “Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies”, “Students in online conditions performed modestly better, on average, than those learning the same material through traditional face-to-face instruction” (p. xiv) and, markedly, “Instruction combining online and face-to-face elements had a larger advantage relative to purely face-to-face instruction than did purely online instruction” (p. xv).

Introduction
Read "The Basics of Blended Instruction"

What is Blended Instruction
Blended learning is a prescribed instructional platform in which content and training is delivered at least in part by means of digital and online resources. Students generally regulate time, place, route, or pace to some degree. Computer facilitated activities are joined with face-to-face instructional methods while students still attending a “brick-and-mortar” school. Two key benefits of this approach include the ability for data gathering and the customization of instruction and assessment. A third benefit is the ability to reallocate resources to improve student achievement results. Blended learning has a wide range of possibilities. Asynchronous or self-study opportunities include web-based courseware, mockups, EPSS systems, ebooks, and job aids. Synchronous or live opportunities include webcasting, live video, conference calls, and instructor-led teaching.

Face-to-Face
A brick-and-mortar setting where learning must be “supervised” and take place “away from home.” The first class should always be a Face-to-Face with introductions so everyone can put a face with the instructor and classmates. If Face-to-Face is not possible, Real-Time would be a viable alternative. Adobe Connect or Skype could be utilized for Real-Time connections. This initial contact helps to set the expectations for the class.

Traditional instruction – teacher-led dialogue and teacher knowledge are communicated to students as a designed educational program that centers on face-to-face teacher-driven instruction. Students are homogeneously grouped. Instructional resources are constructed from textbooks, lectures, and specific written assignments. All learners in the classroom by and large partake in a single, cohesive curriculum. Subjects are often singular instead of integrated and interdisciplinary, particularly in secondary school.

Technology-rich instruction – a controlled educational program that shares the structures of traditional instruction, but also has digital components such as electronic whiteboards, broad access to Internet devices, document cameras, digital textbooks, Internet tools, and online lesson plans. However, the Internet does not convey the content and instruction. If the Internet is used, the students lack control of time, place, path, and/or pace.

Computer Based
The primary content and instruction delivery is provided through the Internet. Students are given some component of control over time, place, path, and/or pace. Differentiation is utilized in the online environment.

Informal online learning – – any time a student uses technology to acquire knowledge outside of a designed educational program. For example, students could play educational video games or watch online lectures on their own separate from the standard school platform.

Full-time online learning – a planned educational program in which content and instruction are conveyed over the Internet. The students do not attend a managed brick-and-mortar locality away from home. The exceptions could include proctored exams, labs, or social events.



Identifying Blended Instruction
Given a lesson plan, you will determine if it is Traditional Instruction or Blended Instruction.

1. Open and read the lesson plan.

2. Based on what you have learned about Blended Instruction, determine if the plan depicts Traditional Instruction or Blended Instruction.

3. Click the response: "Traditional" or "Blended" to check your answer. { - Traditional Instruction + Blended Instruction
 * type=""}
 * This lesson contains both computer-based and face-to-face instructional components, so it meets the criteria for blended instruction.

{ + Traditional Instruction - Blended Instruction
 * type=""}
 * Even though technology is used in this lesson, the technology is used as a tool and does not serve as an instructional method. This lesson, therefore, does not meet the criteria for blended instruction.

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