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Special Report
Special Report

Blended Learning

Breaking Down Barriers
April 13, 2015
In simple terms, blended learning is a strategy to combine technology-based instruction with traditional, teacher-to-student lessons. And it exists everywhere in school districts these days. This special report, 鈥淏lended Learning: Breaking Down Barriers,鈥� examines how K-12 systems are overcoming the challenges related to this approach.
  • Classroom Technology Colo. System Lets Individual 69传媒 Shape Ed-Tech Buying
    A Colorado district has given its schools significant leeway in making decisions about buying blended learning software, despite the challenges in ceding purchasing authority.
    Benjamin Herold, April 13, 2015
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    2 min read
    Kim S. Burke, the principal at J.C. Nalle Elementary School in the District of Columbia, shows enthusiasm during an open house to explain blended learning software to teachers and leaders from other schools, as Kevin Wenzel, blended learning specialist for the school system, watches.
    Kim S. Burke, the principal at J.C. Nalle Elementary School in the District of Columbia, shows enthusiasm during an open house to explain blended learning software to teachers and leaders from other schools, as Kevin Wenzel, blended learning specialist for the school system, watches.
    Photo by Eric Kruszewski for Education Week
    Classroom Technology D.C. Favors Centralized, But Flexible Ed-Tech Buying
    The District of Columbia school system arranged to purchase a blended learning software program, ST Math, through its central office, but left decisions whether to adopt it to individual schools.
    Benjamin Herold, April 13, 2015
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    3 min read
    IT Infrastructure & Management Businesses Build Online Wi-Fi Network in Ga. School District
    A network of about 50 businesses and facilities in Forsyth County, Ga., are advertising themselves as offering free Wi-Fi to students who are seeking to continue their blended-learning lessons outside school.
    Sean Cavanagh, April 13, 2015
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    3 min read
    Teaching Wi-Fi Hubs on Buses Connect 69传媒 in Transit
    An Arizona school system is one of a number of districts around the country to install Wi-Fi devices on its school buses, with the goal of allowing students to schoolwork during their rides to and from school.
    , April 13, 2015
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    3 min read
    IT Infrastructure & Management District Loans Out Wireless Hubs to Bring 69传媒 Online
    The Green Bay, Wisc., district allows students, many of them from poor backgrounds, to check out mobile, wireless hotspots so that they have the Web connectivity to do online assignments.
    Michelle R. Davis, April 13, 2015
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    3 min read
    Classroom Technology Creating an Out-of-School Wireless Community
    The Kent, Wash., school district has placed kiosks that beam free Wi-Fi in locations across the community, including public housing, to give students who lack home Internet access more options for doing homework and school research.
    April 13, 2015
    Classroom Technology Report Summary: Breaking Down Barriers to Blended Learning
    This report examines some of the most intractable challenges schools face in trying to use technology to improve teaching and learning鈥攁nd how K-12 systems are attempting to clear those hurdles.
    The Editors, April 13, 2015
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    1 min read
    Fatuma Shoka, a 9th grader at Auburn Mountainview High School, uses the wireless Internet at the Birch Creek Community Center. The center, through a program supported by the Kent, Wash., school district, offers a kiosk emitting free Wi-Fi so students can go online to complete their school assignments.
    Fatuma Shoka, a 9th grader at Auburn Mountainview High School, uses the wireless Internet at the Birch Creek Community Center. The center, through a program supported by the Kent, Wash., school district, offers a kiosk emitting free Wi-Fi so students can go online to complete their school assignments.
    Matthew Ryan Williams for Education Week
    Teaching District Extends Wi-Fi to 69传媒 in Public Housing
    The Kent, Wash., district has set up kiosks with Web connectivity across the community, including public-housing complexes, to help students take part in blended learning away from school.
    Michelle R. Davis, April 13, 2015
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    9 min read
    Thanh Nguyen, a technology instructional coach at J.C. Nalle Elementary School in the District of Columbia, works with students Traci Burton, left, and Nygal Young during a lesson using the blended learning software ST Math. The district has encouraged, though not required, schools to use the program.
    Thanh Nguyen, a technology instructional coach at J.C. Nalle Elementary School in the District of Columbia, works with students Traci Burton, left, and Nygal Young during a lesson using the blended learning software ST Math. The district has encouraged, though not required, schools to use the program.
    Photo by Eric Kruszewski for Education Week
    Classroom Technology Districts Weigh Control Over Software Buying
    School leaders and researchers often disagree about who should have the ultimate decisionmaking authority over buying blended learning software鈥攃entral district offices, or individual schools?
    Benjamin Herold, April 13, 2015
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    4 min read
    Instructional coaches and administrators, standing behind a two-way mirror, watch to see how 4th graders react to technology in the Catalyst laboratory at Ridge Middle School in Mentor, Ohio.
    Instructional coaches and administrators, standing behind a two-way mirror, watch to see how 4th graders react to technology in the Catalyst laboratory at Ridge Middle School in Mentor, Ohio.
    Photo by Dustin Franz for Education Week
    Teacher Preparation Ohio District Creates a Lab for Blended Learning
    In Mentor, Ohio, teachers test out and refine blended learning best practices in the 鈥淐atalyst,鈥� a laboratory for educators to observe each other at work.
    Robin L. Flanigan, April 13, 2015
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    7 min read
    Classroom Technology K-12 Librarians' Roles Shift to Meet Digital Demands
    A school district in Vancouver, Wash., has recast the duties of librarians to serve as experts in technology and blended learning strategies, capable of training peers on the use of digital tools.
    Carol Brzozowski, April 13, 2015
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    7 min read
    On the Intrinsic 69传媒鈥� Chicago campus, each grade has two interconnected classrooms, or 鈥減ods,鈥� with their own functions.
    On the Intrinsic 69传媒鈥� Chicago campus, each grade has two interconnected classrooms, or 鈥減ods,鈥� with their own functions.
    Photos by John Zich for Education Week
    School Climate & Safety Chicago School Designed With Blended Learning in Mind
    At the Intrinsic 69传媒' first permanent campus, students and teachers are working in spaces designed to support blended learning and a mix of individualized and group instruction.
    Bryan Toporek, April 13, 2015
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    9 min read
    Classroom Technology Blended Learning Research Yields Limited Results
    Drawing conclusions about what works in blended learning is difficult, because of the amorphous nature of the term, rapid changes in technology and how it is used, and other factors.
    Sarah D. Sparks, April 13, 2015
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    7 min read