11 aventalearning.com Blending Traditional and Online Learning: Best Practices to Get Your School Started

22 aventalearning.com Blended Learning 101: Best Practices Your guides for this session Establishing a common language – what is blended learning? Why now? Meet the iGeneration! Continuum of implementation models – Case studies from our panelists Spotsylvania Chicago Public Schools SCCOE Forsyth County, GA Tools to help schools get started and engage the iGeneration in blended learning

33 aventalearning.com Your guides for this session Jan Streich, Spotsylvania County Schools Director of Instructional Technology Robin Gonzales, Chicago Public Schools former Director of Distance Education Kelly Schwirzke, SCCOE Instructional Technology Coordinator Lissa Pijanowski, Forsyth County Schools Assistant Superintendent Gregg Levin, Aventa Learning VP School Solutions

44 aventalearning.com Our definition for today’s session: “The blended approach combines the best elements of online and face-to-face learning. It is likely to emerge as the predominant model of the future – and to become far more common than either one alone.” Blended Learning: The Convergence of Online and Face-to- Face Education by John Watson, published by the North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL), 2009

55 aventalearning.com Blended Learning = Online Learning + Face-to-Face Individualized – self-paced content built for all kinds of learners Flexibility – allows for alternative schedules, use of computer labs, access from home Engaging – multimedia components in content including videos, virtual labs, avatars One-on-one support – from state- certified teachers through , phone or online collaboration tools Group instruction – opportunity for labs, lectures and/or small group projects Positive environment with mentoring, socialization and other support services Opportunity for one-on-one or small group remediation and enrichment support Blended environments combine the best elements of online learning with the best elements of face-to-face learning. While the implementation models vary, the benefits are clear. Best practices are, indeed, blended

66 aventalearning.com Why now? Meet the iGeneration Who are these people? – Born in the mid-1990s – “i” stands for “individualized” – music, TV shows, etc. are customized by them, in their own time – Internet / on-demand content is time-shifted to their schedules – Accustomed to immediate feedback and crowdsourcing – Über-connected: have never known a world without the web What are they saying? – 50% prefer to engage with their senses, to “see” and “do” rather than just listen – in order to learn – 42% experience boredom – 55% say bullying is a problem – 48% are distracted by other kids – 88% want more electives, online classes and flexible schedules – Only 18% get the help and attention they need from teachers all the time – 33% have to ask for challenges if they’re doing well

77 aventalearning.com A continuum of implementation models FULLY ONLINE Examples of K 12 and Aventa Partners Fully online curriculum with all learning done online and at a distance and no face-to-face component East Valley Gresham Barlow 21 st Century Cyber Charter Ohio Virtual Academy Fully online curriculum with options for face-to-face instruction, but not required Agora Cyber Charter School California Virtual Academies Arizona Virtual Academy Mostly or fully online curriculum with select days required in classroom or computer lab Graham Digital Hoosier Academies Chicago Virtual Charter School Bend La Pine Hawaii Tech. Academy Mostly or fully online curriculum in computer lab or classroom where students meet every day San Francisco Flex Academy Chicago Public Schools YCCS Virtual High School Evergree n School District Classroom instruction with significant, required online components that extend learning beyond the classroom and beyond the school day NYC Blended Learning Pilot Classroom instruction integrating online resources, but limited or no requirements for students to be online Traditional face-to-face setting with few or no online resources or communication TRADITIONAL FACE-TO-FACE

88 aventalearning.com A continuum of implementation models

99 aventalearning.com Blended Learning Case Study #1: Spotsylvania County Schools Educational Need – Alternative Education, On-time Graduation, Drop Out Prevention – Over 23,000 students – 5 High Schools – 34% at poverty level* – 32% minority* – 3.5 % ELL* Blended Learning Solution – 2008: Alternative online school, evening credit recovery programs began – : Pilot in two high schools, expanded to five high schools in Results – 91% pass rate in alternative program – 89% pass rate in two pilots – Every child has access to a high quality, flexible learning option that meets his or her needs * Numbers are approximate, due to recent state realignment requirements, and based on the school year

10 aventalearning.com Blended Learning Case Study #2: Chicago Public Schools Educational Need – Credit Recovery – Over 400,000 students – 137 High Schools – 85% at poverty level – 87% minority – 14.4% ELL – High drop out rates; low graduation rates Blended Learning Solution – 2008 online credit recovery pilot – Today, online credit recovery and core curriculum offered at >90% CPS schools Results – 1,000 at-risk students graduated in 2010 after taking credit recovery classes – 4,000 high school students enrolled in virtual high school – Every child has access to a high quality, flexible learning option that meets his or her needs

11 aventalearning.com Blended Learning Case Study #3: SCCOE Educational Need – provide opportunities and access to all SCCOE students in diverse school settings – Deliver standards-based, quality learning experiences to students in their home districts – Transform school culture and perceptions around online and blended learning to enable 21 st century learning Blended Learning Solution – O.zone e.class project supported by Aventa’s content, hosting, training, instructors – Collaboration with districts (providing planning and support) to develop customized implementations of online and blended learning Results – More than 1500 students served – More than 150 teachers and mentors trained – 9 counties have joined a new CA consortium – New districts starting weekly

12 aventalearning.com Blended Learning Case Study #4: Forsyth County School District iAchieve Virtual Academy – Over 135 students – 24 Students with Disabilities – 1 English Language Learner – 4 McKinney Vento Students – 21 Gifted – 11.85% Minority Online Learning Solution – Serving grades 6-12 – Resident and non-resident students Results – “You and your staff are prepared for the future generations to come and have made High School possible for students who learn best this way. You are well poised for our internet savvy universe. Thank you.” ~ iAchieve Parent – “I am so thankful to all of my iAchieve teachers for their support and encouragement. I am learning so much and will be prepared for whatever next year may bring.” ~ iAchieve 8 th grader “I feel so lucky to be a student in the Forsyth County School System while pursing my dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer.”

13 aventalearning.com Why does blended learning make sense? Good for students – the iGeneration – Offers true differentiated learning and supports student achievement for everyone from struggling learners to advanced students, in a medium they gravitate toward – Enables students to follow a pace chart and stay on pace – Offers state-certified curriculum with small group instruction and 1:1 support from experienced teachers Good for all kinds of learners – Advanced Placement® courses – Credit recovery ELL supports for credit recovery – Auditory – Visual Good for schools and institutions – Delivers equity of access – Expands educational opportunities regardless of resources, space or budget – Great option for small, rural and urban schools facing resource squeeze

14 aventalearning.com Aventa: meeting district & student needs Flexible blended learning solutions – just like the iGeneration – Scalable virtual learning solutions can be a tool for your teachers More than 140 courses – Award-winning, rigorous curriculum and courseware You teach or we teach – Support for your teachers, supplementing your staff Supports major LMS platforms – Learning Management System agnostic Viable solution to overcrowding

15 aventalearning.com Thank you! Q&A See Gregg to get a copy of our Blended Learning White Paper, Administrator, Mentor and Student Toolkits