1. { Blended Learning: The Informed Parent February 4, 2014 Rivercrest Preparatory Online School

2.  School looks different than it did when we were in school.  The teacher (owner of knowledge) transferred the information to students.  Aimed at the mid-range student; Did not address all students effectively.  Those who wanted to accelerate often could not.  Those who needed extra support maybe didn’t get the remediation.  Technology is a tool to individualize student learning.   More advanced classrooms have moved toward increased personalization where students are actually provided instruction at their level.   Students’ needs are addressed precisely where they are.   Technology has the potential to make this a daily reality through adaptive, personalized instruction and the capacity for multiple levels of instruction to take place simultaneously. Educational Change

3.  Form of independent study using both online learning and classroom teacher support.  Most of the students’ time is spent doing their coursework online and away from the physical classroom.  Students come to school to take tests and get help or clarification.  Teachers can get and give individualized feedback more rapidly  Here at RPOS:  Some group work  Some lessons on specific topics  Individualized tutoring  CAHSEE test prep boot camps What is blended learning?

4.  To meet student needs:  Variety of reasons why students and parents choose an online/blended learning environment.  Work  Family obligations  Illness  Bullying or other peer pressure issues  Want to accelerate and move faster than traditional school allows. Why blended learning?

5.  Lack of Internet access at home  Use library or ?  Stay at school longer than one hour  Over 4 hours here at school becomes unproductive.  Send the student with some snacks/water.  Distractions  Chores, babysitting, online games/chats, etc. Possible problems

6.  Be an advocate for your child’s education.  Talk to teachers  Use Parent Portal on Odysseyware  Regularly check the school website for information  Use available resources  Lab hours from 7:30 to 3:30 daily  Tutoring from 10:30-1:30  Parents can be learners also.  Use online resources to understand more about the theories/research behind online learning.  Work through a lesson with your child. How can parents support students?

7.  We all want students to succeed academically.  Student driven with teacher and parent support.  . Ownership in their own learning means students are aware of their own needs and goals, that they become self-guiding, self-directing, even self-correcting.   This only happens when interest and engagement are high, awareness is present and the tools are available to act on the need. Technology enhanced learning actually provides this opportunity. End goal remains constant