Blended Learning is being promoted as a “disruptive innovation” in education. Supporters suggest that this model has the potential to reach all learners in new exciting ways. What exactly is blended learning and how might this “look” in the middle level classroom? How can teachers begin to implement blended learning models in their classrooms? Sun West School Division shares the journey and findings of its year-long action based research project aimed at exploring the impact of blended learning on student engagement and comprehension.

1. The Blend in Mind:
Blended Learning in the
Middle Level Classroom
SASKATCHEWAN MIDDLE YEARS ASSOCIATION
OCTOBER 2015
PRESENTED BY JADE BALLEK
@jadeballek

2. Pirate-in-training

4. Session Goals
Blended Learning is being promoted as a “disruptive innovation” in
education. Supporters suggest that this model has the potential to reach
all learners in new exciting ways.
What exactly is blended learning and how might this “look” in the
middle level classroom?
How can teachers begin to implement blended learning models in their
classrooms?
Sun West School Division shares the journey and findings of its year-long
action based research project aimed at exploring the impact of blended
learning on student engagement and comprehension.

5. SWISI Fund
• Sun West Initiative for School Improvement
• Board funding for a three year pilot
• 7 school based projects approved for 2013-2014
• 2 division wide projects approved for 2014-2015
• Blended Learning Action Research Project 2014-15
• Blended Math Project 2015-16

6. SWISI Funding
 Time
 Training
 Team
 Technology

7. Blended
Learning SWISI
o 22 teacher participants
o Grades 1-12
o Math, ELA, Science and History
o One unit, one subject
o Partnership with the University
of Saskatchewan, College of
Education
o Data: one-on-one interviews,
surveys, focus group student
interviews, classroom records

8. We wanted to discover the impact that this shift has on student
engagement, communication, and learning (comprehension).
We also wanted to explore ways that these models could help
us meet the diverse needs of our learners (targeted instruction).
http://goo.gl/pf2G8A

10. What is Blended Learning?
“blend” of
online learning face-to-face learning

11. It is an engine …
Personalized Learning
Experiences
Competency Based
Learning
Student-Centred
Learning

12. Blended or Technology-Rich?
o formal education program
o student learns at least in part in a supervised
brick-and-mortar location away from home
o student learns at least in part through online
learning
o some element of student control over time,
place, path, and/or pace

13. Blended Learning
Planning Guides

15. • How might you inform your parents about blended learning
and their role?
• How might you inform parents about this project and what
this is going to “look like” in the classroom?
• How might you promote blended learning to your parents?
• What role might your SCC play in supporting your classroom?

19. Student Choice: Time, Place, Path, Pace
Time – inDependent Schools
Pace – students work through units/courses at their
own pace; often supported by instructional videos
Path – Levelled Learning (3, 4, 5)
- offer optional courses/electives through online
learning (Distance Learning Centre)

20. “Hiring” Technology for the Online
Component of a Blended Classroom

23. Student Choice in Pace
Pace - speed at which student moves through the learning
Faster for some, slower for others

28. Created Levelled Pathways
Basic
3
Comprehensive
4
Thorough
5
Essential to understanding
the outcome
Highly desirable in
understanding the
outcome
Desirable in understanding
the outcome
What all students need to
know about the outcome
Application, synthesis,
stretching your thinking

32. http://goo.gl/FegSuu
http://goo.gl/pf2G8A

34. Successful Shift
- sound assessment practices
- solid understanding of
curriculum
- innovative, risk-taking
approach
- classroom culture of learning

35. Next Steps
 Blended Learning Division-wide Math Project
 Adding more blended learning units
 Trying different models

36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcLxs-KOLtA

37. Questions
Thank you!
@jadeballek
jade.ballek@sunwestsd.ca
1-306-252-1000