Blended Learning

• A blended approach combines the best elements of online and face-to-face learning.
• Idaho Digital Learning trains teachers and districts on how to successfully adopt a blended model.
• Among our blended learning offerings are free ISAT preparatory materials; available to any Idaho educator.

The 6 Models of Blended Learning

1. Face-to-Face Driver: These programs that retain face-to-face teachers to deliver most of their curricula. The physical teacher deploys online learning on a case-by-case basis to supplement or remediate, often in the back of the classroom or in a technology lab.

2. Rotation: Within a given course, students rotate on a fixed schedule between learning online in a one-to-one, self-paced environment and sitting in a classroom with a traditional face-to-face teacher. This model falls between the traditional face-to-face classroom and the online learning environment because it involves a split between the two and, in some cases, between remote and onsite. The face-to-face teacher usually oversees the online work.

3. Flex: This model features an online platform that delivers most of the curricula. Teachers provide on-site support on a flexible and adaptive as-needed basis through in-person tutoring sessions and small group sessions. Many drop out recovery and credit-recovery blended programs fit into this model.

4. Online Lab: In this setting, institutions rely on an online platform to deliver the entire course but in a brick-and-mortar lab environment. Usually these programs provide online teachers. Paraprofessionals supervise, but offer little content expertise. Often students that participate in an online-lab program also take traditional courses and have typical block schedules.

5. Self-Blend: Any time students choose to take one or more courses online to supplement their traditional school’s catalog they fall into this model. The learning online is always remote, which distinguishes it from the online-lab model. However, the traditional learning is in a brick-and-mortar school. All supplemental online schools that offer a la carte courses to individual students facilitate self-blending.

6. Online Driver: An online driver is an online platform with teachers who deliver all curricula. Students work remotely for the most part. Face-to-face check-ins are sometimes optional and other times required. Some of these programs offer brick and-mortar components as well, such as extracurricular activities.

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