Blended Learning:The Flex Model

Blended Learning: The Flex Model

 

Interventions and supplementations for classrooms that use the flex model for blended learning.

 

The flex model is a program in which content and instruction are delivered primarily by the Internet, where students move on an individually customized fluid schedule among learning modalities and the teacher-of-record is on-site (Staker & Horn, 2012). There are school districts that use the flex model for credit recovery, alternative education and base school courses. The question that comes up in my research, on blended learning, focuses on the type of program that can be adapted to a blend of online instruction and face-to-face instruction. I decided to examine the Apex learning program that incorporates many scaffolds within its format.

Before you start the construction of a blended course, the following key questions should be asked before you begin the process.

·        Are the students reading the content material?

·        Are the students viewing the video content along with the key terms and study guides?

·        Are you requiring the students to complete all sub sections of each unit?

·        Are you requiring the students to take notes for each unit?

Based on my experience I have found that a few students race through the content material, avoid the video scaffold and will not take any notes. With this situation, it is very difficult to force a few students to complete work that is not required by the other students in the class. The other problem that occurs is that some students will be two units ahead in the subject area which means the group will be at different stages within that subject. Now let’s throw another monkey wrench into the picture. Visualize a class that has 3 to 4 different science classes within the period. Can you construct a plan of action?

Plan of Action for Blending

·        The students should take the diagnostic test before the unit is started.

The diagnostic test informs the teacher and the student the exact content area that needs remediation. The diagnostic lists the individual student’s content knowledge, along with a group analysis that gives the percentages of the correct answers by question and responses. This is an excellent tool for developing an effective plan.

·        The teacher should instruct the student to begin the unit that corresponds to the diagnostic test.

·        Use technology resources that will help the student with the vocabulary, equations and complex process that were missed in the diagnostic test.

Based on previous experience, I will use tools such as power point presentations, video segments from Discovery Education or the student will complete the study guide from that sub unit. The students make their own power point presentations using the concepts that were not fully understood in the diagnostic test.

·        The teacher shouldn’t let the student re-take the sub unit quizzes after their first failing grade.

·        You can project the students quiz on the white board, and go over the test on a one to one basis. The other students should be facing their computers and working on their Apex unit.

By the time the student completes fifty percent of the unit, the teacher should decide if the student comprehends the material. Using a video segment is a method that works well with visual learners.

·        Select a video segment that pertains to the specific concept that was identified in the diagnostic test.

·        Do not use a video segment that is longer than eight minutes. 

·        Make sure the student has a head set that works with the computer audio.

·        You can create a file for the student and save the video for review.

Individualized Blended Learning

The flex model can be used as an individual format for classes that have several subjects within the class period. Classes with the same subject can utilize group rotations that address content areas that need remediation for three or more students within the targeted area. 

In my opinion, it is very important to combine the flex model with a blended program that targets content knowledge. The tools within the apex program compliment the procedures that I have stated in the previous paragraphs. These procedures create the information that can be used as a personalized student portfolio that can kept as an electronic file for future reference.

·        Each student should have a portfolio that contains the apex assessments, video files and power point presentations that were developed by the student.

·        Each student should be able to access their file for test reviews.

·        The teacher can add to the blended portfolios for future students.

 

 

Courses in Blended Learning are available at mydestinationtrainer.com

If you have any questions concerning this information, please email me at craig@mydestinationtrainer.com