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
