CLEARING UP BLENDED LEARNING CONFUSION There are many definitions of blended learning. The most frequently ref- erenced comes from a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank, the Christensen Institute, which states, Blended Learning is a formal education program in which a student learns: (1) at least in part through online learning, with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace; (2) at least in part in a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home; (3) and the modalities along each student's learning path within a course or subject are connected to provide an integrated learning experience. Sometimes the conversation about blended learning includes references to personalized learning, digital learning, 21st-century learning, and next gen- eration classrooms. The purpose of this exercise is not to create a new definition. The evolving nature of technology and its potential application mandates a dynamic and similarly evolving understanding of "blended learning." Instead, we need to remain Practical in coming up with scalable classroom practices and example of theory in action. When successfully implemented, blended learning enables these hallmarks of best teaching and learning practices: • Personalization: providing unique learning pathways for individual! students • Agency: giving learners opportunities to participate in key decision in their learning experience • Authentic Audience: giving learners the opportunity to create for real audience both locally and globally • Connectivity: giving learners opportunities to experience learning in collaboration with peers and experts locally and globally • Creativity: providing learners individual and collaborative opportu nities to make things that matter while building skills for their future Chapter 1:Going Blended to Meet the World (6)

 CLEARING UP BLENDED LEARNING CONFUSION 

There are many definitions of blended learning. The most frequent ref- 

referenced comes   from a nonprofit, nonpartisan   think tank, the Christensen 

Institute, which states, 

    Blended Learning is a formal education    program in which a student 

    learns: (1) at least in part through online learning, with some element of 

    student control over time, place, path, and/or pace; (2) at least in part in 

    a  supervised brick-and-mortar location away from  home; (3) and the 

    modalities along each student's learning path within a course or subject 

    are connected to provide an integrated learning experience. 

Sometimes   the conversation about  blended learning includes references to 

personalized learning, digital learning, 21st-century learning, and next-gen- 

eration classrooms. 

The purpose of this exercise is not to create a new definition. The evolving 

nature of technology and its potential application mandates a dynamic   and 

similarly evolving understanding of  "blended learning." Instead, we need to remain 

Practical in coming up with scalable classroom practices and  example of theory in action. When successfully implemented, blended learning enables 

these  hallmarks of best teaching and learning practices: 

    •  Personalization: providing unique learning pathways for individuals! 

       students 

    •  Agency:  giving learners opportunities to participate in key decision 

       in their learning experience 

    •  Authentic  Audience: giving learners the  opportunity to create for 

       the real audience both locally and globally 

    •  Connectivity: giving learners opportunities to experience learning in

       collaboration with peers and experts locally and globally 

    •  Creativity: providing learners individual and collaborative  opportunities to make things that matter while building skills for their future

Chapter 1:Going Blended to Meet the World (6)