A Blended Learning Overview

By: Dr. Steve Brown
The AVI CHAI Foundation has devoted much time and energy to understanding the nature of blended and online learning and its power to personalize instruction in Jewish day schools. We would like to direct you to rich resource material to help educators understand this growing approach to learning and teaching. This article by Elizabeth Broke, PhD entitled “Blended Learning: A Basic Overview of Typical Implementation Models and Four Keys to Success” is a wonderful, succinct summary of the major issues involved in Blended/Online Learning and can provide a very powerful introduction to those of you who are exploring this new and quickly developing area of instruction. She emphasizes that blended learning is “firmly rooted in the concept of empowering teachers to provide great, student-centric instruction.” Importantly, she highlights the difference between a sophisticated approach to blended learning and the use of technology in schools. She speaks about the nature of four blended learning models and four necessary factors for successful implementation and effectiveness of blended/online learning in schools. We commend this article to your attention. It may be one that you would share with your constituents such as members of your Board and parents. It might help them understand more deeply and succinctly the power of blended online learning to create student-centered, personalized instruction in our Jewish day schools.
Dr. Steve Brown is a Program Officer at The AVI CHAI Foundation and serves on its online/blended learning team.