1/31/2013
The Rise of K 12 Blended Learning
How it started, where we are now, and the
unconventional future ahead
Heather C. Staker
Senior Research Fellow
#InnosightInstit
#hstaker
Could Harvard ever fail?
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1/31/2013
Disruptive innovation is changing the way the world learns
The Past
Patterns of
innovation in other
sectors
The Present
Emerging models
of blended
learning
The Future
Predicting the
transformation of
the classroom
Disruptive innovation is changing the way the world learns
The Past
Patterns of
innovation in
other sectors
The Present
Emerging models
of blended
learning
The Future
Predicting the
transformation of
the classroom
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1/31/2013
What kills successful companies?
Sustaining innovations
Pe rformance
Incumbents nearly always win
Time
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1/31/2013
Disruptive innovations
Different measure
Of Performance
Performance
Incumbents nearly always win
Ti me
Entrants nearly always win
Time
Disruption in computing
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1/31/2013
Higher education decentralization is beginning
Disruption brings affordability, convenience, accessibility
Yesterday
• GM
• Dept. Stores
• Digital Eqpt.
• Delta
• JP Morgan
• Xerox
• IBM
• Cullinet
• AT&T
• Sony DiskMan
• State universities
Today
• Toyota
• Wal-Mart
• Dell
• Southwest Airlines
• Fidelity
• Canon
• Microsoft
• Oracle
• Cingular
• Apple iPod
• Community colleges
Tomorrow
• Chery
• Internet retail
• RIM Blackberry
• Air taxis
• ETFs
• Zink
• Linux
• Salesforce.com
• Skype
• Cell Phones
• Online universities
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1/31/2013
The theory of hybrids
Differ ent measure
Of Performance
Performance
Incumbents nearly always win
Ti me
Ti me
Entrants nearly always win
Hybrids enter the market as a sustaining innovation, and
meanwhile the disruption gets better and better
Hybrid Innovation
Disruptive
Innovation
Prius Hybrid
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1/31/2013
Disruptive innovation is changing the way the world learns
The Past
Patterns of
innovation in other
sectors
The Present
Emerging
models of
blended learning
The Future
Predicting the
transformation of
the classroom
Different measure
Of Performance
Pe rformance
Historically, most schools have “crammed” computers into
the back plane
Core
curriculum
Pat h taken by
most schools, foundations
an d education software
companies
Time
Time
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1/31/2013
Examples of non-consumption
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Credit recovery
Drop outs
AP/advanced courses
Scheduling conflicts
Home-schooled and
homebound students
Small, rural, urban
schools
Unit recovery
Disaster preparedness
Tutoring
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Professional
development
Pre-K
After school
In the home
Incarcerated youth
In-school suspension
School bus commute
Summer school
Teacher absenteeism
Looming budget cuts and teacher shortages are an opportunity,
not a threat
Online learning’s S-curve growth pattern for high school
% new
50% of high
school courses
online by 2019
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1/31/2013
Online learning : an affordable way to customize each
student’s learning
Traditional factory-style
system
Integrated system
architecture is tremendously
expensive to customize
Online learning
Modular s ystem
architecture is
much more
customizable
• Different paces
• Different background
knowledge
• Different aptitudes
Students don’t learn at constant rates
Image courtesy of Khan Academy
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1/31/2013
Technology predictably improves
Online learning is beginning to blend into brick-and-mortar
classrooms and change the fundamentals of the teacher role
Definition of Blended Learning
A formal education program in which a
student learns at least in part through
online delivery of instruction and content,
with some element of student control
over time, place, path and/or pace
90% of k ids
need a
supervised, safe
place to learn
(cannot be
homeschooled)
and
at least in part in a supervised brick-andmortar location away from home (such
as school).
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1/31/2013
Four models of blended learning are emerging in classrooms
across America, and the taxonomy is evolving in real time
Technology rich = blended learning
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1/31/2013
Technology rich = blended learning
Four models of blended learning
The Rotation Model
1. Station Rotation
2. Lab Rotation
3. Flipped
Classroom
4. Individual
Rotation
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1/31/2013
Four models of blended learning
The Flex Model
•
Internet-based
content and
instruction
•
Flexible schedules
•
Onsite teacher-ofrecord
Four models of blended learning
The Self-Blend Model
• Supplemental
online courses
• Think “a la
carte”
• Online teacherof-record
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1/31/2013
Four models of blended learning
The Enriched-Virtual Model
Time divided between on- and off-campus
Individual-Rotation Model: Trinity Episcopal School
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1/31/2013
Individual-Rotation Model: Trinity Episcopal School
T
T
Online Learning
Small-Group
Instruction
Small-Group
Instruction
T
T
Flex Model: Acton Academy
8:00 - 8:30
8:30 - 9:00
9:00 – 11:00
11:00 – 11:15
11:15 – 12:00
12:00 – 12:30
12:30 – 1:30
1:30 – 3:00
12:30 – 3:00
3:00 – 3:15
Arrival
Morning Group
Individual Core Work / Project Time
Free Outdoor Play
World History / Read Aloud
Lunch
Writing Workshop (Tues – Thurs)
Individual Core Work / Project Time (Tues – Thurs)
PE / Art (Mon, Fri)
Closing Group
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1/31/2013
Flex Model: Acton Academy
Disruptive innovation is changing the way the world learns
The Past
Patterns of
innovation in other
sectors
The Present
Emerging models
of blended
learning
The Future
Predicting the
transformation
of the classroom
16
1/31/2013
Short-term blended learning predictions
More Rotation models at
elementary school level
More Flex model
prototypes and pilots
More Self-Blend models at high
school level
More full-time virtual schools
integrating Enriched-Virtual
models into their programs
The theory of hybrids
Different measure
Of Performance
Performance
Incumbents nearly always win
Ti me
Entrants nearly always win
Ti me
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1/31/2013
Blended learning is undergoing a hybrid stage
Measuring
itself against
traditional
value
proposition
Traditional
PLUS online
Core
subjects,
mainstream
students
Requires
expertise in
both
“The Hybrid Zone of Blended Learning”
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1/31/2013
You Are Here
The future for school leaders
SUSTAINING PATH
• Sustaining innovations are vital
• The only choice in many
circumsta nces
DISRUPTIVE PATH
• Disruptions gain share over the long term
• Complete transformation of resources,
processes, priorities
• Requires autonomy
• Power tools, strong leadership
The future for students
Disruptive
Model
Mass distributed access to
student-centric learning
Traditional
Model
Low Quality
High Quality
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1/31/2013
Heather Staker
Innosight Institute
[email protected]
#InnosightInstit
#hstaker
Appendix
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1/31/2013
Station-Rotation Model: KIPP Empower Academy
Station-Rotation Model: KIPP Empower Academy
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1/31/2013
Station-Rotation Model: KIPP Empower Academy
Station-Rotation Model: KIPP Empower Academy
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1/31/2013
Station-Rotation Model: KIPP Empower Academy
Financial Impact of Blended Learning
per pupil
2011 12 Ongoing Financial Impact
per pupil
$1,468
FINANCIAL BENEFIT
+ $844 Additional student revenues
+ $623 Two fewer FTEs
$623
ADDED COSTS
$225 Additional student services
$147 Amortized technology purchases
$130 Additional instructional technology
assistant
$502
$130
$147
$225
$965
$844
POTENTIA L REINVESTMENT
= $965 per pupil saving 2011-12
FINANCIAL
BENEFIT
Does not i nclude upfront investments
ADDED
COSTS
POTENTIAL
REINVESTMENT
Source: Bernatek, Cohen, H anlon, & Wilka , KIPP Empower Case Study, Michael & S usan Dell Foundat ion
Individual-Rotation Model: Carpe Diem
Central Learning Lab
T
Intervention
5:1
T
T
T
T
Direct Instruction
15:1
12:1
Seminar
T
Learning Lab
Group Projects
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1/31/2013
Individual-Rotation Model: Carpe Diem
Individual-Rotation Model: Carpe Diem
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Individual-Rotation Model: Carpe Diem
“How Students Learn”
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1/31/2013
Where to start?
Implementation
Hiring strategy
Professional
development
strategy
Hardware &
Internet
strategy
Software
strategy
Model selection & design
What’s the problem to be solved?
Model selection and design
Rotation
• Operational
efficiencies
• Student
outcomes
• Teacher
satisfaction
Flex
Self-Blend
Every district
should pilot at
least one Flex or
Individual
Rotation
prototype school
• Offers students
a full menu of
courses
Or invent the
next model…
• Some students
thrive in virtual
settings
Enriched Virtual
• It’s virtual
school, PLUS
• Flexibilities
around time,
place, path,
and pace
• Dropout and
credit recovery,
AP, electives
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1/31/2013
Why do so many kids seem unmotivated?
Students “hire” education to help them:
1. Feel successful and make progress
2. Have fun with friends
Learning needs to be coupled with activities in which
students can feel success.
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