Information and digital literacy in education via the digital path

With many schools now practicing blended learning, it can be helpful for educators interested in blended-learning programs to know which edtech tools are being used. For over five years, we at the Christensen Institute have been collecting data on blended-learning schools from around the world. In 2016, we launched our redesigned Blended Learning Universe (BLU)—a hub for resources and research, including a directory of schools practicing blended learning.

With many schools now practicing blended learning, it can be helpful for educators interested in blended-learning programs to know which edtech tools are being used. For over five years, we at the Christensen Institute have been collecting data on blended-learning schools from around the world. In 2016, we launched our redesigned Blended Learning Universe (BLU)—a hub for resources and research, including a directory of schools practicing blended learning. To date, the directory features nearly 600 school and district profiles that capture both quantitative and qualitative data. In their profiles, schools can share the ins-and-outs of their approach to blended learning including their instructional model, the grades and subjects in which they are rolling out blended approaches, and the software powering those models.

In any rush of new technology there comes fresh opportunities for learning and growth that were never possible before. We’ve seen this in the past two decades with blended learning, which combines digital media with traditional classroom methods to engage students like never before.

In all of the excitement to use technology, however, the real purpose of blended learning is often lost. Collaborating on a Google Doc is fun and convenient, but blended learning should be more than that.

Starting to integrate technology can be intimidating. 

So many choices, new ideas being shared all of the time through social media, blogs, books, Teacher Professional Development, and more.

I find the best time to walk away with new ideas is right after a big event dedicated to edtech. With conference season upon us, maybe you recently attended a conference or edcamp or read something and now have a long list of new ideas which can be overwhelming. 

Looking for some tips on how to help you better integrate technology in your instruction? The visual below has you covered. It features 10 activities you can do in your class with the help of web technologies. These are: run a virtual field trip, quiet a noisy classroom, use videos for mini-lessons, coordinate live video, add multimedia elements to presentations, use digital exit tickets, study and critique web content, gather student feedback, launch a wiki page or blog for a collaborative assignment.

Over the past few months, I’ve written a series of posts over on the Flipped Learning Network web site that offer a wealth of different tools and techniques that can be used to create digital learning content for flipped or blended