Publication Outline

Collaboration Group

Veronica Balli, Erika Peña, and Ileana Reyna

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Topic: Blended Learning:  Closing Gaps with Adaptive Programs

 

Connection to Innovation Plan: By incorporating adaptive learning programs, such as Lexia CORE 5 and i-Ready, in our innovation plan, Blended Learning: Personalizing the Future of Education, harnessed the power of technology in order to provide personalized instruction and close academic gaps. 

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Our innovation plan first focuses on implementing blended learning in our dyslexia lab and a 4th-grade classroom. During the 2021-2022 school year, we began incorporating a station rotation blended learning model that incorporated two adaptive learning platforms, Lexia Core5 and iReady. 

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Brief Introduction: 

Blended learning is a student-centered, formal education program where students experience online learning that is integrated with instruction at a brick-and-mortar location (Horn & Staker, 2015). In a blended learning model, students’ online learning experiences must offer them some element of control over the time, place, path, and/or pace of their learning (Arnett, 2021). In other words, students may choose when, where, what, and/or how fast or slow they are learning. They have the power to pause, rewind, or fast-forward instruction based on their unique needs. Blended learning offers the best of both worlds, allowing schools to integrate 21st-century instructional models, such as time and space, flexibility, self-pacing, digital content, and increased personalization into an adult supportive environment (McLester, 2011). 

As we began to implement a blended learning model during the 21-22 school year, our main goal was to increase student engagement and motivation in order to create personalized learning opportunities in a student-centered classroom. This school year, our Dyslexia students and a 4th-grade classroom integrated new adaptive learning platforms within a blended learning environment to assist in closing academic gaps caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Lexia CORE5 and I-ready provided students with personalized learning paths that increased student engagement and motivation while shifting from a teacher-centered model to a student-centered classroom. Lexia CORE 5 and I-ready both provided students with personalized literacy instruction that allowed students the freedom of path and pace.  

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How this information can help others:

This information will help educators understand the benefits of using adaptive digital platforms in order to provide personalized instruction within a blended learning environment. 

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Examples of Digital Resources:

1. Lexia Core 5: What is Lexia Core5 and how did we use it in the Dyslexia lab?  

Lexia Core5 is a digital program that is evidence-based and data-driven with 35 years of literacy expertise. According to Lexia CORE5, its goal is to promote literacy confidence, literacy structure, and focus but most importantly it promotes literacy for all. Lexia’s goal is to rebuild student confidence and build teachers in their abilities because it is built around the science of reading.

Lexia’s model is a three-step approach: personalized, independent student-driven learning, ongoing data to monitor progress, and teacher-led instruction which allows for differentiated lessons. Lexia provides students with a personalized learning path in order to demonstrate proficiency in skills with support and scaffolding.

 

1. iReady Reading: What is i-Ready and how did we use it in the 4th Grade classroom?

According to the i-Ready website, i-Ready is a digital program that helps teachers determine students’ needs, personalizes student learning, and monitors progress throughout the school year.

i-Ready consists of two parts: Diagnostic and Personalized Instruction. The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions based on each individual student’s responses. The i-Ready Personalized Instruction provides lessons to students based on their specific literacy needs. 

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Lessons Learned:

• Usage needs to be consistent. Provide a scheduled time for students to actively explore and engage in the self-paced program. 

• Personalized lessons should be given in a timely manner.

• The importance of using technology as a tool to personalize learning. 

• The importance of analyzing data in order to personalize instruction within a blended learning environment. 

 

Submitting Article to:

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Links to Innovation Project on our e-Portfolios:

Veronica Balli

Erika Peña

Ileana Reyna

 

Resources: 

Arnett, T. (2021, September 16). Wait: Are schools actually doing blended learning? Christensen Institute.     

 

     https://www.christenseninstitute.org/blog/wait-are-schools-actually-doing-blended-learning/?_sf_s=blended+learning 

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Horn, M., Staker, H. (2015). Blended: Using disruptive innovation to improve schools. Jossey-Bass A Wiley Brand. 

 

      ISTE blog submission guidelines. (n.d.). ISTE. Retrieved June 11, 2022, from https://www.iste.org/membership/submission-   

 

     guidelines/blog-submission-guidelines

 

McLester, S. (2011, October). Building a blended learning program. District Administration, v47 n9, p40-42, 44, 46–48, 53 Oct 2011. 

 

     https://eric.ed.gov/?q=Building+a+Blended+Learning+Program+McLester%2c+Susan&id=EJ962531 

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What is i-ready? (n.d.). i-Ready Central. Retrieved June 11, 2022, from https://i-readycentral.com/familycenter/what-is-i-ready/

 

Why lexia. (n.d.). Lexia Learning. Retrieved June 11, 2022, from https://www.lexialearning.com/why-lexia/ 

 

Your turn: Write for us. (n.d.). Edutopia. Retrieved June 10, 2022, from https://www.edutopia.org/about/your-turn-write-us 

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