Exploring the Effectiveness of Blended Learning Communities in K-12 Settings
Abstract: While the growth of blended learning environments in higher and non-educational settings has increased in recent years, this has not been the case in K-12 settings. Thus, a limited amount of research related to the effectiveness of blended learning in K-12 settings has emerged. Recently, in an effort to explore the effectiveness of K-12 blended learning, Florida Virtual School, has been piloting blended learning communities. Thus, the purpose of this presentation is to report the results of a study designed to assess conditions that influence the effectiveness of K-12 blended learning communities, and to explore factors important to successful course completion, student satifsfaction, increased student outcomes, as well as the influence of blended learning communities on learners’ dispositions toward content. Further, this presentation will examine factors that influence the effectiveness of K-12 blended learning settings from both the student, faculty, and system perspectives, focusing primarily on course completion, learner satisfaction, improved student outcomes, and learner dispositions. Findings will inform the design, development, and implementation of future K-12 blended teaching and learning environments in an effort to support and strengthen student achievement, the preparation of teachers to facilitate effective blended learning settings, and a multitude of other issues related to implementing blended learning in K-12 schools.
Presider: Laurie Sharp, West Texas A&M University