Reflections on Digital Learning Day and the NYSCATE Blended Learning Summit

New York State is famous for innovation, leading the way in finance and culture, publishing and trade. Now, the state is poised to embark on a new challenge and embrace the promise of blended learning.

The Education Elements team celebrated Digital Learning Day in Albany at the Blended Learning Summit sponsored by the New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE). The Summit was designed for New York’s K-20 education community to discuss, learn, and share best practices around blended learning.

Ken Slentz, Deputy Commissioner of P-12 Education at the New York State Education Department, began the day by addressing the standing-room only crowd. Slentz reiterated the state’s support for blended learning and challenged vendors in the digital learning space, saying, “We will not accept anything that is low rigor or low quality. Do not tell us that something is aligned to Common Core, do not say you have developed something that will change that way students learn … without quality of rigor, access, and equity.”

Michael Horn, Executive Director of the Innosight Institute, gave the keynote address. Horn spoke about blended learning in the context of his research on disruptive innovation. Horn warn the audience that disruptive innovation often seems inevitable – but it is not. Horn challenged New York not to be paralyzed by challenges and to focus on the leadership that successful blended learning requires.

The Education Elements team offered their expertise on a series of panels that covered the nuts-and-bolts of blended learning.

Participants engaged in two “Blended Learning in Action” simulations led by Education Elements. They learned about blended learning while taking part in a three-group rotation model – rotating between independent work viewing videos and case studies; collaborative work designing blended learning classrooms with their peers; and direct instruction. One participant noted, “I think a particularly important takeaway of this session is that, if you are working with your staff, administration, students… you model what a good Blended Learning session model looks like. Don't talk about Blended Learning by delivering direct instruction via a PowerPoint!”

Three frequent comments heard from participants were ‘how are we going to fund this?,’ ‘how do we know what content is out there?,’ and ‘how do I get my teachers ready?’ To address these questions, the Education Elements team shared ideas on how to fund blended learning by breaking it down into one-time, periodic, and recurring costs. The team also shared expertise on selecting digital content and professional development – two of the day’s most popular panels.

The closing panel featured a case study about schools in Pennsylvania’s Hybrid Learning Initiative. Representatives from Lebanon and Manheim school districts, as well as Amy Morton, Executive Deputy Secretary from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, reflected on the challenge of getting started. They noted that while initially it was difficult to get teachers, school leaders, and legislators on-board, it appears that the bumpy road is starting to pay off. Teachers that were initially resistant to going blended now say they do not want to go back to the “old way” of teaching. Morton noted that in the Governor’s speech to unveil the state’s education budget, he mentioned a Pennsylvania blended learning school three times.

To close the day, NYSCATE president Dr. Amy Perry-Corvo drew the name of a district that won a free Blended Learning in Action workshop from Education Elements. Out of dozens of entries, Kingston City School District was selected the winner!

NYCSATE members are eager to continue the conversation. One member posted on the online discussion page, "SO? Can we keep this group going for possible exchange of ideas or help on particular projects? I would like to use it as I get some of my best ideas from fellow NYSCATE members." Education Elements would love to hear your comments. We invite people to visit us on our Facebook page to continue the discussion on blended learning.

Perhaps most exciting was the energy in the room. New York’s education technology leaders were not wondering if they could move towards blended learning – but when. It was a successful Digital Learning Day for New York and the Education Elements team!