You’ve found NexTech because you are interested in learning more about a blended learning approach to school or blended classrooms and how they may enrich your educational experience. Read on to discover more about the following:
- What blended learning is and how to transition to it
- How NexTech classrooms implement both face to face and online learning styles to promote student achievement
What Is Blended Learning?
Virtual learning, distance learning, and flex education are typically interchangeable concepts. The student takes part in a blended learning environment in which he or she does not go to in-person school full-time — but a blended course may look different at different schools.
At one school, a student may simply turn in assignments online with no interaction with the teacher. At another, the learning may be project-based, meaning that the students complete a virtual module as part of their learning, but they do not spend nearly as much time away from school as the first student.
The Benefits of a Blended Learning Model
At NextTech, our students attend school either in the morning or afternoon session. This provides them with the opportunity to go to school to ask questions and spend the rest of their day studying, spending time with family, and completing assignments. In addition, blended learning can provide several advantages for students when compared with traditional in-person school, including the following:
- Students attend for a half-day and have a more flexible schedule
- Students can balance socialization with independent study
- Students benefit from increased independence as they transition to college
Transitioning To a Blended Learning Environment
For educational institutions hoping to implement a blended curriculum, it is often recommended to start blended learning in one entire grade level rather than making a few classes virtual, and a few rely on in-person instruction.
At NexTech, our students come to us at the beginning of high school and stay with us through graduation. This allows them to attend school with the same group of classmates in a supportive environment that utilizes both virtual and in-person instruction.
If you are a student transitioning to virtual learning, you may want to begin by assessing your ability to work independently. Do you enjoy completing assignments alone and having unstructured free time in which to do so? Can you see yourself thriving in an environment that lets you own your future by taking advantage of professional development opportunities such as internships? Would you come to your teachers with questions during in-person hours? If so, transitioning to a blended learning school may be the ideal choice for you.
Tips and Precautions
Blending learning is not suitable for everyone, but that doesn’t mean that a nontraditional school environment is not ideal for you. For example, you may do better in an all-virtual climate, or perhaps you focus better in a brick-and-mortar location where you spend all day with access to your teachers.
Students who succeed in a blended or completely virtual course — whether the personalized instruction is synchronous or asynchronous — are often self-directed learners with strong decision-making skills.
Get In Touch To Learn More
If you think that a blended approach would be a good fit for you, we invite you to visit us at either of our Grand Rapids and Lansing, MI locations or contact NexTech High School through our convenient contact form to learn more about the unique way we approach education. We look forward to speaking with you about all our school has to offer!
Contact Us on our website or call our Grand Rapids, MI Location!
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