1. New Jersey Department of EducationNew Jersey Department of Education
Blended Learning Modules (BLMs) OverviewBlended Learning Modules (BLMs) Overview
Presented by RAC Team 5Presented by RAC Team 5::
Sharon Biggs, Amutah Chinobli, Ellen Clay,Sharon Biggs, Amutah Chinobli, Ellen Clay,
Stephanie Crea, Francesca Finazzo, Janice Gabbidon,Stephanie Crea, Francesca Finazzo, Janice Gabbidon,
Roger McCloughan & Joanna SantanaRoger McCloughan & Joanna Santana
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2. The NJDOE’s Division of Teaching & Learning, the New
Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), and the New Jersey
Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA / FEA)
worked together to create a suite of dynamic online
blended learning modules to assist educators in their
efforts to form and maintain efficient and active
professional learning communities (PLCs), using the
Connected Action Roadmap (CAR) model developed by the
NJPSA.
New Jersey Department of EducationNew Jersey Department of Education
Blended Online Learning Modules OverviewBlended Online Learning Modules Overview
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3. 09/09/16 3Blended Learning Module (BLM) Presentation

4. What is Blended Learning?What is Blended Learning?
 Blended Learning, according to the Clayton Christensen Institute for
Disruptive Innovation is, “A formal education program in which a student
learns at least in part through online delivery of content and instruction with
some element of student control over time, place, path and /or pace.”
 Blended Learning is a shift to an online delivery for a portion of the day to
make students, teachers, and schools more productive academically.
Clayton Christensen Institute Website. Blended Learning Definitions Webpage.
http://www.christenseninstitute.org/blended-learning-definitions-and-models/?
gclid=CNG49NO7qcYCFZFgfgodrk0A7Q

5. Potential Benefits Of the BLM’sPotential Benefits Of the BLM’s
 Might increase the amount of time students are engaged in
learning as well as the instructor’s / teacher's ability to teach
each student on his or her level.
 Might make it easier for instructors / teachers to more
immediately and effectively provide interventions/enrichment
for students.
 Might provide more time throughout the school day for
targeted instruction and feedback at a pace appropriate for
each student.
 Might give greater access to technology and better familiarize
students with how to use technology for learning.
 Might extend opportunities for learning beyond the classroom,
giving students access to software remotely and at any time.
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6. IntentIntent
These FREE online Moodle-housed platforms
emerged in response to the growing need
for higher - quality, sustained, collaborative
professional learning communities (PLCs)
that support the growing demands of
Instructional collaboration.
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Blended Learning Module (BLM) Presentation

7. Also…Also…
 BLMs are part of the cycle of teaching and learning as
teachers refine their practices, and use data from
formative, summative and PARCC assessments to inform
practice and scaffold and differentiate student learning.
 Professional support may occur in “real time” where
teams of teachers from remote locations can meet
virtually or Skype with a consultant on the content of
the BLMs.
 Facilitators / Coaches will work directly with educators
regionally, in district and/or at on-site locations.
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8. Desired OutcomeDesired Outcome
The desired outcome of the BLM project is
to build tools that support educators who
are trying to strengthen and align their
instructional practices with the Common
Core Standards.
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9. DesignDesign
BLMs have the capacity to reach
educators across classrooms, across
schools, across district and across states.
BLM course facilitators / coaches provide
individualized attention to educators and
PLCs via comments and responses to
questions posted in BLMs.
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11. Let’s Take a Look…
http://www.online-plc.org/index.php
Welcome to the New Jersey Department of Education's
Blended Online Learning Modules…
 Each of the courses in this collection has multiple sections with
activities, videos, and resources.
 There are interactive tools and exemplars to allow teachers to gain a
better sense of what is expected, and how they might be implemented.
 These courses promote using the online environment to guide the
interaction and collaboration of your Professional Learning Community
(PLC) to improve student learning.
 Please note that in order to access any course, you must self-enroll.
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12. Should this resource beShould this resource be
adopted? Why?adopted? Why?
Possibly. Deeper investigation about current implementation at categorized & non - categorized
schools should occur first.
It has the potential to be an exciting and innovative platform and program for categorized and non -
categorized schools looking to form and maintain efficient and active Professional Learning Communities
(PLCs), using the Connected Action Roadmap (CAR) model.
What steps should the RACsWhat steps should the RACs
take in order to adopt andtake in order to adopt and
use this resource?use this resource?
• Engage the Teaching and Learning Division and the trained coaches / facilitators in conversations to assess &
evaluate the effectiveness of existing Blended Learning Modules (BLMs) in New Jersey categorized and non-
categorized public schools.
• Train all RAC staff on the BLMs to help develop practical and sustainable levels of understanding.
• NJDOE PD events on the BLMs (posted on the NJDOE’s Calendar of Events).
• Surveys to monitor progress and establish next steps for BLM implementation in schools.
What barriers to use areWhat barriers to use are
anticipated?anticipated?
Traditional mindsets, time, and a resistance toward non - traditional teaching and learning approaches such as
online learning, PLCs, technology integration, flipped classrooms, etc.
How can we encourageHow can we encourage
district engagement withdistrict engagement with
this resource?this resource?
Research and then share BLM success stories with school and district leadership teams, and then explore he
possibility of including BLM initiatives in SIP SMART Goals and action steps.
What support from RACWhat support from RAC
teams and RAC Central willteams and RAC Central will
be needed to use thisbe needed to use this
resource?resource?
 A link to BLMs on the NJDOE RAC Website.
 Monthly DOE broadcasts about BLMs to all RAC Priority and Focus Schools.
 Guiding the formation of BLM PLCs in every RAC Priority and Focus School.
 Monthly BLM webinars and PD events/activities open to all RAC Priority and Focus Schools.
If possible, how does theIf possible, how does the
resource compare to othersresource compare to others
listed (or at least those thatlisted (or at least those that
appear to be related)?appear to be related)?
Team 1________ – Utilize the BLM PLC as part of the Student Assessment Inventory for School Districts.
Teams 2, 3, and 4 – Utilize the BLM PLCs to review the Assessment Evaluation Tool (AET) and the Assessment
Design Toolkit.
*Each requires a team of educators to explore, evaluate, and plan.
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