This document summarizes the expansion of blended learning programs at Palisades Cyber Academy. It discusses how the academy started in 2011 providing K-12 cyber options and has since expanded to include cyber centers, online credit recovery, blended computer programming courses, and partnerships with other school districts. The academy aims to identify students needing remediation early and designs individualized learning plans. Future plans include integrating massive open online courses, fully blended curriculums, summer session credit programs, and early graduation/degree options. The director advocates asking why current practices cannot be improved and taking risks to push the boundaries of creativity in education.

1. A Deeper Dive
Expanding Blended
Learning For All Learners
Palisades Cyber Academy
Rich Kiker
rkiker@palisadessd.org

2. PCA Background
• Mass customized learning
• Agile and responsive organization
• Palisades teachers as much as possible
• Started in 2011
• K-12 cyber options, while
promoting blended

3. What came next?
The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present.
The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise -- with the
occasion.
~Abraham Lincoln

4. Cyber Centers
• Fully staffed, open during school hours
• Serves diverse student needs

5. Online Credit Recovery
• Second chance learning
• Improve graduation rates
• Students first

6. Blended Computer Programming
• Autonomy
• Extending STEM
• Math, Science, Technology
• App
Inventor, scripting
languages

7. Partnerships
• Quakertown SD partnership
• No cost seat exchange
• A knowledge economy is built on
partnerships, not in hierarchies or silos

8. Keystone Remediation
• BSN 3.0 design
• Early identification
• Designed by Palisades teachers

9. Where are we going?
“If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance even less.”
~Anonymous

10. Ideas On Deck
• MOOC integration
• Fully blended curriculum
• Full credit summer sessions
• Early graduation, early degree programs

11. Opportunity and Growth
• Look at every aspect of your school and ask
why? Can it be done better?
• Be a launch pad, not a lily pad
• Be an institution of creativity, not conformity
“Why? Why are the things the way they are? Why can’t we change them?… the truth is, it’s too
easy to say ‘no’ all the time. It’s too easy to be cautious. Pushing the boundaries of creativity
means saying ‘yes’, taking risks, trying new things, learning, and being surprised”
~Lorraine Twohill, Google

12. A Deeper Dive
Rich Kiker
Director of Online Learning
Palisades Cyber Academy
rkiker@palisadessd.org