1. LITERATURE REVIEW
Blended Learning
by Steve Aiken and Ruth Thomas
Word Count: 3100
Background
The term blended learning has been appearing in research literature since the late 1990s (Friesen,
2012) however its definition and pedagogical implications have become more defined in recent
literature. Much of the recent research around blended learning in schools has been carried out by
Michael Horn and Heather Staker of the Clayton Christensen Institute, which describes itself as “a
nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank dedicated to improving the world through disruptive innovation”
(“About Us,” 2015). Michael Horn is the executive director of the education programme, leading a
team focused on disruptive innovation in education (“Michael B. Horn,” 2015). Heather Staker is a
Senior Research Fellow at the institute and is considered to be “one of the world’s foremost
experts on K12 blended learning” (“Heather Staker,” 2015, para. 1).
There is no research into blended learning at primary school level in New Zealand and limited
research available into blended learning at elementary level in American Schools. The literature
shows that many of the schools implementing blended learning models in America are using
software or programmes statewide that are state or government funded.
Purpose
Due to a strong personal interest in the concept of blended learning and a desire to explore
whether it would be successful in our learning context, this literature review was undertaken to
establish; what blended learning is, the benefits and drawbacks of implementing blended learning
and the implications for our learning environment. This literature review seeks to fully apprise us of
the latest developments with respect to modern research on blended learning at the K12 school
level and in doing so form a platform from which we could then look at how blended learning could
be implemented in a New Zealand primary school context to enhance student learning.
Definitions of Blended Learning
The literature around blended learning shows that the term is used widely, but often incorrectly. A
common confusion is referring to technology rich instruction as blended learning (Groff, 2013; Horn
7. References
About Us. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.christenseninstitute.org/ourmission/
Christensen, C., Horn, M. & Staker, H. (2013). Is K12 Blended Learning Disruptive? An
introduction of the theory of hybrids. Retrieved from
http://www.christenseninstitute.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/05/IsK12BlendedLearningDisruptive.pdf
Friesen, N. (2012). Report: Defining Blended Learning. Retrieved from
http://learningspaces.org/papers/Defining_Blended_Learning_NF.pdf
Garrison, D. R. & Kanuka, H. (2004). Blended learning: Uncovering its transformative potential in higher
education. Internet and Higher Education 7.2, 95–105. Retrieved from
http://cecs.anu.edu.au/files/flu_presentation/blended_learning/data/resources/Garrison_2004_The
InternetandHigherEducation.pdf
Garrison, D. R. & Vaughan, N. D. (2008). Blended Learning in Higher Education: Framework, Principles and
Guidelines. (1st ed.). San Francisco: CA: JosseyBass.
Groff, J. (2013). Technologyrich innovative learning environments. Innovative Learning Environments, 130.
Retrieved from
http://www.oecd.org/edu/ceri/TechnologyRich%20Innovative%20Learning%20Environments%20by%20
Jennifer%20Groff.pdf
Harding, A., Kaczynski, D. & Wood, L. (2005). Evaluation of blended learning: analysis of qualitative data.
UniServe Science Blended Learning Symposium Proceedings, 5662. Retrieved from
http://openjournals.library.usyd.edu.au/index.php/IISME/article/viewFile/6436/7085
Heather Staker. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.christenseninstitute.org/ourteam/heatherstaker/
Horn, M., & Staker, H. (2014). blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools (1st ed.). San
Francisco, CA: Wiley.
Horn, M., & Staker, H. (2011). The Rise of K12 Blended Learning. Innosight Institute. Retrieved from
http://www.christenseninstitute.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/04/TheriseofK12blendedlearning.pdf
Kaur, M. (2013). Blended Learning Its Challenges and Future. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences,
93, 612617. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.09.248
Māori learners. (2015) Retrieved from
http://tekotahitanga.tki.org.nz/About/ProfessionalDevelopment/Maorilearners
Michael B. Horn. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.christenseninstitute.org/ourteam/michaelbhorn/
Mitra, S. (2013, February). Build a School in the Cloud [Video]. Retrieved from
https://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_build_a_school_in_the_cloud
Murphy, R., Snow, E., Mislevy, J., Gallagher, L., Krumm, A. & Wei, X. (2014). Blended Learning Report.
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Retrieved from
http://5a03f68e230384a218e0938ec019df699e606c950a5614b999bd.r33.cf2.rackcdn.com/MSDF
BlendedLearningReportMay2014.pdf
Principles of Kaupapa Māori. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.rangahau.co.nz/researchidea/27/