Organizations
The Learning Accelerator is a nonprofit whose mission is to accelerate the implementation of high-quality blended learning in school districts across America. The organization is partnering with a select group of innovative school districts and assisting them with a full implementation of blended learning in their schools. Over time, these implementation strategies will be refined and scaled and made available to school districts nationwide.
International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) is a nonprofit organization that works to ensure all students have access to a world-class education and quality blended and online learning opportunities that prepare them for a lifetime of success. It focuses on research; developing policy for student-centered education to ensure equity and access; developing quality standards for emerging learning models using online, blended, and competency-based education; and supporting the ongoing professional development of classroom, school, district and state leaders for new learning models.
The Khan Academy provides a variety of online tutorials and support for teachers, parents, students, and others looking to master academic content. Learners are provided instantaneous feedback, progress is monitored through a rich data system, and learners receive badges that highlight their understanding of topic areas.
Project 24, an initiative of the Alliance for Excellent Education, is a one-stop shop of comprehensive district-level planning tools, expert advice, creative ideas, and tangible suggestions from experienced education experts and nonprofit education membership organizations.
New Tech Network (NTN) is a nonprofit organization that helps students gain the knowledge and deeper learning skills they need to succeed in life, college, and the careers of tomorrow. The organization works nationwide with schools, districts, and communities to provide services and support that enable schools to fundamentally re-imagine teaching and learning through strategies that emphasize project-based learning, technology integration, and a culture that promotes respect, trust and responsibility.
Project Tomorrow supports integrating technology into classrooms and annually conducts the Speak Up survey, which looks at student and teacher use and opinions about classroom technology.
Articles and Reports
Blended Learning Implementation Guide, ver. 2.0, co-authored by Digital Learning NOW, Getting Smart and The Learning Accelerator, is a comprehensive handbook designed to help leaders create the conditions for success in planning, implementing, and evaluating their blended learning efforts.
Classifying K-12 Blended Learning, by Heather Staker and Michael Horn, describes blended learning and classifies four different models through which it is implemented. Horn and Staker recently released an updated version of this paper, “Is K-12 Blended Learning Disruptive? An Introduction of the Theory of Hybrids.”
Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning: An Annual Review of Policy and Practice (2013) is the 10th in a series of annual reports that began in 2004 that examine the status of K-12 online education across the country. The report provides an overview of the latest policies, practices, and trends affecting online learning programs across all 50 states.
Social Media, Social Life: How Teens View Their Digital Lives This research report by Victoria Rideout (Common Sense Media, 2012) discusses the impact of social media use on teen’s social and emotional lives.
New York Times Coverage of Online Education – A series of pieces from the New York Times on how ineffective investments in technology could jeopardize student learning.