Online and blended learning strategies emerge for K-12 education

New educational resources and frameworks are emphasizing the integration of online and blended learning within K-12 ecosystems. In the book ‘Online By Choice’, authors Stephanie Moore and Michael Barbour argue that online learning is a vital component of school resilience and flexibility, rather than just a temporary emergency measure.

The authors provide guidance for educators to align instructional needs with school infrastructure to move beyond the uncoordinated remote learning experienced during the pandemic. This approach seeks to create a robust educational ecosystem that includes face-to-face, blended, and online instruction.

Blended learning is defined as a connected experience where online components purposefully prepare students for, extend, or inform classroom activities. Effective blended learning requires students to have some control over the time, place, path, or pace of their learning, ensuring that digital tasks directly influence subsequent in-person instruction.