What this Course Doesn't Cover

There are several crucial elements of blended learning that this course does not discuss.

1) Infrastructure - Blended learning, whether the digital piece is undertaken in school or outside of school, has to be taken into account. Are there sufficient and appropriate devices in the school/classroom to satisfy the needs of every student? Can the school technology infrastructure handle the increased load? Do all students have access to the necessary devices at home? Here's an online survey to help asses your district's resources.

2) Community buy-in - If you are going to change your teaching model, it may require that you get your community - administrators, parents, and even students - to buy in to the concept.

3) Cost - Blended learning may bring about additional costs. Is there funding for it?

4) Training and Professional Development - Is the school prepared to provide the necessary training and professional development to ensure that teachers can successfully negotiate the new teaching model? Are teachers prepared to put the time into rethinking their teaching and learning the tools necessary?

5) Support - Will you have the supports necessary to be successful?

6) Digital Inequity - Some of your students may not have sufficient access to the technology necessary to succeed in a blended learning environment. Here's a recent NY Times article.

These are important elements - indeed they may be crucial, depending upon your circumstances - but they are beyond the scope of this course.

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