Why introduce a blended learning model into your instruction? What benefits are there for you as a teacher and for your students as learners? The graphic above, from the Digital Learning Now Blended Learning Implementation Guide, offers 10 drivers of blended learning. Let's look at several in detail.

Personalization - If a student is struggling with a concept that others have already gotten, an online space where she can learn on her own, in her own time, lets her catch up. If several students are struggling with the same concept, a small group working together with a digital resource may be just what they need to master the concept. In either case, the availability of the resource - whether used in or out of school - means students can get the help they need. Many of the websites that provide such personalization also deliver the results to the teacher in an easily digestible manner so that he can keep track of and direct the students.

Individual Progress - Students can progress at their own pace if the resources are made available to them. This can free the teacher to work with the majority of students, or with students who need more help and direction.

Engagement - There is no question that students today find digital learning in many cases more engaging than classroom learning. Many websites gamify the learning, appealing even more to students accustomed to playing video games.

Extending Teacher Reach - Having students do some work on a computer - whether during school or outside - should free up teacher time, meaning the teacher can spend additional time with students who may need additional explanation. It may also mean that a teacher can work with more students.

Narrowing the Digital Divide - The more students use technology - whether it is in the classroom, at home, on school work or playing video games - the more comfortable they become with the technology. If every student has to use the technology, then every student will benefit from that use and this can help, at least in theory, narrow the digital divide.

The Digital Experience - There are many experiences students can have in the digital environment that are difficult or impossible to have in the classroom. Simulations, for example, can be done with computers (Check out this from Geogebra.).

The research is also behind blended learning. In an important meta-analysis, the Department of Education found that the best learning outcomes resulted from blended learning models.

Here is a table listing the benefits of both blended learning and extended time from a report from the National Center on Time & Learning.

Here's a nice infographic about the benefits of blended learning (or teaching) for teachers.