Blended Learning to Launch in 2016-17

At last night’s School Board Meeting (May 3, 2016), members of the  Barrington 220 Department of Technology & Innovation presented a Blended Learning Update. Administrators LeeAnn Taylor (Director of Media Services), Joe Robinson (Director of Instructional Technology), and Matt Fuller (Assistant Superintendent for Technology & Innovation) were joined by two Barrington High School teachers, Tom Bredemeier and Wendy Sanchez. Mr. Bredemeier, a BHS Computer Science teacher, and Ms. Sanchez, a BHS Physical Education teacher, both spoke eloquently about their efforts creating some of Barrington 220’s first-ever blended learning courses to be offered during the 2016–17 school year.

Blended learning is an education program where students are taught partly online and partly face-to-face, while students have some control over the time, place, path, and/or pace of their learning. Blended learning is an instructional initiative, not a technology initiative. Blended learning strategies, such as flipped classroom, may be used by any teacher at any time. However, for a complete course to be blended, significant time and care are required to re-envision instructional strategies to best capitalize on the blended options offered.

The overall presentation is just over 20 minutes. To listen to any part of the presentation, click the links below to jump directly to different parts of the video. Highlights from each section of the presentation are also provided below.

Presentation Opening

end: 1:04:32

Matt Fuller introduces LeeAnn Taylor, Joe Robinson, Tom Bredemeier, and Wendy Sanchez.

Review of Blended Learning

end: 1:09:36




Blended Learning is:

• NOT technology-enriched instruction.
• NOT learning in an online-only environment.
• NOT eliminating the need for teachers.
• NOT intended to increase class sizes.
• NOT solving a particular problem with our current practices.

Why Blended Learning in Barrington 220?

• Meets the needs of all learners.
• Cultivates an environment where all students have unique opportunities and are inspired to excel.
• Contributes to a flexible learning environment.
• Demonstrates best practices in instruction.
• Creates a hybrid traditional/digital student learning environment.
• Prepares students for post-secondary experiences.

Professional Development

end: 1:11:02

Barrington High School Blended Learning Study Group (2015–16)

• Provide professional development in a modeled blended environment.
• Utilize blending strategies in current classrooms.
• Create recommendations for possible courses.

2016–17 BHS Blended Course Update

end: 1:19:09

Area of Focus: Blended instruction will increase opportunities for students to have additional access to individual or small group instruction.

Blended Learning in the Classroom

end: 1:26:28

BHS Teachers

• Mr. Tom Bredemeier shares his vision for his 2016–17 BHS Computer Science course.
• Ms. Wendy Sanchez discusses the development of her 2016–18 BHS Physical Education course.

School Board Questions and Answers