Next generation blends will teach to one (opinion)

“We believe there’s been a lack of transformative innovation in K-12,” according to Joel Rose, founder of nonprofit New Classrooms. His website proposes, “an alternate credible vision for

what’s possible in schools.” That vision includes a station rotation model driven by talented teachers, comprehensive learner profiles, and a smart recommendation engine. Rose thinks the new

vision must also be more effective, scalable, affordable, and supported by teachers, students, and other stakeholders. Over the last three years, the New Classrooms team has developed an

instructional model that seeks to addresses the inherent limitations in one of the more common forms of blended learning -- rotational models -- where students transition among two or three

learning stations within a class period. “The problem with rotational models is content alignment,” said Rose. “A kid at the computer station is working on something on his/her level but

then goes to the teacher station and usually works on something different--even if teacher has a dashboard, kids are all over the map.” “The power of the blended model is that multiple

modalities can reinforce the same skill in different ways,” said Rose, “but that requires live and digital to be singing off the same page.” This lack of alignment between adaptive and

engaging online math instruction and a teacher-taught core curriculum have plagued math blends for a decade. In a flipped classroom, Rose says, “The live instruction and digital learning are

aligned but it is not personalized if every kid is doing the same lesson regardless of their readiness.” Rose thinks the “most optimal use of blended models is when live instruction and

digital learning are aligned in ways that are personalized--that requires thoughtful design.” Rose appreciates that next-generation learning combine organizational design and new tools to

support individual learning progressions for students. TEACH TO ONE Described in this video, Teach to One is the New Classrooms middle grade math blended learning model with four primary

modalities: * Teacher-led investigations: 15-20 students work with a teacher to explore a concept * Collaborative: small group (3-6 students) problem solving and peer-to-peer support *

Virtual: coached instruction, virtual reinforcement, and live tutors * Independent practice: they even use pencil and paper worksheets! Informed by an end of session quiz, a recommendation

engine suggests a daily schedule for each student based on their prior performance and allowing them to learn at the right level and in the best possible modality. Through multiple session

tasks (i.e., small projects) students apply skills to real-world applications. A Teachers College evaluation of seven urban middle schools in Chicago, New York, and Washington D.C. showed

that Teach to One students outgained similar students by about 20%. Rose and his co-founder Chris Rush are laying the groundwork for rapid expansion. They think that will take a solution

that is measurably more effective than traditional approaches, liked by educators, scalable and affordable. It looks like they are on their way. _This is the second in the #SmartBlend series

on middle grade math. For more see _ _Reflections on Khan Blends_ _._