Innovation Proposal
Blended Learning in Social Studies

Dear Teachers and Administrators of Rio Rancho Public Schools,

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       There is a unique and most urgent opportunity to better engage students and address student learning gaps. This has been an issue for decades and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the problem. The inconsistency of learning due to quarantines, difficult learning environments, lack of support with online learning and the mental health of both teachers and students has led not only to gaps in learning for individual students but also to increased inequality in education.

Personalized learning has been supported by researchers and administrators as essential to addressing individual student needs but has always proven difficult to fully implement, especially in secondary classrooms. However with a blended learning environment, teachers will be able to create a flexible framework where students will have the time and resources to show mastery before moving to the next subject. 

Guidelines for a blended learning environment:

• Growth mindset will be modeled and utilized daily to create a significant learning environment and promote a learner’s mindset.

• Students will have access to school issued Chromebook or personal laptops.

• Instead of a one-size-fits-all pacing, each unit will have a flexible framework.

• Students will have opportunities to show mastery of a topic and skill.

• Students will have opportunities in EVERY class to collaborate with peers and work one-on-one with the teacher while also having the freedom to further investigate topics for a deeper understanding.

The benefits of blended learning will be monumental. Most importantly, students will become more engaged with choice and ownership over their learning and will be given the time and resources to show mastery of each topic and skill. Teachers can more accurately identify and support the learning needs of each learner while challenging each student academically. With more opportunities for authentic and project based learning, students will be able to acquire and practice skills that reflect their experiences in the real world. 

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I am very excited to implement and pilot a blended learning environment in my classroom. I will share the data and results of my piloted program at the end of the school year, and I hope to have the support and expertise of the administration, the department chairs, instructional coaches and fellow teachers to help problem solve and make adjustments. Not only will all students show growth through blended learning, but they will also develop a growth mindset with the mentality and skills to help them be successful in every future endeavor.

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Sincerely,

Anna Akuretiya