TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION vs BLENDED LEARNING

Lately I have noticed the term "blended learning" being used as a catch all. Technology integration and blended learning each have their place in education, but they are not equal! Just because a cool technology tool is being used to enhance the learning process does not mean that it is blended learning.

 

Technology Integration

Technology integration is using technology as a tool to enhance education and allow students to demonstrate a deep understanding of content. Successful technology integration uses technology in a transformative nature rather than simply as a replacement.

"Integrating technology into classroom instruction means more than teaching basic computer skills and software programs in a separate computer class. Effective tech integration must happen across the curriculum in ways that research shows deepen and enhance the learning process. In particular, it must support four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts. Effective technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is routine and transparent and when technology supports curricular goals." (edutopia.org)

 

Blended Learning

Blended learning takes technology integration further by "leveraging the internet to afford each student a more personalized learning experience, meaning increased student control over time, place, path, and/or pace of his or her learning" (www.christenseninstitute.org)

Blended Learning is an integrated, student centered pedagogical approach in which a student learns at least in part through online delivery of content and instruction with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace and at least in part at a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home. ("Classifying K-12 Blended Learning", Innosight Institute, May 2012, p.7)

Blended learning involves leveraging the Internet to afford each student a more personalized learning experience, meaning increased student control over the time, place, path, and/or pace of his or her learning. - See more at: http://www.christenseninstitute.org/blended-learning-3/#sthash.Dkn62jaY.dpuf

Blended learning involves leveraging the Internet to afford each student a more personalized learning experience, meaning increased student control over the time, place, path, and/or pace of his or her learning. - See more at: http://www.christenseninstitute.org/blended-learning-3/#sthash.Dkn62jaY.dpuf

Blended learning involves leveraging the Internet to afford each student a more personalized learning experience, meaning increased student control over the time, place, path, and/or pace of his or her learning. - See more at: http://www.christenseninstitute.org/blended-learning-3/#sthash.Dkn62jaY.dpuf

Blended learning involves leveraging the Internet to afford each student a more personalized learning experience, meaning increased student control over the time, place, path, and/or pace of his or her learning. - See more at: http://www.christenseninstitute.org/blended-learning-3/#sthash.Dkn62jaY.dpuf

a formal education program in which a student learns:
at least in part through online learning, with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace;
at least in part in a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home;
and the modalities along each student’s learning path within a course or subject are connected to provide an integrated learning experience.
- See more at: http://www.christenseninstitute.org/blended-learning-3/#sthash.Dkn62jaY.dpuf

a formal education program in which a student learns:
at least in part through online learning, with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace;
at least in part in a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home;
and the modalities along each student’s learning path within a course or subject are connected to provide an integrated learning experience.
- See more at: http://www.christenseninstitute.org/blended-learning-3/#sthash.Dkn62jaY.dpuf

What do you think? How would you define technology integration vs. blended learning?