Blended learning program offers students new way to learn

Students at Maricopa Wells Middle School, Desert Wind Middle School and ninth graders at Maricopa High School are getting increased exposure to online learning and programs this school year.

“We are also expanding blended learning this year,” Superintendent Steve Chestnut said. “It will be a part of our middle schools’ and Grade 9 curriculum at the high school, as we are offering a more intensive online learning program.”

Chestnut said the program is available for sixth grade students this year who are no longer attending middle schools in Maricopa as of the 2014-15 school year.

Maricopa Wells Principal Rick Abel explained how the 20 + 1 Blended Learning Program works for the 65 students involved in his school.

“Each student learns under the guidance of highly qualified teachers for their Math, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies classes and has the opportunity to participate in the electives, activities, athletics and assemblies provided for the rest of the 500 students on our campus,” Abel said.

“During their 20 + 1 classes, the students each use a Chromebook to access educational resources, receive direct instruction and small group or individual tutoring from their teachers and work collaboratively on project activities,” Abel said. “All instruction is aligned to the Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards.”

Students will participate in numerous project based activities, including the National Future Cities Competition.

This model allows students to take ownership of their own learning and increases student engagement and achievement according to Abel.

“20 + 1 is designed to meet the needs of students who are self-starters, interested in the use of technology and excited to have opportunities to demonstrate their accomplishments through the completion of challenging projects,” Abel said. “The program is not designed for all students but offers an excellent choice for many of our kids.”

“It’s effective because it caters to this generation’s learning style,” teacher Joe Szoltysik said. “It’s very technologically based and provides a comfortable environment for students to be social and caters to the way they interact with one another. Students are conditioned differently now and some don’t respond to the archaic learning approach of sitting in a desk with a pencil and a piece of paper.”

The classroom has no assigned seats and some students sit on couches with their laptops.***ADVERTISEMENT***