State of opportunity:
The status and direction of blended learning in Ohio

By: and

October 15, 2015
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By Thomas Arnett, Andrew Benson, Brian Bridges, Katrina Bushko, Lisa Duty, and Saro Mohammed

Introduction

In February and March of 2015, the Ohio Blended Learning Network, The Learning Accelerator (TLA), and the Clayton Christensen Institute, in collaboration with eLearning consultant Brian Bridges, conducted the Ohio Blended Learning Survey. The purpose of the survey was to provide an overview of the blended-learning environment in Ohio in general and in particular, answer four distinct questions: Who is implementing blended learning? What blended-learning models are being employed? How are these models being developed? What are the challenges to and lessons learned from implementing blended learning?

The initial survey was adapted from the California eLearning Census and consisted of seven demographic, 15 multiple-choice, and five open-ended questions administered to all charter schools and districts in Ohio. A follow-up survey, consisting of four multiple-choice and three open-ended questions, was later sent to the charter schools and districts that indicated on the initial survey that they are blending. Out of the 994 charter schools and districts in Ohio, 211 responded to the initial survey, with 122 indicating that they are currently implementing blended learning. Out of those 122 respondents, 67 completed the follow-up survey.

This paper summarizes the survey results and provides some brief observations and recommendations for schools in Ohio and beyond.

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Thomas Arnett is a senior research fellow for the Clayton Christensen Institute. His work focuses on using the Theory of Disruptive Innovation to study innovative instructional models and their potential to scale student-centered learning in K–12 education. He also studies demand for innovative resources and practices across the K–12 education system using the Jobs to Be Done Theory.

As research associate and BLU partnerships manager, Katrina researches teacher professional development programs and examines how to increase student social capital in schools. Katrina also oversees partner relationships for the Blended Learning Universe.