Empowering students to succeed in the 21st Century!
Today, we live in a global economy in which technology, the Internet, the World Wide Web, search engines, hand-held electronic devices, artificial intelligence, gaming, robotics, and social media all provide us with information and resources and put us in touch with people, places, and ideas – instantly, and all the time. Technology has opened access to the world and provided a world of resources for our teachers and students.
Just as our world and our expectations are changing rapidly, the skills our students need to succeed are dramatically different today from what students needed 10 years ago. To prepare our students for success in the 21st century, we must change the way we support our teachers and students. To transform education for the 21st century, we need to rethink learning, rethink schools, and take advantage of all of the resources available to us.
Imagine if you could step into the future and visit one of our public schools ten years from now. Imagine where our students and teachers will get their information and what resources will support learning. Imagine the ways in which we will personalize learning experiences for each student. Imagine how our students will be able to benefit from digital learning – opening up a nearly infinite number of advanced courses in world languages, sciences, engineering, and the arts. Think about how our schedules could be made more flexible, with instruction available to students at any hour day or night, or on any day.
We are asking all of our educators in Rhode Island to take this imaginary journey into the future – and to bring that vision into our schools today.
What is Blended Learning
WHAT IS THE DIGITAL SHIFT AND HOW DO WE MAKE IT HAPPEN?
- Learning That Technology is Not a Silver Bullet
- Learning How to Ask the Right Questions
- Learning How to Become a Productivity Machine
- Learning That Change Occurs When People Work Together
Ed Tech Challenge - If you're asking yourself "How do I engage students with technology?", you're asking the wrong question.
Blended Learning 101 - Case for Blended Learning, Definition of Blended Learning, Blended Learning Model Definitions and Examples
Four Different Blended Learning Models - Flipped Classroom, Station Rotation, Lab Rotation, and Flex Model. This is a subset of blended learning models but are most applicable to teachers and schools today.
BlendedLearning.org - Additional Blended Learning Resources
Refining the Teacher Role - Implementing blended learning presents an opportunity to think about the role of the teacher...
RI VIRTUAL LEARNING CONCEPT MAP
Virtual Learning Policy And Guidance
RIDE is committed to working closely with various stakeholders and agencies to create policy supporting all learners ensuring access to technology; rigorous and engaging online content; customized learning; quality content, instruction and choices; articulation agreements; and resourcing.
VIRTUAL LEARNING ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Empowering Students to Succeed in the 21st Century
SHIFTING DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY POLICIES
Many local district technology policies are being updated to Responsible Use Policies underscoring a cultural shift from compliance to defining expectations and supporting responsible use. Examples of local updated policy:
VIRTUAL LEARNING GUIDANCE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
The USDOE Issues Guidance on Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Educational Services
The U.S. Department of Education today released model terms of service guidance and a training video aimed at helping schools and districts protect student privacy while using online educational services and applications.
The guidance offers examples of terms of service provisions to help school officials identify which online educational services and applications have strong privacy and data security policies and practices.
QUALITY
Learners in Rhode Island are assured access to quality instruction and learning opportunities through the Virtual Learning Regulations as well as, the Basic Education Program, the Secondary Regulations, Career and Technical Education Regulations, the Rhode Island Teaching Standards and the Education Evaluation Program. The Virtual Learning Regulations complement and enhance existing regulations by promoting students access to quality online learning opportunities as part of each student’s
pathway. Below are tools and resources that may be used to aid in the evaluation of content, instruction and programming. This list will grow as additional resources become available.
Content
Instruction
Programming
Use of Funds
- 2014 Letter of from Richard Culatta, USDOE, to help State, district, and eligible partnership grantees better understand how they may be able to use their federal grant funds to support innovative technology-based strategies to personalize learning.
Access to Technology: A Three Legged Stool
The Rhode Island educational landscape is changing greatly as districts and schools implement college and career-ready standards for all students; utilize online assessments to gage comprehension and learning; and deal with constrained school budgets. RIDE has several initiatives to help ensure that students and educators have access to the appropriate technology tools to achieve these goals.
Bandwidth - E-Rate/RITEAF Program
The Rhode Island Telecommunications Access Fund (RITEAF) program is a legislative commitment to ensure that Internet Access is available and affordable for all private and public K-12 schools and all public libraries. The RITEAF program supplements the federal E-Rate program.
Infrastructure - Wireless Classroom Initiative Technology Bond
RIDE, alongside a host of those in our educational community, worked hard to include a technology infrastructure investment in the Governor's budget that provides wireless access to the Internet in every classroom. The Wireless Classroom Initiative technology infrastructure bond provides $20 million to expand wireless access to all classrooms across the state.
Devices - All Inclusive Device Solution
A 
master price agreement and a memorandum of understanding are in place to provide schools with a bundled technology solution including the technology device and software, support and maintenance and extensive professional development opportunities. The agreement includes flexible leasing options that are designed to meet district financing needs.
All LEAs and schools, including charter schools, CTE Centers and school, state operated schools and collaboratives are able to opt-in to this opportunity.
All Inclusive Device Solution Handout [PDF, 405KB]
Master Price Agreement for All Inclusive Device Solution [PDF, 2.6MB]
Our partners, CDW-G, will be able to assist with every step along the way. Contact Henry Velosa at (203) 215-9599 or henrvel@cdw.com.
Rhode Island is the proud host of the New England Future Ready Summit! The goal of this effort is to help each district team come together to discuss their vision for student learning and begin making plans for using technology effectively - ensuring the following Future READY components are evident in all schools, to benefit every student.
- R - Robust, Rigorous Resources
- E - Engaged Students with Equitable Access
- A - Active Parents for Deeper Engagement
- D - Dedicated Educators
- Y - "YES Culture" of Leadership
The Blended Chronicle quarterly e-publication is dedicated to documenting and sharing experiences and raising awareness of the blended educational movement occurring in Rhode Island. The theme of how technology is changing and improving the educational landscape for both student and adults is woven throughout the articles found in the first edition.
In this issue:
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Call for Submissions!
If you are an educator, consultant, parent, or policymaker engaged in work around blended learning please consider submitting a piece to The Blended Chronicle. Public schools in Rhode Island are making amazing strides in the integration of technology and we want to showcase those efforts!
Submit Your Article For The Next Issue
Please keep your submission piece to between 500 - 800 words. Feel free to include a headline and biographic details. The deadline for the second edition of The Blended Chronicle is March 30, 2015.
Special Thanks!
A special thanks to The Village Green Charter School for initiating this joint effort in producing the state's quarterly e-publication dedicated showcasing blended learning in Rhode Island.
RI Digital Learning Champions Initiative – Call for Nominations!
Digital Learning Day may only come around once a year, but RI educators work hard all year long to engage and inspire students by using technology to personalize learning. These educators champion high-quality digital learning opportunities in their schools and communities by
- finding innovative and resourceful ways to leverage digital tools in classrooms and youth programs;
- advocating for students to have better access to technology that can help support deeper learning outcomes;
- inspiring, mentoring, and coaching other educators; and
- using digital tools to make learning relevant and meaningful for students who are traditionally underserved.
With a short video clip and 250 characters or less, tell us why your Digital Learning Champion inspires you! You will receive a copy of Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools, by Michael Horn and Heather Staker, if your video and champion are featured on the RIDE web site. RIDE will showcase education leaders from schools and districts across the state who demonstrate how great teaching, combined with effective technology, can positively impact Rhode Island’s schools—particularly those that serve high-risk and high-poverty populations.
Use the form below to submit a short video explaining why and/or how your digital learning champion inspires educators and students in your community.