VLN Education’s Model for Blended Learning
VLN Education’s products evolved through our research in online learning methodologies, and the development of our model for virtual learning called the Holistic Model for Blended Learning.
This model offers a rich alternative to off-the-shelf courseware and whole curriculum bundles used in other solutions by leveraging a learning object-based instruction. VLN offers customers an incredibly thorough library of over 500,000 tagged and keyword searchable K-12 learning objects that allow for easy new course development or augmentation of existing courses. These learning objects can also be seamlessly leveraged in the classroom to complement live instruction by district teachers.
Leading educators have long defined blended learning as a combination of online and face-to-face instruction. Our analysis of available solutions identified that most K-12 virtual learning platforms underperform because they minimize or fully eliminate teacher involvement in remote education. They often use strategies designed to support classroom instruction, not to replace it. They are designed around the concept of students self-directing their own educational process. While this can be challenging for all students, it can be a big impediment for younger learners in grades K-3. Research has shown that students perform best when they have regular guidance from teachers to direct learning efforts, evaluate performance and provide support, when necessary.
VLN’s Holistic Model
Our holistic model uses classroom instruction as the starting point, then employs collaborative development techniques and rapid prototyping processes to create online lessons that are delivered as whole and complete products that have utility in both the classroom and online environments.
Successful Instruction
Building content for online students is critical for successful instruction. Students greatly benefit from understanding how course lessons fit into the overall subject being studied, and why they are important to understand. VLN’s courses are developed to provide this context and use relatable real-world examples to illustrate concepts. VLN’s courses all utilize standard textbooks, available physically or digitally. This provides a far greater context to students as they progress through the material.
Learning Objects
The use of learning objects enables teachers to more easily provide the vital ingredient of context that is often missing from online learning programs. The adaptability of VLN’s delivery technology and course development capabilities is critical in making this possible with minimal strain on district staff and infrastructure.
Teacher Support
VLN’s educational platform was designed to improve student outcomes by leveraging live, certified teachers to guide the academic efforts of our online students. This pairs the very best aspects of the traditional classroom experience with the flexibility of the online learning environment, and ensures each student receives the specific support they need. Our program maintains a student’s focus on comprehensive learning and not just answering the questions required to progress through the material. This objective is supported through a broad range of assessments used, including essays, short answers, and projects.
The foundation of VLN’s educational model is the several layers of daily, live teacher support we offer students every day, including:
- Live, Daily Homeroom
- Live, Daily Lessons
- One-on-One Progress Meetings
- Office Hours
- Writing Lab
- Guided Math Practice
- Special Education Resource Room
Track Your Progress
Finally, VLN teachers maintain an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) for each student, providing a weekly snapshot of their progress in each course. This includes identifying the current overall grade, highlighting the average score earned on submitted work, and providing a list of any unsubmitted work. Our teachers review this report with students individually bi-weekly meetings, and help students to engage additional learning resources, if needed. To provide all stakeholders an accurate weekly picture of each student’s performance, we email the ILPs to the students, their families, and school district personnel.