What Blended Learning Looks Like in Kindergarten

“Blended learning is not just another district initiative. It is a fundamental redesign of instructional models with the goal of accelerating learning  toward college and career readiness. “ –Digital Learning Now! Blended Learning Implementation Guide.

The Lawrence School District of Kansas, sitting right in the University of Kansas’ backyard, has embraced blended learning, but not just for “college and career readiness” Last year, Barbie Gossett volunteered to turn her Kindergarten classroom into a blended learning environment.  Along with 7 other teachers from elementary to high school, these pioneers introduced blended learning to their students as well as to the entire district. In a district that serves about 11,000 K-12 students, 8 teachers is just a tiny sampling. But the results of these field tests have had a powerful impact on the direction and the decision the district as a whole is making for the future of their schools.

In September, the number of teachers choosing to blend their classroom is jumping from 8 to 80! Last year’s success also translated into voters approving 6.5 million dollar, with big percentage going solely to support the the digital curriculum. As a result, these 80 teachers opting to completely revamp their style of teaching as well as the structure, flow and routines of their classroom will receive the support they from need to make this happen.

Barbie Gossett teaches Kindergarten at Woodlawn Elementary in Lawrence and was recommended by her principal as a teacher who could embrace the technology and make it work for the the youngest of students. Personally, Barbie was not sure she was buying it. A room full of kindergartners with a broad range of ability and prior exposure to technology, the typical arguments against using a blended model for that age made sense to her. Still, a risk taker and teacher determined to be on the cutting edge of what is happening in education, Barbie decided to go for it and opt in to the field test. If there is something new, she will try it first and only then decide if it truly helps student learning.

Last December, Ms. Gossett’s Kindergarten class transformed! Students had used a few computers for independent reading during the Daily 5 time, but beyond that, digital technology had not found it’s place in her room. By adding two designated areas where small group could gather and work together around 1 computer with extra large screen, 3 desktops, and 4 laptops, Barbie was able to flip her entire math curriculum to be online. Kids took turns rotating to the different stations, allowing them to work as self guided groups or independently throughout their math lessons. The students were so engaged, when it was time to move to one of the specials, like PE or music, there were groans and complaints- Her kindergarteners wanted to keep working on math!

The engagement piece is huge for Barbie. She has found more freedom than she has ever had before to float and monitor the students one on one and spend time working individually on the personal learning needs of her students. Less time was wasted because when she needed to talk to other adults or manage the visitors observing her classroom, the students stayed completely involved in their learning. The collaboration piece, which in years past had been very difficult to get student buy-in, simply started to happen- the kids just started helping each other and working together to problem solve any tech problems that would pop up. Not only did every one of her students achieve expected growth on their MAPS test but, for the first time, everyone single one of them scored above the expected grade level.

Reflecting now, Barbie remembers why she felt nervous, but has come to believe that because her kids come to school as “blank slates” it’s the perfect time to introduce the blended model. The students don’t question, they just do. With the proper prep and support, these little five year olds exceeded beyond the expectations. All it took was one little lamented card with their username and password to get them started. Once they realized those cards were the key to their online learning, they turned into gold! No one wanted to lose theirs’ and they even watched out for each other, making sure no one lost or misplaced their card! They freely embraced failure, retaking online quizzes over and over until they achieved the green light… there was no frustration and giving up. Instead, they persisted until they got it, until they truly mastered the concept.

Barbie realizes the real test will be in September, especially for the 8 “pioneer’” teachers who have already successfully implemented blended learning models into their classrooms. Some might think those teachers are off the hook because they have done the hard work and it’s now smooth sailing- they can wander the halls dispensing sage advice to all the new teachers deciding to commit to blended learning. Barbie knows it won’t look like that. Every class is different and what worked with this past group, might not work with the new set of kinders coming in the fall. Teachers committed to using digital technology to create a deeper learning environment need to be resilient problem solvers – just like any other year. Technology’s place is not to make the teacher’s job easier, but to help each student learn at a deeper level and according to their personal pace and style… and Barbie Gossett is making that happen for her Kindergarteners everyday.

Alison Anderson

Alison Anderson

Alison Anderson is a Media Specialist at The Madeleine School.

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11 Comments

Terence
7/12/2013

Was the entire curriculum blended or just math? What software did you use for math? Well done

Tracy C
7/12/2013

Do you know what Math apps Barbie used in her classroom?

Mitch
7/12/2013

I started developing kids learning games 30 years ago, thinking classrooms such as the one you described were just around the corner. The fact that they're finally, reluctantly, happening, is cheering.
I think the teachers' reluctance partly has to do with an underestimation of how much of their day is spend in unproductive classroom management activities as opposed to positively interactions with their students, especially one on one.

Mitch
7/12/2013

OMG, making spelling errors on a teacher's blog! Now I'm in for it.

Barbie
7/13/2013

Hi, guys I'd love to answer your questions. Terence, I began only blending math. My district suggested starting with one subject area, so we didn't become overwhelmed. Soon after I also blended some language arts. I'm looking forward to blending as much of the curriculum as I can when school starts again.
As far as software goes I didn't just use one program. Our math series, Expressions, has an online component called think central. I used a lot of their games. I found videos on school tube, teacher tube and you tube. I found apps for the ipads. However, my favorite piece of software was SMART Notebook. I loved searching smart exchange or creating my own SMART Notebook activities.
Tracy C, if you would like to email me ([email protected]) I can share a list with you of the math apps I used with my kids.

Stephanie
7/19/2013

Barbie, could you explain how you found the balance between creating the blended learning environment for your students and keeping them enriched with hands-on exploration apart from technology? Thank you for sharing your experience!

Barbie Gossett
7/19/2013

Stephanie, that's a great question. As a teacher I get very excited about online manipulatives (pattern blocks, tiles, base 10 blocks). I no longer had to set up all those materials and there was no clean up! But developmentally it is good for them to have those objects in their hands. We used the real things for the whole first semester, before I started blending, so my kids were used to them. They had been trained with real manipulatives so they would often still choose them off the shelf to help them solve a problem. I guess next year I'll have to be careful to make sure I'm using a balance of the two. But that's what I love about blended learning it combines technology with the best of traditional teaching!

Darlene James
1/26/2015

It was good to see how Barbie Gossett was able to turn her kindergarten math time into the flipped classroom. It makes sense to start it in kindergarten when they are opened to learning and are not in a set pattern. The selling point of this information was when the teacher stated that the students were so involved that they didn't want to leave to go to specials. The flipped classroom makes so much sense because our students are coming to us with such different levels of experience and knowledge.

A Stadler
6/9/2017

I am excited to share this blog with my kinder teachers. As with any fundamental paradigm shift, the first step is the hardest. We oftentime underestimate the abilities of our littlest ones. I am glad to see that it is working for you. I too struggle with the balance between hands-on and on-line manipulatives.

Val
6/27/2017

I'm excited to start blended learning in my class this next year. It's great to see other teachers having success in starting this new venture. I'm not feeling as overwhelmed and now have a good place to start. I will be starting with math. Thank you for the great resources, Barbie!

Shirley Ndoma
1/3/2024

hi Barbie Gossett am very impress with you view on blended learning and am trying to write out a proposal to school in my country to implement blended learning anin my country nursery and primary schools, I will appreciate it very much if you can give me some guidance... thanks

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