What is blended learning?

On January 14th, the Arkansas Department of Education declined the request of America's Charter Schools charter system to open a virtual learning charter school in northwest Arkansas. The entity had two tries to come up with a plan that would satisfy the State Board of Education and was, ultimately, unsuccessful in their attempt. A lot of people have asked over the years what exactly IS virtual or blended learning? The difference between the two is subtle. As I understand it, virtual learning is exclusive computer-based learning absent the face-to-face interaction with a teacher. Whereas, blended learning is a mixture of both. Some states, such as Florida, have been somewhat successful at developing curriculum that gives K-12 students an online forum from which to learn. Just today I learned that the state of New York received the coveted Race to the Top AND the Investing in Innovations grants to expand iZone schools (http://www.ed.gov/oii-news/incentive-prizes-target-middle-school-math-achievement). These schools provide a blended learning environment. From what little I can determine, the schools allow students to work at their individual pace inside and outside of regular school hours. In fact, iZone schools have completely redesigned the school day (http://schools.nyc.gov/community/innovation/izone/About_Us/faqnew):
 
             " Each iZone school schedule is structured to best meet the needs of its students and                teachers. In general, iZone schools allow students to learn outside the traditional school day, progress at a pace that works best for them and accelerate toward graduation. Teachers have more time to plan lessons alone and with fellow educators so they can identify and address each student's needs."

             "Schools in the iZone are thinking through how learning can happen anywhere and at anytime. This can mean during regular school day hours, before school, after school, or on weekends depending on each student's needs. This doesn't mean more homework, but it may mean more time learning outside of the traditional school day, based on each student's preferred learning style and pace."

When I wear my parent hat I think, yes of course this makes sense! Now my kids can be doing something more constructive with all that time they spend on the iPad or Kindle  or computer. We can continue learning when we travel. They can make valuable life connections between what they are learning and how it plays out in the real world. But then my kids have access to all of those types of experiences don't they?

When I put on my public policy hat, I see a very different picture. The questions become: How will we ensure all students have necessary access to hardware and software? Who will pay for the added expense of broadband and devices? How will we keep students and teachers accountable? How can we design curriculum that is at once differentiated and equitable? How do we really scale this idea to the entire student population of the United States?

I'm certain that the designers who are pushing for more blended learning have all of these things figured out on some level. And I personally am a proponent for finding a blended learning solution. My fear, though, is that once you set the precedent that being at "brick and mortar school" is not as important as it once was, you can never go back from that decision. Not to sound dramatic, but can we really envision a nation of blended learning? To be honest, I don't know the answer. What I do know is that if this is the direction we are headed in, and it appears the Federal Government believes we are, then the every day, ordinary citizen has a heightened role to play in making sure ALL children receive adequate education. As the design of school shifts, we must be thinking about how we fit into the new picture of education. Imagine a world with no brick and mortar schools. How would that change how you live and function? What would your role be in making it successful for all kids? Please share....