Blended Learning Models: Strategies for Transformation

In 2004, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation funded the first invitation-only workshop devoted to blended learning. For the leaders participating in that conference, much time and thought was devoted to actually defining blended learning. While folks were in agreement that online and face-to-face components were necessary for blended learning, it became readily apparent that this task was not as simple as defining what percentage of time should be devoted to each of those modalities. There were numerous variations on the theme and also on what was important to each institution. In the seven years that have followed since those early spirited discussions, this has become even more obvious as many blended learning models have appeared. This panel will examine and discuss different models of blended learning that have been adopted to transform various programs and universities. The panel will focus on what infrastructure, policies, and goals are driving the push to blend. Models used by others will be shared and an open discussion will invite participants to share their experiences, opportunities, and challenges.