3 Ways Tech-Enhanced Learning Makes Schools More Resilient

Sudden educational disruptions can have a detrimental effect on students of all ages. Unfortunately, these disturbances aren’t uncommon. From snow days and floods to infrastructure issues, there are plenty of unforeseen disruptions that can require schools to close. Students can also face disruptions in their education from short- or long-term absences, schedule changes, midyear teacher replacements, or emergency remote instruction.

Schools can use blended learning to seamlessly incorporate tech-enhanced learning (TEL) into their classrooms. TEL is an effective way to bridge student learning gaps by preparing stakeholders for remote learning before they need it. The concept of blended learning has been gaining popularity, but until recently, most teachers lacked experience incorporating technology into their classrooms. A 2021 study from the Christensen Institute noted that just 16% of teachers reported using technology “a lot” before March 2020 compared with 83% in the fall of the same year.

Thankfully, there are tools that can help schools prepare for disruptions ahead of time. These tools, such as the right learning management system (LMS), can help schools build a culture of resiliency while at the same time reducing learning loss.

What Is TEL?

TEL is the key to creating a successful blended learning environment, which combines the best aspects of in-person and online learning. It gives students flexibility and accessibility when they face disruption while still ensuring they have plenty of time for in-person education.

Preparing schools for disruptions by adopting a blended learning model early on can help reduce the impacts of classroom disruption. If students, teachers, and parents alike are familiar with flexible learning—including the online and technological components—it makes for a more seamless transition between home and classroom.

3 Ways Schools Gain Resilience Through TEL

If disrupted learning is an unavoidable part of education, what can schools do to make sure they’re ready to face it? A tech-enhanced learning environment provides stakeholders with the tools they need to be resilient and helps reduce learning loss from missed time.

It Empowers Students, Teachers and Parents

Giving students, teachers, parents, and guardians tools that equip them to overcome challenges is an empowering experience. Each of these stakeholders handles learning disruptions in unique ways. A blended learning environment can ensure their needs are met.

For example:

• Students can continue learning from home if they’re sick or there’s snow/rainy day. They can access course content remotely and communicate with their teachers, limiting any negative effects on their learning.
• Teachers can maintain lesson plans if they’re absent or in-person class is cancelled, while things like virtual field trips can go ahead. They can easily check their students’ progress and devote extra time to those who may be struggling.
• Parents and guardians can track their children’s progress using an online portal to ensure they don’t fall behind if they do face disruption. Continued, flexible access to learning also eases the pressure if a child needs to be away unexpectedly.

The right LMS can equip students, teachers, and parents with the tools to minimise disruption. Familiarising these groups with an LMS before issues arise is the key to ensuring continuous learning.

It Helps Counter the Effects of Disruption

Significant educational disruptions like illness can often lead to significant learning loss and hardship outside the classroom.

For learners in these situations, a tech-enhanced environment can make credit recovery easier and more flexible, allowing students to learn at their own pace and when it’s most convenient for them. Some schools have been incorporating TEL methods for years: a 2015 iNACOL (now Aurora Institute) report found that more than 75% of schools were already using blended and online learning for expanded course offerings and credit recovery.

The same report also noted that “educators find that online and blended learning are effective ways to reach students who fail one or more courses, become disengaged, or who seek an alternative to traditional education.” The ability to take multiple courses at once in schools with limited resources and to do classwork when it’s convenient can improve students’ abilities to make up courses.

Also, the demands and expectations of the learners in the Asia-Pacific region are high and emphasize a strong imperative for exploiting the potential of tech-enhanced learning for providing quality learning over the standard practices of learning, shares a study.

It Comes With Many Other Benefits

The many benefits of a blended learning environment can also help students thrive in the face of disruption. A blended learning environment:

• provides students with autonomy over their learning, which helps minimise the need for completely in-person learning
• enhances communication thanks to tools like announcement features, discussion forums, and parent-and-guardian portals
• improves accessibility and reach by putting an emphasis on tools like accessibility checkers, closed captions and assistive technology integrations

Tech-enhanced learning is generally an accessible and flexible option for stakeholders, but it really shows its worth in instances of disruption. While many schools have had to quickly become familiar with blended learning, taking the time to prepare students, teachers, and parents ahead of time benefits each party. Schools can become more resilient by employing the right tools to create blended learning environments.

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Written by

Chase Banger

Chase Banger is a Content Marketing Specialist at D2L. An award-winning journalist and former communications specialist, he has a passion for helping people through education.