Enhancing features of a Learning Management System with the benefits of a Global Positioning System, an LPS will allow students and teachers to identify where a student is in their learning journey

In part online, with some element of control over the time, place, path, or pace of their learning. In part face to face, in a brick-and-mortar location away from home. And in which the modalities along a student’s learning path are connected to provide an integrated learning experience.

As we consider the student experience, BLEND will allow students one point of access. Consider a student who may currently access their courses through Google Classroom in first period, NearPod in second period, a teacher’s blog/website in third period, only paper/pencil in fourth period, etc. BLEND will allow for ease of student experience through one-stop shopping with a vision of embedding as many resources and tools as possible. NOTE: This will not mean that teachers and students will no longer have access to innovative tools. Rather it will allow students to easily access their curriculum and archive their resources and learning.

Tools within BLEND, connected apps, and embedded tools will allow students to continuously collaborate in a safe environment, even from outside the walls of their classroom.

Through the student collaboration tools, students will be able to provide each other with real-time feedback. Additionally, teachers are able to provide students with immediate feedback on assignments and discussion posts. The speedgrader feature of BLEND allows teachers to leave feedback in a variety of ways that make the process more meaningful and efficient for them and their students.

As one point of access for learning, teachers are able to create an on-going archive of learning throughout a course for students. Students who are absent or students who need additional time will be able to review the content of the course and access the ongoing learning.
.

The ePortfolio provides students with an on-going archive of their learning through multiple courses and school years. This portfolio will allow students to share quickly their learning with others as they move toward college and career-readiness.

In addition to one point of access for students, BLEND also includes access for parents. Parents will now have access to students’ learning, grades, and communication lines with the district, schools, and teachers. This allows parents to go to one place instead of remembering multiple teacher websites and passwords.

The Canvas Commons and Austin ISD Commons allow teachers to access resources created around the globe and within our own community. Teachers will be able to access district curriculum resources, exemplar lessons and modules through the Commons. Teachers are encouraged to share their creations to provide a bank of teacher designed learning opportunities to benefit students across the district.

Through a shared Professional Learning Community course, teachers who work in similar grade levels or departments within a school will be able to collaborate, design, create, and be critical consumers of student experiences aligned to standards and student needs.

And we can't even begin to know the ways in which AISD teachers will innovate to unlock even more benefits for students and our community.