The Rotation Model of Blended Learning Theory

The superintendent at Utica Community Schools in Sterling Heights, Michigan, Dr. Christine Johns has spearheaded a number of educational changes at schools in her district. As superintendent, Dr. Christine Johns introduced to kindergarten through second-grade classrooms a blended learning model, which garnered national attention for its focus on personalized instruction for each student.

The term “blended learning” refers to a formal education program involving elements such as student control over pacing, online learning, supervised study away from home, and integrated subject-based learning. Blended learning often adheres to a rotation model, during which students rotate among various activities according to a fixed schedule determined by the instructor.

The rotation model often incorporates physical stations in a classroom or group of rooms, as well as computer labs for online learning components. In the flipped classroom rotation, students conduct their primary learning via online modules and visit a brick-and-mortar location for teacher-guided practice of concepts. The rotation model also includes individual rotation, in which students design their own rotation schedules.