'Blended learning' is big hit at Chandler school

CHANDLER, Ariz. - A pilot program that uses technology alongside teacher instruction is gaining momentum in Chandler.

More than 100 students take part in what's called "blended learning" at Willis Junior High School.

"It's a mixture of using technology with the traditional classroom," said math teacher Michael Shults.

The students use HP Mini Netbooks along with teacher instruction.

"They open up Netbooks," said Shultz. "They get on, do research, they get on Google docs and work through math problems; sometimes they can get on online graphing calculators and then at the same time, they've got paper in front of them and they're doing some of the traditional stuff."

Language arts teacher Susan Yonkers said teachers can also post questions to students online through a Facebook-like program called Edmodo. Kids who are out sick can use that to keep track of the class, or students can use it to text a teacher a question during off-hours, including weekends.

"I can get right on there on my app through my iPhone and respond to the kids and answer their questions," said Yonkers. "It's almost like they have a teacher 24 hours a day."

Teacher Darren O'Hara said the kids love it.

"Student engagement goes through the roof," said O'Hara. "Whether it's looking up information, researching, answering a poll that we're streaming live up on the projection board...to even something as simple as a calculator. It's just a buy-in for them, because it's what they're used to."

You can check out the program for yourself during a public event at the school on Nov. 15.