Apr 18, 2016 3 min read

Washington Park Elementary students in third through sixth grades are learning through a new, personalized model – resulting in higher achievement for them and recognition for the school’s administration.

Dr. Roberta DiLorenzo, Washington School District superintendent, was recently named Producer of the Year by Hybrid Learning Institute for promoting classroom technology. The competition included 75 nominees from schools in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

“I was happy to hear (about the award), but really, I have to share that honor with the teachers … that really put it into practice,” DiLorenzo said.

HLI is a group of more than 1,000 educators who promote the hybrid learning model, which combines three methods of learning – instruction from teachers, group activities and self-instruction – to improve student achievement.

In a recent study, HLI found students in hybrid classrooms outperformed students in traditional classrooms by 19 percent on state assessments.

Using grant money, the school district began using the hybrid model in grades four through six in January 2015. Because students and teachers responded so favorably the initial year, educators implemented the model in third grade this January.

Fifth-grade teacher Andrea Castle said hybrid learning allows her to have one-on-one instruction with each of her 23 students. She said there was significant improvement between an initial assessment given before students were taught with the hybrid model and after.

“It’s amazing because I can reach every student. They like that it’s a little more personalized, rather than the large-group instructional model,” Castle said.

In Castle’s room, students are divided into three groups, with one group working independently on a personal computer, another group working together to solve a problem and a third group receiving instruction from Castle – all focused on the same lesson plan.

The students learning independently use digital content, like quizzes and games, in a supervised online environment that gives teachers real-time data about their students’ understanding and performance.

Castle said the model allows students to work at their own pace and develops teamwork, leadership, interpersonal and individual-learning skills.

“Nobody wants to go back to that larger group session. It has definitely invigorated the job for me,” said Castle, who has taught for 17 years. “I’m excited to see what I can do with it going forward.”

The district invested in personal computers for kindergarten through second grades with plans to develop the hybrid model throughout all grades.

“It’s working exceptionally well,” DiLorenzo said. “We’re very grateful for a board of directors that supports this.”

Jeff Fine, president of the school board of directors, said in a release that the district is proud of DiLorenzo for her leadership and innovation in technology education.

“Dr. DiLorenzo and her entire team (are) making sure that our investments in technology are being put to good use, by focusing directly on (how) they can help students succeed academically,” Fine said.