Blended learning coming to a Cumberland County district

(East Pennsboro) — Learning will look a little different for some students in one Cumberland County school district, as technology is starting to take a starring role at East Pennsboro Area Middle School.

There will still be traditional classrooms, but the school is planning on expanding its online learning lab for seventh graders this fall.

It’s known as blended learning, and East Pennsboro is incorporating more of it using a $400,000 grant.

Middle school principal Michael Sim says the changes will let students work at their own pace.

And teachers adjust lessons for each student.

“We won’t be replacing the teacher. In fact, we want to enhance the experience the student has with the teacher. We see ourselves needing more teachers, not less, and so we’re excited about the opportunity to give them more of that one on one time,” says Sim.

Sim says he’s confident the time in front of a screen will be efficient.

“We feel good about the opportunity to really make sure that’s being used wisely. We’re confident that that will be rigorous, and something that will enhance the student’s learning,” he adds.

He’s visited schools that use blended learning to get ideas about implementing it in full.

Sim says this is the school’s first time using technology as more than just a supplement.

By fall 2016, the program will expand to 7th and 8th grades, before going school-wide the following fall.