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What is the difference between online, blended, and personalized learning?

**Online Learning is a modality of instruction. **Education in which instruction and content are delivered primarily over the Internet. The term does not include printed-based correspondence education, broadcast television or radio, videocassettes, and stand-alone educational software programs that do not have a significant Internet-based instructional component. Used interchangeably with Virtual learning, Cyber learning, e-learning.

**Blended learning is a modality of instruction. **A formal education program in which a student learns:

• at least in part through online learning, with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace;
• at least in part in a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home;
• and the modalities along each student’s learning path within a course or subject are connected to provide an integrated learning experience.

Personalized Learning is a collection of modalities revolving around a particular philosophy. In the current education conversation, personalized learning tends to refer to a host of efforts and models that tailor learning and development to the individual student driving intended outcomes. For further explanation, please check out these resources:

• Definitions Guide for Online Learning
• Christensen Institute's What's the Difference Between Blended and Personalized Learning?

How do I know if WEN is a good fit for us?

If you can answer "yes" to these questions, it’s very likely WEN is a perfect fit:

1. Do you have a vision/mission for adopting digital learning over time in your district/organization?
2. Are you willing to designate a local leader/staff person along with local teachers to grow your program?
3. Does your board, administration/leadership, and staff have a commitment to build online and blended learning program offerings for your students.
4. Are you committed to implementing student supports to increase their online and blended learning experience?
5. Do you value collaboration and consortium work? (Remember, WEN is not a vendor.)
6. Are you committed to a multi-year journey of continuous improvement?
7. Are you willing and committed to work through the tough questions, policies, and operations of implementing a digital program for long term sustainability?

Should WEN only be used for online learning?

Absolutely not. WEN members can and do use our platform for any local needs including, but not limited to: summer school, online learning, supplemental access, part time, full time, flipped, hybrid, personalized learning, gifted and talented, alternative education, and traditional classrooms looking for digital content. The return on investment is up to each member relating to how broad they adopt these tools. The reality is, the tools can be used in any model you can dream up.

How do I become a member?

We offer two pathways to Membership: Invested (governing members) and Affiliate. If you are unsure which pathway would be best for your district or school, we will assist you in the process of determining which membership would be most aligned to your goals and needs. If you're ready to get started, here are your steps.

What is the difference between an Invested Membership and an Affiliate Membership?

Invested members have a one-time, larger up-front fee (flexible terms) with the lowest operating expenses along with a voting board seat. Affiliate members have a much smaller annual fee along with proportionately higher operating expenses and no voting seat.

How soon could we join?

WEN onboards members throughout the year based on what is best for districts in alignment with agreed-upon launch dates.

Which digital learning tools are available via WEN?

WEN provides a lot of tools and resources but does not limit districts from expanding and or considering their needs. Due to member needs WEN has increased and continues to increase strategic memberships with vendors based on member needs. This allows districts to increase access to assets without going into contract or executing a local RFP process.

Will our district be able to customize WEN's interface?

As part of collaborative work, each member has a voice in the customizations and development projects WEN engages in through our member-run Emerging Tech & Digital Content, Member Success, Bylaws, Legislative, Nominations, and Finance Committee. All digital content is completely managed locally meaning you can edit, modify, enhance, or simplify any content based on local policy. WEN is actively engaged annually on a continuous improvement cycle customizing our tools specific to WI Member needs.

How much flexibility will our local instructors have with their course content?

100%. As a member, you will have direct access to modify any content to meet local needs. All owned content can be modified as needed and content that is licensed can be modified by the teacher but is not owned.

What types of student data will be available to parents and instructors?

Traditional LMS data is available (grades, pace, login, communication, transcript data, etc.). All data is owned and managed by the local school district.

Is partnership an annual contract?

Invested members are members indefinitely and operating expenses are based on consumption. If you use nothing you pay nothing. If you use for online or blended you pay based on what you use.

Affiliate members have two- and four-year membership opportunities that renew unless terminated. Our experience has proven that quality programs take time to build. If an Invested or Affiliate membership is not what you are looking for, we have other opportunities to collaborate. Wisconsin Virtual School offers a supplemental pathway or reach out to any one of our micro-network members such as Rural Virtal Academy, or Kiel Area School District. See our full list of members.

What happens if our program needs exceed our membership level?

We grow with you. We do not cap or bill you for anything more or less than what you consume. Vendors traditionally bill based on a "prebuy" or student/teacher counts. Our expenses billed to you only relate to what you use not superficial counts. If you have five teachers teaching blended courses, you pay for five teachers—not the entire district. If you have 100 online enrollments you pay for 100 online enrollments, not a prepaid amount you lose out on if you don't use it all.