Dist. 158 aims to be a pioneer in Internet integration

Students in Huntley Unit School District 158 have grown up with technology at their fingertips. From personal computers to the Internet, today's students only know a digital world.

Now, educators in the district are developing a way to integrate technology — specifically the Internet — to transform the way high school students learn.

District leaders on Thursday presented their proposal for blended online learning, which will provide Huntley High School students both face-to-face interaction with teachers and instruction via the Internet using smartphones. tablets and other digital devices.

“This is the future of technology and the future of how we offer education to a lot of our students,” District 158 Superintendent John Burkey said.

Although online courses are available at many colleges and universities across the country, district officials said they are among the first in the state to implement blended learning in a K-12 setting using their own teachers. The plan also utilizes the high school's curriculum, which enables the district to track student progress.

“We feel this is so important that we don't want to wait for others to figure it out,” Burkey said.

The blended online instruction, school officials say, will enable greater scheduling flexibility and ensure students are provided a customized learning experience.

“This will allow even more differentiation in how we instruct and how students learn,” Burkey said prior to the meeting. “Higher level students can do more and be challenged and those who are struggling can benefit, as can those students in the middle.”

The first phase of the instructional changes will begin in the fall of 2011-12 school year. Courses would be scheduled during the last period of the day, Marisa Burkhart, director of educational technology, said.

For now six courses have been identified, including social studies, mathematics and English. Burkey said the amount of traditional classroom time a student needs would depend on the course and the individual student.

In addition, Burkhart addressed financial considerations in upgrading the district's infrastructure and the technological aspects of the proposal.

The committee leading the instructional transformation is currently developing a process for selecting students.

“This proposal is at the high school level because that is where we will be in the next year or two,” Burkey said. “But this is a districtwide issue.”

Board members said they supported initiative commended the staff for looking ahead.

“I am really excited,” board member Kim Skaja said. “I am happy to see you guys looking forward.”