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Flex when conventional instruction is not a fit
Follow the playbook for disruptive innovation by starting a Flex model where it doesn't meet overwhelming resistance, such as . . .
. . . where a conventional teacher is unavailable
. . . a summer school or bootcamp
. . . a community that is concerned with pandemic readiness
. . . a microschool or school in church or office space
. . . a virtual school that needs an in-person option
. . . a prison, immigrant, homeless, or refugee center
. . . a dropout recovery or gifted program
. . . or any school with enough stakeholder support
Get my vintage playbook to learn some moves.
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Flexible instruction for a complex world
Think of your favorite teacher when you were young. Unfortunately, the world does not have enough of these superhuman individuals to ensure that the conventional classroom is a viable model as we advance.​
But there's good news. The Flex model of blended learning emerged 20 years ago and is improving. The Flex model is in-person schooling that combines two things:
- online learning to access the right lessons regardless of location and
- other activities, such as group discussions, projects, and 1-on-1 coaching.​
Because it doesn't require in-person teachers, the Flex model can snap into small schools, studios, pods, alt campuses, and churches. I first saw a Flex school in 2010. I loved it so much that we moved our family from Hawaii to Texas to enroll.​
I've been writing about, speaking about, and recreating Flex models ever since.
Save yourself 20 years
Learn from my legwork
Thanks to Christensen Institute research
You can leapfrog two decades
that included these milestones:
California State Board of Education
Student Member, 1993-94
I became curious about how to change the system after the Governor of California appointed me to vote on behalf of students as a high school senior on the State Board of Education.
Harvard College &Â Harvard Business School
Bachelor's degree 1998 and MBA 2001
An undergraduate concentration in government and an MBA concentration in social impact further fueled a determination to improve the education system.
Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation (formerly, Innosight Institute)
Research fellow, 2010Â to present
Based on Professor Clayton M. Christensen's theories at this think tank, I co-created a definition and taxonomy for “blended learning”—the use of online learning in in-person schools.
“Is K-12 Blended Learning Disruptive?”
White paper, 2013
Clayton M. Christensen, Michael B. Horn, and I argue that the Flex model is more “disruptive” to conventional classrooms than other models are.
Acton Academy, Main Campus
Getting the parent experience, 2010-2019
Enamored with the Flex model of blended learning, Allan and I moved our family to Austin, Texas to enroll them in the first Acton Academy, which has the features of a Flex microschool.
▶︎ Amazon: Laura Sandefer's book, Turning Learning Upside Down (with a foreword by me!)
Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools
San Francisco: Wiley, 2014
This bestselling book from the Christensen Institute shows you four main models of blended learning and a roadmap for implementing them. My coauthor: Michael B. Horn
Ready to Blend LLC
Founder, 2015-2024
As the demand for workshops about blended learning surged, I founded the training firm "Ready to Blend." (But now Guide School uses digital distribution to help you afresh!)
Blended Learning Live! and Teacher Boost
Teacher and School Leader Workshops, 2016-2024
Ready to Blend certified 150+ facilitators to run Blended Learning Live! and Teacher Boost, two workshops that simulate blended classrooms.
The Blended Workbook: Learning to Design the Schools of our Future
San Francisco, Wiley: 2017
This Christensen Institute workbook annotates examples of blended learning plans that we helped 75 school districts develop. My coauthor: Michael B. Horn
International expansion
Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe & South America
With societies facing wars, migration, refugees, teacher absenteeism, pandemics, and other realities . . . I am grateful for the emerging Flex solution!
Accelerate Learning with Microsoft through Blended Learning
Global pilot projects, 2022 and on
A partnership with Microsoft Education for their digital tools allowed me to pilot-test Flex models in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and Rwanda.
▶︎ 1st Singapore case study
Launch of Guide School
To prepare guides for Flex models, 2024 and on
Welcome to Guide School, where you’ll find programs that help your Flex schools develop the capable guides we need for the 21st century!
Staffing AI-era schools with guides
Disruptive innovators are replacing conventional classrooms with Flex models suited to today's students. These unique spaces need guides. We're here to support you in this critical advance for K-12. Save your spot for our next training here:Â guide.school/Flex
