Making Teaching Sustainable in a Blended, Self-Paced Learning Environment: The Modern Classrooms Project

The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & Resources

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Robert Barnett, co-founder of the Modern Classrooms Project, explains how their innovative teaching model helps teachers effectively reach students with diverse learning needs through blended, self-paced, mastery-based learning. Traditional teaching methods struggling with different learning paces, gaps in knowledge, and absent students can be transformed with this approach that empowers both teachers and students.
• Traditional teaching models fail when teaching to the middle leaves advanced students bored and struggling students lost
• Modern Classrooms Project combines blended instruction, self-pacing, and mastery-based learning
• Teachers create short instructional videos that students can pause, rewind, and access anytime
• Students work at their own pace, ensuring they master concepts before moving on
• Teacher role shifts from lecturer to providing targeted one-on-one and small group support
• Research shows students feel more capable and develop stronger relationships with teachers
• Schools implementing the model have seen significant increases in test scores
• Teachers report greater job satisfaction and connection to why they entered teaching
• Free resources available through ModernClassrooms.org and InstaLesson.com
• Robert's book "Meet Every Learner's Needs" offers a step-by-step guide to implementation
Visit Insta-lesson.com to create your first blended, self-paced, mastery-based lesson and begin transforming your teaching approach today.

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Chapters

1. Introducing the Modern Classrooms Project (00:00:00)

2. Robert's Teaching Journey and Challenges (00:02:16)

3. Three Pillars: Blended, Self-Paced, Mastery-Based (00:05:26)

4. Implementation and Student Adaptation (00:11:15)

5. Teacher Wellbeing and Sustainability (00:13:52)

6. Research Results and Student Outcomes (00:17:01)

7. Meet Every Learner's Needs Book (00:18:40)

8. Resources and Getting Started Today (00:22:20)