Heather Staker

Through half-day and full-day training sessions, Staker prepares school leaders to develop high-quality blended-learning plans that maximize the impact of technology in classrooms. The core objectives of these sessions are to:

• Introduce the theories of disruptive and sustaining innovation as a framework for helping to understand the rise of K-12 blended learning.
• Increase awareness of the difference between high-quality blended learning and “cramming,” which means using technology for technology’s sake. Help participants identify worthwhile uses of technology and design an emergent strategy to capture the opportunity.
• Introduce a multi-step process for designing and implementing a blended-learning program. The steps include defining the "rally cry," organizing to innovate, designing the model from a jobs-to-be-done perspective, implementing, and iterating through a discovery-driven planning process. Through concepts, tools and technology, Staker helps participants break down the planning process into a series of steps. These steps can then be used to help school leaders systematically prepare for, design, and implement their own customized blended-learning plans.
• Give participants opportunities to practice the skills that lead to success. Increased awareness and a systematic framework are most valuable when tied directly to practical skill building. Using case studies and group exercises, Staker challenges participants to engage in the blended-learning planning process using a hands on approach so that by the end, they are ready to apply those techniques on their own when they complete their plans as school teams.
• Help participants connect their learning to their next steps. Participants will leave with insights on how to get started with blended learning, as well as a sense of expertise about the step-by-step framework so that they have a complete roadmap to follow as they develop their school-based plans.