Reflecting on what I’ve learned about disruptive innovation, I have decided to work toward implementing a blended learning model in my classroom. There are countless benefits to blended learning; it really is the best of both worlds: online and in-class instruction. I began my journey with a literature review to gain a thorough understanding of what blended learning is. My research proved that blended learning is an exciting way to engage learners when done correctly, and can lead to deeper learning and better grades.
Even though I’m already convinced that blended learning would be an asset to our school, I need to discuss my plan with my program director and academic dean before I can implement any changes to our current curriculum. I created a short video that highlights the advantages of blended learning. I also developed a Power Point presentation to elaborate more on what blended learning is and what it can do for our students and our dental hygiene program.
Any successful change needs to be planned carefully, so it was crucial to construct a plan with a timeline to guide my steps toward implementation. It will be flexible, to allow for changes to the plan as needed. It’s exciting to think about the way this plan can impact our organization for the better, but I expect there will be some pushback in the beginning from administration and maybe even some students. I believe that after they see the benefits, all the naysayers will become believers! 
As new ideas and new research emerges, I will continue to explore other ways to bring innovation and change that will benefit our students. I will stay current with my edWeb membership so I can network with other educators and take CE regarding digital resources for education. I will also continue my membership with the American Dental Educators Association, and attend workshops and webinars regarding dental education. As digital technology continues to explode with new applications for education, the need to stay current will be imperative.
For further information, here is a list of resources for blended learning:
Blended Learning Implementation Guide. http://digitallearningnow.com/site/uploads/2013/10/BLIG-2.0-Final-Paper.pdf
Christensen, C., Horn, M., Soares, L., & Caldera, L. (2011). Disrupting College. Retrieved from http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/labor/report/2011/02/08/9034/disruptingcollege/
Christensen, Clayton M.; Horn, Michael (2008), Disrupting class: how disruptive innovation will change the way the world learns, New York, New York, USA: McGraw-Hill, ISBN 978-0-07-159206-2.
Christensen, Clayton M.; Raynor, Michael E. (2003), The innovator’s solution: creating and sustaining successful growth. Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Harvard Business School Press, ISBN 978-1-57851-852-4.
Horizon Report. (2016). Higher Education Edition. Retrieved from http://cdn.nmc.org/media/2016-nmc-horizon-report-he-EN.pdf
Horn, M. & Staker, H. (2014). Blended. Jossey-Bass, ISBN 1118955153
Morrison, D. (2013). Is Blended Learning the Best of Both Worlds? Retrieved from https://onlinelearninginsights.wordpres s.com/2013/01/17/is-blended-learning-the-best-of-both-worlds/
Michael Horn: Benefits of Online and Blended Learning Models. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_oMIHA2Hsg
Michael Horn- Blended and Disrupted, How to Make Blended Learning Work for Students and Teachers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wVzlUiPA0E
Vander Ark, T. (2014). Blended: A Conversation with Michael Horn and Heather Staker. Retrieved from http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/on_innovation/2014/09/blended_a_conversation_with_michael_horn_heather_staker.html
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