Giving Compass' Take:

· Writing for Education Dive, Lauren Barack explains how blended learning tools are helping teachers engage students when teaching civic lessons. 

· How are schools implementing blended learning models? What are the effects of using blended learning models?

· Read more about blended learning. 

Given the current political environment, civics lessons have become even more important and curriculum leaders need resources that can engage students. There is, however, less focus on teaching civics in schools today, with a “…relative under-emphasis of civics education in the United States,” according to the 2018 Brown Center Report on American Education.

For administrators looking to broaden the civics education offered to their students, online models like Khan Academy’s, are a good place to start. So too is the Bill of Rights Institute’s free Document of Freedom course, which uses primary sources from artwork to the U.S. Constitution. They often offer fully crafted classroom lessons, but also add components of blended and flipped learning. Students can move through lessons at their own place, and then use classroom time for thoughtful discussions, and even ways to exercise their own civic skills and engagement. Another option is iCivics, founded by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, which offers game-based learning.

Read the full article about blended learning tools by Lauren Barack at Education Dive.