This year, the blended learning program at MSHS, taught by Ben Gilliam, was started to provide an alternative way of learning for students and to encourage enrollment.
The blended learning program is an alternative way of learning that is only offered to juniors and seniors. “The way that it works is these students come in Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, only until lunch; and that is the only time they’re required to be here in the building,” Gilliam said. “While they’re here in the building, they’re working through an online platform to earn their core credits. The rest of the time, and so Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday afternoons, plus all of Thursday and Friday, they are earning their elective credits by working.”
Through the program, students don’t experience regular high school class schedules. “The entire class is laid out before each student, and so if you’re taking an online English class, every assignment for the whole semester is right there in front of you, and it’s generally between about 50, and I would say 70 assignments per course, per semester, and so they can work at their own pace, and as soon as they get it done, it’s all done,” Gilliam said. “The other thing that it does is it just provides a different pathway for students. Some students really thrive being in a classroom five days a week, eight hours a day.”
Through this alternative way of learning, students are able to plan ahead for their futures. “I think it’s a really cool way to just provide a different option for students who are maybe a little bit more career bound rather than college bound,” Gilliam said. “Not only are they getting their core credits, but they’re also getting elective credits while gaining work experience.”
Through the program, students are able to focus more on themselves, as well as focus on extracurricular activities.“The course is kind of self-paced, so all the assignments for the semester are laid out for you on that,” Kolten Wupper (12) said. “I’m working 5 days a week, and then I have football on top of that; so I’m working 2 hours every day, Monday through Wednesday, and I’m working 7 on Thursdays, and then 9 on Fridays.”
The addition of the program has had a positive impact on students that are currently enrolled in it.“I feel more mature instead of just being a student,” Marley Christensen (11) said. “I’m actually doing something with my life and not just going to school, and I can make money, and plan for my future.”
