Information Science Reference Handbook of Research on K-12 Blended and Virtual Learning Through the i²Flex Classroom Model (Advances in Mobile and Distance Learning)

Teaching models that focus on blended and virtual learning have become important during the past year and have become integral for the continuance of learning. The i²Flex classroom model, a variation of blended learning, allows non-interactive teaching activities to take place without teachers' direct involvement, freeing up time for more meaningful teacher-student and student-student interactions. There is evidence that i²Flex leads to increased student engagement and motivation as well as better exploitation of teachers' and classroom time leading to the development of higher order cognitive skills as well as study skills for students' future needs related to citizenship, college, and careers. The Handbook of Research on K-12 Blended and Virtual Learning Through the i²Flex Classroom Model focuses not only on how to design, deliver, and evaluate courses, but also on how to assess teacher performance in a blended i2Flex way at the K12 level. The book will discuss the implementation of the i²Flex (isquareFlex), a non-traditional learning methodology, which integrates internet-based delivery of content and instruction with faculty-guided, student-independent learning in combination with face-to-face classroom instruction aiming at developing higher order cognitive skills within a flexible learning design framework. While highlighting new methods for improving the classroom and learning experience in addition to preparing students for higher education and careers, this publication is an essential reference source for pre-service and in-service teachers, researchers, administrators, educational technology developers, and students interested in how the i2Flex model was implemented in classrooms and the effects of this learning model. About the Author Maria D. Avgerinou , Ph.D. has recently joined the American Community Schools (ACS) Athens (Greece) as the Director of Educational Technology and eLearning. Dr. Avgerinou holds a B.Litt. in Byzantine and Modern Greek Language and Literature from the National and Capodistrian University of Athens (GR), an M.Ed. and a Ph.D. in Educational Technology and Psychology from the University of Bath (UK). She holds postdoctoral diplomas on eLearning Design, Implementation, and Evaluation from the Institute of Education, University of London (UK), the University of Hull (UK), and more recently from Indiana University (US). As a certified online educator and a former academic in American, British, and Greek universities, she has taught, published, and presented extensively on the research and practice of online and blended learning, action research, and visual literacy for education and training. From a leadership level, Dr. Avgerinou has been active in various professional associations (AERA, EDEN, IVLA, and AECT). She currently serves as the Editor of the Journal of Visual Literacy (JVL/Routledge), a Master Reviewer for Quality Matters (MarylandOnline/US), and an external specialist for European Commission’s Key Action 2: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices. In recognition of her scholarly contributions Dr. Avgerinou has received various awards most notably IVLA’s Research Award (2009), and the Braden & Beauchamp Award on Research in Visual Literacy (2001; 2010).