BL Connect provides educators across a district a curated library of research-backed content and self-directed courses that build awareness of student-centered teaching concepts and practices. Led by Master Coaches, each BL Connect course is centered on outcomes and made actionable through real-life examples of teaching practices in the classroom. A continuously growing library of courses offers just-in-time support for every expertise level in the district. From new educators and paraprofessionals to experienced educators, PLCs or Instructional Coaches, BL Connect provides foundational learning when and where it is needed most.
Formats/platforms used:
BL Connect uses video, online text and interactive experiences.
Primary website’s URL:
Problem solved:
Self-directed learning supports comprehensive professional development for educators across a district to build student-centered teaching and learning practices.
Grade/age range:
K–12
Professional Development addressed?
Yes, BL Connect addresses professional development in education.
Subject or topics:
The focus areas in BL Connect include: Competency-Based Learning, Meaningful Tech Integration, Teachership, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Social-Emotional Learning, EL Education Curriculum, K–5 Math Curriculum and BetterLesson’s 6–8/IM 6–12 Math Curriculum
Leson time needed:
BL Connect includes 20-minute microlearning courses and 60-minute interactive, on-demand courses. BL Connect’s study plan supports progression through the learning material with coach-led engaging activities, flashcards, examples and tasks to bring learning to the classroom.
Pricing model:
An annual subscription gives districts access to the full library of curated BL Connect courses throughout the school year.
Additional services needed:
BL Connect is accessed and supported through the BL Lab, which provides access to content, tracks participation, and measures outcomes of professional learning in one centralized hub.
What makes BL Connect unique?
BL Connects provides unlimited access to a continually growing library of in-depth, research-backed courses that create awareness around complex curricula and critical skills to expand capacity in student-centered teaching. Job-embedded 1:1 virtual coaching makes learning actionable in the classroom and thousands of research-based teaching lessons and instructional strategies engage students in learning.
Characteristics:
BL Connect is designed to complete one course within an hours’ worth of time. The interface lets each educator set their individual study plan for a given course and track progress to completion. Each course follows a three-step framework to learn, do and complete a call-to-action. The table of contents organizes lesson plans and tracks progression and confidence levels as lessons are complete. Participants can take notes and bookmark content throughout the course to revisit as needed. Each course in BL Connect includes supporting research and instructional strategies educators can test within their classrooms right away.
Here's what users are saying:
“This course provides many practical strategies and explains each in enough detail and with clear examples that I would feel confident trying it in my classroom.”
– Kathy Meitl, Instructional Coach at Saydel High School in Des Moines, IA
“My favorite was watching the classrooms in action. Seeing how it works in other classrooms helps a lot.”
– Markki LeBlanc, Teacher at Schoolcraft Learning Community in Bemidji, MN
“It was thorough with great information and videos showed successful examples.”
– Tiffany Reed, Teacher at Missoula County Public School District in Missoula, MT
