The most recent Infinite Thinking Machine episode takes a crack at defining and explaining different modes of blended learning. In short, “you mix online learning with face-to-face instruction on a regular basis.” The model — and products — teachers choose to use will depend on their instructional styles: teaching content or more open-ended styles, like project-based learning.

This episode brings up some important points: cost efficiencies, “magic bullet” solutions, and content delivery should not be the goal for using blended learning tactics. Rather, the focus should be on allowing kids to be creators of work that’s relevant to their own world — that’s what will catapult “blended learning” out of the next edu-fad and qualify it as a true change agent.

It’s election time, and for educators looking for creative ways to help students engage in political issues, here are some excellent ideas from the folks at the Infinite Thinking Machine.  Projects include creating two-minute news videos about local issues, setting up a Fantasy Election site through MTV (like Fantasy Football), and having students debate issues online.

The ITM is produced by CUE.

What does the do-it-yourself movement have anything to do with school? This episode of the Infinite Thinking Machine features examples of how tinkering is starting to infiltrate the educational landscape, as with schools like Brightworks in San Francisco and in Maker Spaces around the country, where anyone can design and build anything they imagine.

In this episode, ITM creators challenge teachers to create a cool infographic depicting how to spend the ultimate summer vacation. Deadline is June 8. Here’s more information.

From the good folks at the Infinite Thinking Machine, here’s another fun episode highlighting innovative ideas from across the globe, from the Hole-in-the-Wall experiment in India to the Design for Giving Contest at the Riverside School, to the progressive teaching and learning in San Francisco’s Urban School.