Blended learning presents some obstacles but presents far more benefits that outweigh the challenges. The common obstacles are commonly associated with a lack of experience with digital or online courses as well as a lack of experience with the learning management system. However, these obstacles can be tackled with ease with guidance from the online teacher.

The benefits cover the realm of at-risk students, advanced placement, student illness or homebound students and professional development. At-risk students commonly display a disklike for all activities presented in the classroom. This is often the case due to a fear of failing in public or "not looking cool". However, blended learning environments tend to diminish those behaviors as the students become engrossed with the technology and the change from public learning to personal learning. The student is willing to take responsibility. This was the case recently in my classroom as we explored composition on the iPad. The student was not likely to participate in verbal conversation leading up to the experience however they were willing to compose and discuss the details of the composition created afterwards. The digital content was a motivator for successful classroom discussion.

In the case of advanced placement, a learning management system can provide endless resources. Currently, I am working with a Calculus/Statistics instructor. Prior to this year, her classroom was exclusively face-to-face. She spent hours of after school with students as well as Sunday afternoons. While this was beneficial it was exhausting and not always full proof. This year we have used Explain Everything to create step by step help videos for each concept she has taught. She posts these videos the night before the lesson (which only lasts 20 minutes of the 50 minute class). A majority of the students watch the videos prior to class which creates a flipped classroom experience for them. All of the students watch these videos after class and throughout the semester to review and master the skills. She has seen an increase in success and mastery this year and attributes the success to the blended learning environment. She is now both a teacher and facilitator and students have taken responsibility for their learning.

Homebound students, whether due to behavior or illness, can also benefit from an online learning situation. In some cases, homebound teachers are not able to visit the child thus lending themselves to a digital learning environment. A homebound student can participate to full capacity with his or her classmates either through a website, chatroom or learning management system such as Edmodo or My Big Campus. This could also be the case for a student who is homebound but is also available for face to face time with a homebound instructor.

In the case of professional development, a blended learning situation can be priceless. In this case, an administrator has the ability to created a flipped classroom model ensuring that the staff is prepared for the PD session. Preparation and ability to provide input is an obstacle that many administrators battle.
Teachers can also obtain additional professional development online through the request of administrator as well as on their own.

Overall, blended learning models have opened doors for students who otherwise would not succeed or find interest in learning. In my opinion, the greatest obstacle in the past decade has been student ownership and responsibility. Blended learning has brought about a new excitement for both students and teachers. No longer is education stale!