Is Blended Learning Worth the Hype?

A new social media tool is launching called The Hype that allows you to rate whether a movie, event, music person, place or product -- you name it -- is worth the hype or not.

With this new tool in mind, I have been wondering: Is Blended Learning (and educational technology solutions in general) worth the hype or not?

If you follow the education blogosphere, you can read many posts regarding the fast growing field of Blended Learning and next generation technology tools that will revolutionize learning. At Envision Schools we have employed technology as a tool for learning and communication for the last 10 years. We have even launched a pilot blended learning project at our Oakland school in partnership with Google, Khan Academy and the Design School (K-12 Division) at Stanford.

At the same time, education experts I trust like Larry Cuban have called this educational gold rush into question with posts like these. Even the New York Times is conflicted; in September, they ran a scathing article on educational technology, then last week, highlighted Blended Learning on their Learning Network website with the post, "Five Ways to Flip Your Classroom."

Next month, I am going to ask my aspiring school administrator students at St. Mary's College in California who are taking the course, Technology in Leading and Managing, to consider the question: Is Blended Learning (and educational technology solutions in general) worth the hype or not?

What do you think, hype or not? Please share your thoughts on this topic.