Blended learning has been a topic of discussion in education for the last decade. Blended learning approaches the traditional face-to-face classroom methods with the online learning methods. This approach is designed to give the advantages of both online learning and classroom style learning. With an increase in the use of technology to support learning, blended learning has proved to be a highly efficient form of teacing and learning.
What is Blended Learning?
Blended learning is an education program that integrates computerized digital technologies with face-to-face teaching techniques. Some of the instruction has to be face-to-face involving the presence of both the teacher and the student, while some elements are virtual, which are accessed through technology. Blended learning enables students to progress at their own rate with customized content, but still retain vital direct contact time. It seeks to combine the modernity and the technicalities of online learning with the interpersonal social aspects of traditional learning.
The concept of blended learning is quite ambiguous as it can encompass any learning model and combinations of models. However, in general blended learning always refers to an approach to education that combines:However, in general blended learning always refers to an approach to education that combines:
1. This means that the student and teacher are physically present in front of each other.
2. Synchronous face to face teaching techniques (demonstrations, reading, practice etc.)
3. Hybrid instruction through virtual media and activities which are considered through the technological platforms.
This balance may be in terms of intensity, but it is mandatory for the traditional and online components to offer significant input into the learning program for it to be referred to as blended learning.
Benefits of Blended Learning
A lot of researches in the past years showed that the application of the blended learning improves the learning process for students when it is used properly. Here are some of the major benefits associated with blended learning models:Here are some of the major benefits associated with blended learning models:
Increased Flexibility and Accessibility
Blended learning affords students the flexibility of time and place. The online component enables students to retrieve educational content at their convenience from any location using digital gadgets. This helps students who have other responsibilities in their lives such as having a job and families. The face to face also serves as a needful structure and order to the program.
Personalized and Self-Paced Learning
The blended learning system allows the application of adaptive learning technologies in the virtual aspect since content can be customized depending on the students’ ability levels. Students can also equally spend their time using the content in a self-paced manner, moving to the next level once they are done mastering the content. This differentiation and flexibility is to meet those different needs.
Development of Key Skills
Blended learning enables the development of the other important and essential student attributes that they will require in their future careers and lives such as time management, self-motivation, computer literacy, and self-discipline. The model empowers students to be independent and responsible for their own learning process as well.
Interactive Multimedia Usage
The use of blended learning enables the use of instructional and/or presentation media in form of video, audio and/or any activity. It also provides more interaction and targets different categories of learners through this dynamic approach. The variety also helps with retaining information as the course unfolds.
Social Interaction and Community Construction
On a similar note, although blended learning does integrate the online component, there is a significant level of interpersonal interaction within the class and between the students and instructors. This enables teamwork, relationship development and even emotional growth among the members. The face-to-face element adds value to the learning process.
Increased accountability & supervision of teachers
Despite the teachers’ involvement in parts of the blended learning program, their physical presence is essential to offer individual direction, assistance, and feedback. It makes it easier for teachers to track their students’ progress and what parts of the lesson they are struggling to understand. The role of the human factor is important; it motivates students and helps them stay on track.
Implementing Blended Learning Effectively
It turns out that there is a lot of value in hybrid approaches – but only if it is done correctly and combines the best of online and face-to-face delivery. Here are some best practices for implementing blended learning:Here are some best practices for implementing blended learning:
Maintaining Offline and Online Contact
The balance of face-to-face teaching and online learning should be defined depending on students and the topics more effectively. Find out the right percentage integration level for each target audience segment and adapt correspondingly.
Offer Consistent Teacher/Student Contact
Ensure that there are active communication channels in both virtual and face-to-face modes. Teachers should frequently check and review the student progress online and give feedback as well. Student questions and classroom discussions should take place at this time.
Offer Technical Education & Assistance
If your blended learning approach focuses on using online platforms and applications, make certain students and staff are orientated regarding their use and have access to technical support. Offer self-help reference materials and staff members specializing in solving problems. Be prepared for infrastructure failures by having analog backups.
Evaluate & Improve
Conduct brief online and traditional surveys and/or assessments to discover what is effective and what can be modified to maximize participation and success. Regarding the insight, it is critical to use the analytics from the digital tools. Improve methodologies based on feedback and empirical data.
Motivate & Engage
Employ various educational media, appeal to multiple senses and interactiveness, and individualization to increase engagement and attention – especially in online meetings. Encourage participation by tracking it and have grading implications for non-adherence to ensure individuals do not drop out. Also, rewards programs to encourage students to perform better should be adopted.
Blended Learning Allows Customization
Another benefit of using blended learning is that education programs can be developed in a specific and unique manner given specific learning needs and target learners. This flexibility is made possible by the hybrid model which combines both online and tradition activities. Blended approaches can be customized across parameters such as:Blended approaches can be customized across parameters such as:
– Age level: Elementary, secondary, post-secondary, continuing education
– Subject matter: Arts, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, technical and practical subjects
– Learning priorities: Self-managed, team-oriented, prescription promoted
– Constraints: Cost, teacher support and teachers, and access
This flexibility ensures that blended learning is useful in numerous learning contexts within various disciplines. The hybrid model can therefore be defined as a concept that enables one to adopt the positive attributes of both online and in-classroom teaching and use them to fulfill certain education requirements.
Conclusion
The concept of blended learning is aimed at trying to use technology to support as well as enhance effective teacher-student direct contact. This blended teaching model has thus become a significant development in the practice of teaching. When well designed and implemented, it has been proven that combining of conventional and innovative approaches of learning positively and significantly transforms the learning achievements and experiences of students in various learning facilities in schools, colleges and universities, business and industrial organizations and training institutions. With technology becoming more and more integrated into society, blended learning will continue to rise in the future due to its effectiveness and high students’ interest.
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