What is Blended Learning?

Blended courses (also known as hybrid or mixed-mode courses) are classes where “a portion of the traditional face-to-face instruction is replaced by web-based online learning.” McGee and Reis (2012)

There isn’t a set percentage of how much of the course is online and how much is face to face. This had led to many researchers asking the question, is blended learning an enhancement to online learning or is online learning an enhancement to face to face learning?

It is a question which is usually answered based on biases developed by individuals of certain preferences, and the various experiences professionals have had with education.

The Sloan Consortium (a professional organization dedicated to postsecondary online learning) defines blended learning as a course where 30%-70% of the instruction is delivered online.

McGee and Reis (2012) observe that in blended learning quite often “the process of design is emphasized as one of re-design, implying that those involved in the design process are willing and able to see beyond what has been done in the traditional classroom and re-conceptualize what can be done in multiple delivery modes”

This is true in most education organizations such as Colleges and Universities, where they have a long lasting tradition of delivering face to face learning. However due to enhancements in technologies we know have a lot of large organisations who deliver nothing but online-learning. In such scenarios the reverse of what McGee and Reis (2012) stated can be true. However I want to look at this on the perspective that you are developing a Learning course from scratch and you will define which part of the course you will have as face to face and which part you will have in online learning setting.

The benefits of Blended learning can be gauged from the popularity of online learning. Blended learning provides conveniences for training providers, in that they don’t need as many classrooms or teachers to provide support, furthermore it give students flexibility and still maintains the teacher (face to face) support some students desire. There is definitely a space for blended learning within education and with the benefits it offers, I am confident it is something worth developing.

Implementing the online instruction within the course improves instructors ability to analyse student participation and in some instances motivation. Furthermore as stated byT Bender – 2003 shy students participate more in online discussions the within a classroom. My experiences of teaching show that students develop better individual learning skills when tasked to do things within their own time. This I can gauge from my personal experiences, while working delivering Microsoft certifications at Pearson, we managed to improve our Pass-rates by 20% improving from 80-100%, when we implemented select modules, from Microsoft IT Academy and custom online resources.

I personally feel it is the responsibility of the blended learning designer, to set-up a course based on the needs of the learner. At times it would be which is the best method for learning, other times external factors will force you to prefer one over the other. E.g: Location, Convenience, Time and travel constraints.

 

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