Blended Learning

Blended learning is a formal education program in which a student learns in part through online delivery of content and instruction with some element control over time, place, path or pace. While still attending a school structure, face to face classroom methods are combined with computer mediated activities. Blended learning cite the opportunity for data collection and customisation of assessment as two major benefits of this approach.

I looked at the advantages and disadvantages of blended learning and came up with the following :

Advantages

Proponents of blended learning argue that by incorporating the asynchronous internet communication technology into courses serves to facilitate a simultaneous independent and collaborative learning experience and this incorporation is a major contributor to student satisfaction and success in such courses. The use of ICT have been found to improve access to as well as student attitudes towards learning. By incorporating IT into class projects, communication between lecturers and part-time students is improved, and students are able to better evaluate their understanding of course material via the use of 'computer based qualitative and quantitative assessment modules' in a study by Alexander McKenzie (1998).

Disadvantages

Blended learning has a strong dependence on technical resources with which the blended learning experience is delivered. These tools need to be reliable, easy to use, and up to date in order for the use of the internet to have a meaningful impact on the learning experience . Additionally, IT literacy can serve as a barrier for students attempting to get access to the course materials, making availability of high technical support paramount.

It has been observed that the use of lecture recording technologies can result in students falling behind in material. In a study performed across four different universities it was found that only half of the students watched the lecture videos on a regular basis, and nearly 40% of students watched several weeks worth of videos in one sitting.

Conclusion

Independent and collaborative learning experience contributes greatly on student satisfaction and success. There are a few students who may be shy to speak up and generally quiet, blended learning has been found to improve communication between facilitators and students.

References

(Staker,2012)_(Strauss,2012)_(Alexander,2010)_(Alexander, n.d.)