Blended Learning

Blended Learning

Blended learning is a learning methodology that using the way e-learning is being combined with traditional classroom methods and independent study to create a new, integrative teaching methodology. In other words, blended learning is a learning method which mix the traditional and online method. It has three primary components:

• In-person classroom activities facilitated by a trained educator.
• Online learning materials, often including pre-recorded lectures.
• Structured independent study time guided by the material in the lectures and skills developed during the classroom experience.

In traditional education, teacher gives material by the way of a lecture, while in a blended learning model lectures can be videotaped ahead of time, so the student can watch on their own time. The classroom time is more likely to be for structured exercises that emphasize the application of the curriculum to solve problems or work through tasks.

In blended learning, teacher acts as facilitator while students are more active because they can control over time, place, path, or pace. The facilitator support students with the skills and knowledge required to make the most of the online material and independent study time, guiding students toward the most meaningful experience possible. Facilitators focus on four key areas:

• Development of online and offline course content.
• Facilitation of communication with and among students, including the pedagogy of communicating content online without the contextual clues students would get in person.
• Guiding the learning experience of individual students, and customizing material wherever possible to strengthen the learning experience.
• Assessment and grading, not unlike the expectations for teachers within the traditional framework.

Blended learning can be grouped into six models:

1.      Face-to-face driver

Here, teacher delivers most of the curriculum. A physical teacher employs online learning in a technology lab or the back of the classroom.

2.      Online lab

In a brick-and-mortar location, an online platform delivers the entire course. Often, students who participate in an online lab program also take traditional courses.

3.      Rotation

In learning process, when students are given a course, they rotate on a fixed schedule between self-paced online learning and sitting in a classroom with face-to-face teacher.

4.      Self-blend

Here, students independently choose to take remote online courses to support their school’s traditional curriculum.

5.      Flex

In small group session, teacher provides on-site, as-needed support through in-person tutoring. An online platform delivers most of the curriculum.

6.      Online driver

Students work remotely and face-to-face check-in are either available or mandatory.

There are some advantages of applying Blended Learning in classroom because it provides:

1.      Integrated system

2.      High-quality dynamic content

3.      Analytics

4.      Automation

5.      Application that enhance students’ motivation