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Blended Learning: Putting Learners in the Driver’s Seat
While blended learning is a term that has been going around for some time, it is still a concept that not many may know or fully understand. So what is it?
In essence, blended learning is a teaching or training method that makes use of a combination of the traditional classroom environment and innovative online learning technologies. There are different ways to use this method. The ‘flipped classroom model’ is one example. This involves students learning the main concepts outside the classroom from online delivery and using the classroom sessions for discussions and activity-based learning.
It is important to note that simply moving learning content from their paper form to the digital environment is not blended learning. Technology is used not to be a carbon copy of traditional methods but to leverage on its possibilities to provide personalised and explorative experiences to the students.
In the classroom, students would now have a more enriched educational and social experience as they share information and collaborate with other students. Sessions becomes more targeted to want they want to discuss, rather than having everyone taught the same thing at the same time, regardless of their different levels of understanding.
However, when done wrong, it is possible that it could even have negative repercussions. Changing from the traditional approach to a blended delivery requires a fundamental overhaul of the course. So before diving headfirst, make sure that you have the need, the flexibility, the commitment and the capabilities to make the leap.
