EDC 340 - Blended Learning

    

    As technology is becoming more accepted into school curriculums, there are new strategies to help implement it into the classroom. One of those is blended learning. The website Pros and Cons of Blended Learning by Karle Stinehour goes into depth about the pros and cons of blended learning. The author defines it as, “A term used to describe the way eLearning is being combined with traditional classroom methods and independent study” (Stinehour). It is a way of differentiating material for all learning styles. A pro listed in the article is collaborative learning experiences because it can increase the collaboration between students and the instructor through an online training platform. Another pro is increased accessibility because it improves access and the students' attitudes towards learning. The next pro is better communication because an online training platform utilizes many communication tools. The last pro listed is successful evaluations which lets students evaluate themselves while getting immediate feedback.

    There are also some cons in the article. The first is that strong technological dependence will require a reliable internet to impact the learning experience. The next con is a lack of IT knowledge because it could prevent students from accessing materials. The last con listed is that students can fall behind. Since technology is used for lectures, it could allow students to get behind on material quickly. Overall, the pros outweigh the cons for blended learning, and it is proven to be an effective strategy.

    The video What is…Blended Learning? by Tomas Skyldeberg explains blended learning more thoroughly. He describes it as a combination of digital learning objects and active learning methods to improve the learning experience. It has three main components; face-to-face learning activities facilitated by an educator, digital learning objects, and structured independent study time guided by the face-to-face teaching experience. This allows the educator to shift more into a facilitator role and emphasize digital materials, active learning activities, and independent study time. Teachers can customize material that highlights the strengths of every student. 

    Using blended learning encompasses classrooms and online education. The website The Definition of Blended Learning by TeachThought Staff explains the specifics of blended learning. The author uses this statement to elaborate on the topic, “Hybrid education uses online technology to not just supplement, but transform and improve the learning process” (TeachThought Staff). This displays that blended learning will positively impact the way students learn. But it can only be successful if the material is dynamic, so it caters to the students' individual needs. Most professors will use a course management system like Blackboard or google classroom in higher education. Recently there has been a new education model called flipping. Instructors use online platforms to deliver notes and course materials so students can review them at their own pace. Then classroom time would be used for hands-on work where the teacher can discuss the material or answer questions. In conclusion, the blended learning model will only work if the teachers are committed, and the students understand the expectations.