WHY BLENDED LEARNING?
Technology has changed the way we make knowledge-making education more accessible to all. Education has undergone a revolution of its own, and 2020 is a stark example of this. As per statistics put out by UNESCO on its website, over 190 countries faced disruption in informal learning and teaching, impacting nearly 1.5 billion learners at one point. As per the same report, about 320 million learners have been affected in India alone. (*Source:https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse)
WHAT IS BLENDED LEARNING MODEL?
Simply put, a blended learning model is a mixture of e-learning and traditional learning, which educational institutes are increasingly adopting. This approach helps cater to individual learning styles and needs. Blended Learning Models bringing together the best of both worlds – online study and face-to-face learning – helps students stay motivated and engaged.
There are different models of blended- learning that educators around the globe have been experimenting with:
Online: Instruction occurs via an online platform, with periodic face-to-face meetings.
Rotation: Student rotates between self-paced online learning and face-to-face instruction. Schedules are fixed but flexible.
Flex: Most instruction is delivered online, with teachers providing as-needed support in small-group settings.
Personalized blend: Teacher designs face-to-face and anywhere, anytime learning options that straddle the physical classroom and virtual spaces. Learning is the constant, and time is the variable.
Online lab: Instructions take place in a brick and mortar lab. Delivered by an online teacher and supervised onsite by paraprofessionals.
Self-blend: Students take online courses to supplement their traditional schools face to the face course catalogue.
Face-to-face: The teacher offers primarily face-to-face instruction, supplemented with technology in the classroom or computer lab.
From a teachers’ perspective, a digitized setup or an LMS (Learning Management System), offered through Blended Learning Models, provides a rich repository of print and online resources that allows the teachers to collaborate with students to create a more interactive engagement. A combined approach to learning and teaching also made it possible to do justice to the concept of interdisciplinary teaching and flipped learning methodologies. The recently announced National Education Policy, 2020, emphasizes technology’s inclusion in the learning pedagogy to provide a more holistic experience to the teacher and students.
ADVANTAGES OF BLENDED LEARNING
The blended learning system has several perks over conventional education, making it a preferred option for many.
Unlimited access: Instead of waiting to get the course materials, students can enjoy easy and complete access to all relevant modules at the click of a button. Students can go through the work at their preferred pace and gain a thorough understanding of each topic.
Personalized attention: Blended classrooms suit everyone’s understanding level and allow the teacher to pay individual attention to students. This way, teachers can connect and keep track of all questions and problems.
Peer collaboration: Among the many top Blended Learning Benefits is collaborating and engaging in discussions with peers. You get to work with course participants, share feedback and enjoy an improved way of studying.
Affordable: Another great perk of the Blended Learning Model is that it’s pocket-friendly and affordable for students.
Improved efficiency: Using technology to learn things on your own makes one self-reliant. While students are guided, they have the independence to utilize study materials multiple times to build upon their knowledge.
Remote access: Blended Learning Benefits the students by studying according to their schedule and offers in-class sessions. This makes learning both impactful and practical for all.
CONCLUSION
All students, no matter their age, learn differently, and teaching methods should reflect this by designing teaching programs to reach visual, auditory, and kinetic learners alike.
With the heavy integration of technologies, we can expect improvements in teaching, information retention, engagement, responsibility, and enjoyment. Students never outgrow their learning styles, meaning the Blended Learning Model is more crucial than ever, from one industry to another, from schools to corporations, from all walks of life.