Blended learning involves using the Internet to create more personalized learning experiences for each student wherein he/she gets empowered to have an increased control over the time, place, path, and/or pace of learning. It is much more than just technology rich learning through gadgets and devices, it is supervised or instruction-led learning in a brick-and-mortar location. The integration of these elements help to trace the unique learning path of each learning.
Types of online/technology-based tools for Blended Learning include:
- Knowledge Management Tools
- Digital Libraries & Content Repositories
- Webcasting and video streaming
- Online simulations
- Mobile and handheld technologies
- Wireless technologies
- Pod casting & iPods
- Intelligent Agents
- Electronic Books
- Blogs and online diaries
- Massive multiplayer online gaming
- Wikis
- Language training and support tools
The realm of blended learning extends far beyond just technology based learning. There’s a difference between blending technology and layering it – when you make content available across different devices using the Internet, it is technology layering. Blended learning on the other hand is creating a mix of both offline and online learning experiences in a way that they complement each other. Instructional strategies such as lecturing, guided learning, exploratory discussions, debates and role-playing must be amalgamated with online learning tools such as podcasts, e-books, webcasts and digital video libraries, massive multiplayer online games, wikis, etc. to create a unique learning path of each learner. Every learner’s experience is different and personalized according to his/her learning preferences.
The single most important challenge to blended learning currently is that the concept is not understood properly, making availability of human resources who can successfully implement it, difficult. Directly measuring the impact of blended learning is also a slightly difficult task because of its fluid and abstract nature as well as the presence of so many learning elements. However, organizations and educational institutes have established that using a wide range of learning methods (both online and offline) is far more effective in delivering personalized and more relevant learning experiences.
Schools that use blended learning in their curriculum:
How does this help as research for my project?
All of the schools that use blended learning in their classes believe that children should be able to decide on how they learn and what pace they learn at. Children do not all learn the same way and blended learning helps teachers to personalize each child’s education and also develop a more personal relationship and understanding of the individual student. Although blended learning is not a strategy that I will be specifically implementing into my project, I feel like the model is a good example of how this take on education could be a better solution than the current system. Also because it incorporates technology into education, from a Digital Media perspective this is very interesting as it is important for schools to embrace technology, rather than fight against it.
Sources:
Blending learning playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLvzOwE5lWqhTv1uCzuAZZZbBJseZP_HwY&v=orv5KV0qepA
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/film-festival-blended-learning-resources
Websites:
http://www.blendmylearning.com/videos/
http://www.blendmylearning.com/schools/
http://www.blendedlearningnow.com
https://blended.online.ucf.edu
http://www.teachthought.com/learning/blended-flipped-learning/the-definition-of-blended-learning/
http://www.collaborizeclassroom.com
http://www.carpediemschools.com/about/
Leave a comment