Blended Learning as an Instructional Pedagogy in Digital Age
Introduction
There has always
been an argument that traditional learning is the best way of maintaining a
learning process where students normally learn in the environment in which
instructor addresses the learning requirements of the learners face to face,
but the truth is that like any other learning method traditional learning also
has both advantages and disadvantages.
On
the other hand the emergence of technology has led towards the implementation
of new learning strategies such as computer-based learning, web-based learning
or E- learning.
E-learning
specially means online learning and became popular because of its number of
advantages it had over traditional learning. Although there are lots of
advantages of the introduction of e-learning, the number of disadvantages of
e-learning has also been identified.
To
overcome the disadvantages or the weaknesses of both traditional approach and
e-learning, it seems effective and relevant that teachers implement the blended
learning approach which will combine the strengths of traditional and e-
learning methods and will help teachers to overcome the weaknesses and
drawbacks of the two learning approaches.
Blended
Learning combines the positive aspects of the two learning environments, classroom-based
learning and e-learning (Bonk & Graham, 2006). Blended learning is a mix of
delivery methods that have been selected and fashioned to accommodate the
various learning needs of a diverse audience in a variety of subjects. This
method can include any combination of various delivery methods (McSporran &
King 2002).
Dziuban, Hartman and Moskal (2004)
in a research brief for EDUCAUSE titled “Blended Learning” noted that blended
learning should be viewed as a pedagogical approach that combines the
effectiveness and socialization opportunities of the classroom with the
technologically enhanced active learning possibilities of the online
environment, rather than a ratio of delivery modalities.
The
implementation of blended learning in education had shown the positive effects.
According to Abraham (2007), blended learning can foster critical thinking and
have more control over learner’s learning. Blended learning as an instructional
approach can revolutionise the entire teaching-learning scenario facilitating
and enhancing the learning process.
Blended learning as a supplement to traditional
class-room instructions with online interaction
In the information and communication age, the
nature of work and the skills required to be successful, are very different
then they were required earlier. Today students need to learn and know a great
amount of information in a very little time in an inquiry-based, self-directed
learning context.
They need to collaborate effectively around the
world with students and teachers both face-to-face and online facilitating
collaborative learning which is now possible due to web 2.0 tools making
internet interactive and providing the opportunities to learn from the teachers
and educators from across the globe promoting sharing of their instructional pedagogies
and best practices, methods and devices used in their classroom teaching.
With the advanced internet technology and rich
web-based tools for learning it is now essential to use online learning and
interactions along with traditional classroom teaching to enrich the students
in an amazing way and extending the class-room beyond its four walls and fixed
time.
Educational websites, e-books, videos, podcasts,
online interactions in real time in the form of online classes, webinars, web-conferences
or e-workshops etc. can be used effectively along with traditional learning to
obtain the objective of effective learning provided that online resources are
used judiciously.
One effective way to do so is to follow a module
which can guide the teachers how to use various online synchronous and asynchronous
resources in a blended way.
Blended
Learning Module
1
Classroom learning
|
2
Online
learning
|
3
Blend
|
-
involves Face to face interaction with the
students
-
Traditional lesson plans are used
-
Demonstration, Illustration, discussion, question
answer and lecture method can be used
|
-
involves
online interaction with the students
-
Technology integrated lesson plans can be used
-
Learning through virtual classroom overcoming the
flaws of classroom teaching
-
Use of online resources
Educational
websites
Interactive
videos
Audios
-
Other multimedia features
-
Interaction with global community of teachers and
learners
-
Learning of content and techno skills of 21st
century
|
-
To further assist learning blend of the two(
classroom and online learning) is used
Where teacher
along with the online resources facilitates learning
-
Use of various synchronous and asynchronous
resources takes place along with the traditional teaching. e.g.,Video and
audio conferencing
Webcasting, online
interactions and other asynchronous resources are used to enhance learning.
|
Example
of pedagogical strategies for blended learning
Purpose of blended learning
|
Examples of effective strategies
|
Open Interaction
|
Creating small
group debate discussion teams
Encouraging
integration of classroom lecture and readings in debate and discussion
Assigning
facilitator and wrapper
Integrating
online activities in evaluation of student performance
Organizing
online classes, webinars and web-conferences for students as an integral part
of class-room teaching promoting interaction with the teacher, educationists
and students around the world
Using the software’s
like skype for video and audio interaction with a group of teachers across
the globe like “hlw-hello little world”
|
Knowledge
creation
|
Inviting
external experts to online classroom
Combining
asynchronous and synchronous online interactions
Promoting
anchored learning by requiring students to preview materials for online
discussions
Integrating
online activities in evaluation of students performance
Reducing class
time during online activities
|
Information
distribution
|
Posting
articles to read before each class begins
Creating
online social networking groups for
the students
Posting
articles used during class to review afterward
Posting and
uploading classroom learning and interaction in video and audio form
Tracking
students viewing of articles and materials
Sending
personal messages to students who do not check articles and materials through
e-mails and social networking sites
|
Efficient
management
|
allowing
electronic submission of assignment
Creating a
list of standardized feedback
Combining
standardized feedback with personal messages
|
Working of the module is explained by my Smart Plan
Advantages
of blended learning
Researches
evidences prove that blended learning has many advantages over traditional
teaching some are mentioned over here
- Blended
environments have the potential to increase and extend instructor-student
and student-student connectivity and builds relationships even more than
in traditional or online courses.
- Discussions
started in class are continued online and online interactions can be
discussed in the traditional
face-to-face classes.
- Integration
of out-of-class activities with in-class activities allows more effective
use of traditional class time.
- Students
who rarely take part in class discussions are more likely to participate
online.
- Researchers
report that students write better papers, perform better in exams, produce
high quality projects, and are capable of more meaningful discussions on
course material when reflecting online.
- Students
are better able to master concepts and apply what they have learned
compared to students in sections of their traditionally taught courses.
- Students
may develop higher-order skills of critical thinking, problem-solving, and
the ability to apply theoretical models to real-world data.
Conclusion
In today’s digital world it is an
educators’ responsibility to create the best learning environment for their
learners in order to achieve the learning goals and objectives. Blended
learning environment is seen to be one of the best learning environments that
can be implemented when its advantages are considered. However, other learning
approaches should also be revised and considered to complement blended learning
as well as to ensure the effectiveness of teaching and learning process.
References
Abraham,
A. (2007). Student centred teaching of accounting to engineering students:
Comparing blended learning with traditional approaches. Proceedings of
ASCILITE, pp 1-9
Dziuban,
C., Hartman, J., Moskal, P., Blended
Learning,EDUCAUSE Review, Volume 2004, Issue 7, 2004
