Teaching and learning have evolved with time. As new research comes out with better methods and strategies for education, the classrooms are changing to accommodate students. With so much new technology, the digital world is bound to be present in education. While some teachers and students prefer traditional education methods, the increase in digital and mobile learning technology has led to new methods and strategies in classrooms and in the education system. One such method is blended learning.
Blended learning, also known as hybrid learning, is an approach to education that combines online and in-person learning. In blended learning, part of the learning experience happened online. Another part happens in a physical location with supervision from teachers or guides. Blended learning must also have some level of student control for it to truly be blended learning. If there is no aspect that is student-controlled, then it becomes tech-rich traditional learning rather than blended learning. Student control means students control what time to look at course material, how fast or slow they cover a topic, etc. Additionally, blended learning must be an integrated course, meaning topics cannot be taught online then be fully repeated in-person. The online aspect should not be treated as a supplement; it needs to improve the learning experience.
Digital tools that are used in blended learning include Google Classroom, YouTube, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Noodle, and Blackboard.
Examples of blended learning are any moment that students have the opportunity to do part of their coursework online. Students could take a course online but do the assignments in-person. They could also be doing group work in a classroom setting but watching lecture and doing assignments through digital spaces. A specific example of blended learning is a flipped classroom. In a flipped classroom, the course material, lectures and notes, are viewed at home through digital platforms. Class time is reserved for discussion on the material, questions, and other forms of support. Over recent years, the flipped classroom method has become increasingly popular.
According to the US Department of Education, blended learning as proven to be a stronger educational method than in-person classes or online classes. That is because there are several advantages to blended learning. Blended learning allows students to learn in a way that works for them. It is more custom and personalized, which is important since students all have different ways of taking in information. Students are given more freedom and responsibility, enabling teaching moments for themselves and their peers. There is also an emphasis in what students bring into the classroom, their background and interests. Having discussions online allows for more participation, especially from shy students or students that are from marginalized groups. It allows for every voice in the class to be heard. Students must learn how they learn, think about thinking, and push themselves, increasing their metacognition.
As technology is made more available, blended learning will be appearing in more and more classes.
By Sarahi
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