Unit 6:

Overview of Blended Learning

Like never before, we have the technology to transform education—bringing it into the digital age and making it more personally meaningful and relevant for students.

In this Unit:

You will begin to understand how blended learning benefits students;
You will become familiar with the essential features of blended learning approaches by exploring different blended learning classrooms.

What is Blended Learning?

TASK 1

Let's begin by watching the video (3.19 min) below. Listen very carefully then list down FIVE keywords that describe what is blended learning, how it is done and what are the benefits to the students.

Submit your answer here.

Let's examine the result below.

Do you think the prominent keywords (as indicated by the size of the font) describe blended learning accurately?

TASK 2

The video below (3.20 min) explains what and how to leverage the power of blended learning for scaling up the student-centred learning experience. After watching this and the above video:

Explain the meaning of blended learning in your own words;
Do you think blended learning is a game-changer for the 21st-century education?

After you have completed Task 1 & 2, you should now have a basic idea of the meaning of blended learning.

iNACOL defines blended learning as…

Combining online delivery of educational content with the best features of classroom interaction and live instruction to personalize learning, allow thoughtful reflection, and differentiate instruction from student-to-student across a diverse group of learners.

Reasons for Implementing Blended Learning

TASK 3

The list below are reasons often given for introducing a blended learning approach to teaching and learning. Ranks the reasons in descending order (most important to least important) of their relevance to your own institution. Submit your answer here.

Examine the collective result. Do you agree?

Blended Learning Continuum

Blended learning comes in a wide range of implementation models. This diagram below summarises the continuum of models used in many educational institutions around the word, giving educators many ways in which online learning blends with and supports traditional instruction.

Things to Ponder

Up to this point, you can tell whether you are already practising some forms of blended learning in your classroom. Ponder on the following questions for your own self-reflection. Submit your reflection here.

What changes have you noticed in the role of the teachers in the blended learning (classroom) environment?
What changes have you noticed in the role of the student in a blended environment?
What has most surprised you about your experience teaching a blended course?
What kind of support was most helpful when you designed and implemented your blended course?
What else would you like to share about your blended teaching experience (i.e., things you wish you had known, suggestions, encouragement, etc.)?

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