Workshop Objectives:
- Goal 1: What is blended learning?
- Goal 2: How can it benefit my classroom?
- Goal 3: Building your blended learning course.
Goal 1: What is blended learning?
Blended learning combines the best of online learning and face-to-face instruction for the purpose of enhancing learning. There are three primary components:
A course created in a blended learning model uses the classroom time for activities that benefit the most from direct interaction. Traditional education (especially at the college level) tends to place an emphasis on delivering material by way of a lecture, while in a blended learning model lectures can be videotaped ahead of time so the student can watch on their own time. The classroom time is more likely to be for structured exercises that emphasize the application of the curriculum to solve problems or work through tasks. An individual semester of blended learning may emphasize classroom time at the beginning, then gradually increase the amount of work that students do online or during independent study.
The “flipped” classroom, a more recent coinage, refers to classes that are structured almost exclusively around a reversal of expectations for lectures and homework. Students are expected to watch lectures online at home, and do homework while they are in class.
In some situations, the move to blended learning has inspired educators to redefine traditional roles. The word “facilitator” has emerged as an alternative to “teacher,” bringing with it a slightly different focus. The facilitator places an emphasis on empowering students with the skills and knowledge required to make the most of the online material and independent study time, guiding students toward the most meaningful experience possible.
Blended learning combines the best of online learning and face-to-face instruction for the purpose of enhancing learning. There are three primary components:
- In-person classroom activities facilitated by a trained educator.
- Online learning materials, often including pre-recorded lectures given by that same instructor.
- Structured independent study time guided by the material in the lectures and skills developed during the classroom experience.
A course created in a blended learning model uses the classroom time for activities that benefit the most from direct interaction. Traditional education (especially at the college level) tends to place an emphasis on delivering material by way of a lecture, while in a blended learning model lectures can be videotaped ahead of time so the student can watch on their own time. The classroom time is more likely to be for structured exercises that emphasize the application of the curriculum to solve problems or work through tasks. An individual semester of blended learning may emphasize classroom time at the beginning, then gradually increase the amount of work that students do online or during independent study.
The “flipped” classroom, a more recent coinage, refers to classes that are structured almost exclusively around a reversal of expectations for lectures and homework. Students are expected to watch lectures online at home, and do homework while they are in class.
In some situations, the move to blended learning has inspired educators to redefine traditional roles. The word “facilitator” has emerged as an alternative to “teacher,” bringing with it a slightly different focus. The facilitator places an emphasis on empowering students with the skills and knowledge required to make the most of the online material and independent study time, guiding students toward the most meaningful experience possible.
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Goal 2: How can it benefit my classroom?
Blended learning is important because it breaks down the traditional walls of teaching, ones that don’t work for all students and now with access to present day technologies and resources we can tailor the learning experience for each student. Blended learning also offers flexible time frames that can be personalized to each person, offering them the ability to learn at their own pace. There are several benefits for both students and educators.
Educator Benefits:
Student Benefits:
Blended learning is important because it breaks down the traditional walls of teaching, ones that don’t work for all students and now with access to present day technologies and resources we can tailor the learning experience for each student. Blended learning also offers flexible time frames that can be personalized to each person, offering them the ability to learn at their own pace. There are several benefits for both students and educators.
Educator Benefits:
- More engaged students
- Better information and feedback on work
- Extended time with students
- Focus on deeper learning
- Motivate hard to reach kids
- Improved time efficiency
Student Benefits:
- Students have the ability to track their progress
- Learn through a variety of activities
- Increased student interest
- Learn at their own pace
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Goal 3: Building your blended learning course.
Critical success factors when building your blended course entail the proper amalgamation of teaching and learning strategies for you as the facilitator of learning, your students, and the learning environment. The key areas to bear in mind as you build your course are:
Instructional Method:
Essentially, the question to ask is how the specific learning objective at hand can be delivered most effectively. That is, determine whether the content or interaction of the course should be addressed in the face-to-face class session, online, or both. The one caveat to keep in mind is to avoid unintended replication that could be perceived as pointless by your students.
Organization of the Course Content and Supporting Materials:
Besides determining the coverage in terms of depth and breadth, consider what constitutes the most suitable sequencing and transition between the online and face-to-face portions of your blended course.
Defining a Course Interaction and Assessment Strategy:
Determining the types of activities, assignments, interactive exercises and assessment is crucial as students need to understand the applicability of what they are learning. Providing sufficient examples and opportunities to practice the knowledge and skills they are acquiring is key for their self-assessment and your assessment on whether they are closer to achieving the proficiency expected of them.
Communication:
Communication and feedback are crucial in building a quality and satisfactory blended learning experience. Some of the most successful communication approaches encourage plenty of appropriate student-to-faculty contact; collaboration and interaction among students; prompt feedback; and communication of expectations and protocols from the very beginning of the course.
Logistical Considerations:
Lastly, for a comprehensive approach to building a blended course, awareness of the technologies, services, and support available to you and your students can be very valuable. For instance, knowing the protocols of your institution’s technical support can shape your communication strategy in terms of how promptly your students can get additional help when a technology problem arises.
Critical success factors when building your blended course entail the proper amalgamation of teaching and learning strategies for you as the facilitator of learning, your students, and the learning environment. The key areas to bear in mind as you build your course are:
Instructional Method:
Essentially, the question to ask is how the specific learning objective at hand can be delivered most effectively. That is, determine whether the content or interaction of the course should be addressed in the face-to-face class session, online, or both. The one caveat to keep in mind is to avoid unintended replication that could be perceived as pointless by your students.
Organization of the Course Content and Supporting Materials:
Besides determining the coverage in terms of depth and breadth, consider what constitutes the most suitable sequencing and transition between the online and face-to-face portions of your blended course.
Defining a Course Interaction and Assessment Strategy:
Determining the types of activities, assignments, interactive exercises and assessment is crucial as students need to understand the applicability of what they are learning. Providing sufficient examples and opportunities to practice the knowledge and skills they are acquiring is key for their self-assessment and your assessment on whether they are closer to achieving the proficiency expected of them.
Communication:
Communication and feedback are crucial in building a quality and satisfactory blended learning experience. Some of the most successful communication approaches encourage plenty of appropriate student-to-faculty contact; collaboration and interaction among students; prompt feedback; and communication of expectations and protocols from the very beginning of the course.
Logistical Considerations:
Lastly, for a comprehensive approach to building a blended course, awareness of the technologies, services, and support available to you and your students can be very valuable. For instance, knowing the protocols of your institution’s technical support can shape your communication strategy in terms of how promptly your students can get additional help when a technology problem arises.
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