Blended Learning

Charles D. Dziuban

Joel L. Hartman

Patsy D. Moskal

No Abstract

Summary
This article lists three main points about blended learning:

-“a shift from lecture- to student-centered instruction in which students become active and interactive learners (this shift should apply to the entire course, including the face-to-face contact sessions)”

- “increases in interaction between student-instructor student-student, student-content, and student-outside resources”

- “integrated formative and summative assessment mechanism for students and instructor” (3)

The article lists that some of the benefits of using blended learning including being able to host more courses since each class will use less time in the physical classroom. This also means that there will less on campus traffic and a reduced need of the on-campus parking spaces. It allows for schools to expand the amount of courses without expanding the physical buildings. This can increase financial earning abilities of the school. However, teachers report that blended learning courses take more of their time.

The blended courses focused “on learner-centered, engaging instruction using components such as discussion groups, chat rooms, and e-mail to facilitate increased interaction among students and with the instructor” (6). Some benefits from this style of learning includes being equal or better than regular face-to-face courses in amount of students succeeding at the course and amount of withdrawals.

Students who participated in the blended learning courses reported being more active in their classes. They also had to relearn how to learn since the mix between online and face-to-face communication is different than what they are used to. Additionally, teachers had to relearn how to relearn how to teach.

The article finished up by providing some key questions to consider before starting blended learning:

- “What programs in your institution are best suited for blended learning?”

- “What models of blended learning are most appropriate for your campus?”

- “What support mechanisms are necessary to ensure the success of blended learning on your campus?”

- “How can blended learning become an effective mechanism for meeting some of your institution’s strategic initiatives?”

- “How will you assess the impact of blended learning?” (11)