What is Blended Learning?
Blended learning is an educational method that combines online education with the traditional in-person learning experience. Blended learning allows students to enjoy the personalized nature of online education without missing out on the benefits of in-person learning.
By using this learning method, students have the flexibility and convenience to have control of their learning pace. They can decide when and where they want to attend the lesson or submit an assignment. Educators believe that blended learning gives the students a more global understanding of the subjects content. It also generates an environment where the interaction of teachers with students and students with other classmates increases, creating continuous feedback that enriches the learning experience.
Blended Learning in Education
Blended learning offers benefits to both educators and students, so long as it is administered properly. Blended learning can be applied to any subject. The central concern for educators is their ability to balance the combination of in person class time and online learning time appropriately for their students and subject matter. These are some of the advantages of blended learning:
- With the aid of technology for organization and scheduling, educators suffer less stress and pressure while preparing and presenting lessons
- The increased variety of class activities deepens student engagement.
- Educators can save valuable time by automating grading work.
- Students can personalize lessons based on their educational needs.
- Lessons are more eco-friendly (much less printing involved).
Blended learning is far from perfect. It still has significant disadvantages, such as:
- It requires students and teachers to be in an economic situation where they have steady internet access and the resources to purchase and maintain the most up-to-date technology. Blended learning may not be accessible to those in more difficult economic circumstances.
- Teachers and students can constantly communicate and give feedback, but the amount of effort required to maintain this constant communication can be exhausting. Online communication is also “colder” than in-person interaction, which can make education more difficult.