It is that time of the year when it is your first day at your University! Yeah, I know the feeling, excitement along with nail-biting nervousness! As you are taken on the tour of University, what do you see? Your University is equipped with a vast portable 16’x 12’ stage, a super cool musical recording studio, multiple flat-screens, a rocking audio system, a fantastic video-conferencing room, a student lounge with soft seating, student tables glazed with Idea Paint, and an army of laptops and tablets!
WHAATT?? Is this for real?
Oh yes, it is for real! Pinch yourself
The blended learning models are the next-gen in the education field. So, just what is blended learning?
As per the definition, “Blended learning is an approach to education that combines online educational materials and opportunities for interaction with traditional place-based classroom methods. It requires the physical presence of both teacher and student, with some elements of student control over time, place, path, or place.”
To be precise Blended learning is bringing the best of classroom learning and online learning together.
Let me explain you with an example: You might attend classes in a real-world classroom setting and then supplement the lesson plan by completing online multimedia coursework. As such, you would only have to physically attend class once a week and would be free to go at their own pace (and without worrying about scheduling issues). Hmmm. That sounds like learning to me.
There are various such different models of Blended learning, combining multiple other learning techniques. It is also often referred to as “Hybrid” learning.
Undoubtedly, blended learning models are a great way to augment the learner’s experience, but its advantages go beyond that. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits to the learners:
● Increased interest: Don’t you feel that subjects like math and science that are monotonous and boring to be learned on the blackboard will be interesting if taught with technology more excitingly? When technology is integrated into lessons, learners are more likely to be interested in, focused on, and excited about their studying.
● Self-driven: You become self-driven and responsible, tracking your achievements, which helps develop the ability to find the resources or get the help you need, self-advocating so you can reach the goals. What more do you want than becoming self-sufficient?
● Student ownership: It does feel great to take responsibility for your things and charge in your hand, right? Blended learning helps you with that. It instills a sense of ‘student ownership over learning,’ which can be a powerful force propelling the teaching, It’s this feeling of responsibility that helps the feeling of ownership.
● Learning at your own pace: In the classroom, do you ever feel that some topics are going all over the head? Do you enjoy learning at your own pace? The flexibility that blended learning provides allows you to learn at your own pace, meaning a teacher can help speed up the learning process or give more advanced resources if necessary.
What is your age? Ah! Doesn’t matter!
With the integration of technologies, we’ll improve teaching, information retention, engagement, responsibility, and enjoyment. You never outgrow your learning styles, meaning blended learning is more important than ever, no matter what the industry is, from schools to corporations, from all walks of life. It is a learning that is genuinely blended!
-Urmi Joiser
