A Blended Learning Approach to Academic Writing and Presentation Skills

Author(s):  
Satu Tuomainen

AbstractBlended learning is a common learning mode in higher education which combines the use of online and face-to-face classroom learning. The use of blended learning for English for Academic Purposes (EAP) with non-native university students, however, can pose challenges from the methods and materials to the student perceptions. This article describes the blended learning implementation of an EAP course for academic writing and presentation skills and how the students perceived the blended course mode, methods, workload, learning atmosphere and challenges. Results indicate that non-native university students appreciated blended learning for the EAP course and found the flexibility and convenience of blended learning beneficial to their EAP learning. This encourages the further development of blended learning options for EAP writing and presentation skills as students no longer require the extensive classroom teaching context but instead adapt well to self-regulated and reflective learning of EAP.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Jesi Jecsen Pongkendek ◽  
Dewi Satria Ahmar ◽  
Haris Munandar ◽  
Muhammad Fath Azzajjad

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lectures must be conducted online. This research is a survey research to find out the perception of students in participating in online learning. Survey of Musamus University students in 6 faculties with a total of 262 respondents. Respondents were selected by proportionate stratified random sampling. The instrument used is a questionnaire made in google form with a total of 21 questions. Data analysis was carried out by calculating the percentage of each answer for each question item. Through this research, the results obtained are (1) Students realize online learning is a learning solution during the Covid-19 pandemic; (2) Students are happy with participating in online learning; (3) Students are enthusiastic to complete assignments; (4) Students realize that through the assignment of lecturers their knowledge is increasing; (5) Students find online learning beneficial for them; (6) Students have mastered the use of online learning platforms; (7) Students hope that online learning will no longer be carried out in the future. Students also prefer face-to-face learning compared to blended learning and online learning, but some students have realized that the blended learning model is an alternative in learning that can be applied in the future


Author(s):  
David Starr-Glass

Blended learning provides an opportunity to rethink the ways in which instructors and learners use face-to-face and online distance learning modalities. Sometimes, this opportunity is missed and the resulting blended course is no more than a mechanical mix that serves pragmatic purposes but fails to reshape learning. This chapter rethinks the structure and dynamics of blended learning experiences and considers what it might mean to use different teaching/learning modalities. It explores the possibilities, challenges, and design of blended learning from a perspective of variation theory. It also reviews strategies to make explicit the differences in structure and dynamics of face-to-face and online distance environments that are encountered by the learner and suggests the benefits and limitations of such strategies.


Author(s):  
Ishmael I. Munene ◽  
Flower Darby ◽  
John J. Doherty

Facetiously described as the “third generation” of distance learning, blended learning is now the new kid on the block in the deployment of technology to support teaching and learning. Its versatility as a pedagogical strategy for creating learner-centered instruction lies in the capacity to exploit the potentials of both the traditional face-to-face instruction and online learning modality in order to provide students with multiple pathways of learning. Yet, developing a blended course to take advantage of these duo capabilities is a monumental challenge for faculty. This chapter presents an analysis of approaches and models employed by faculty at Northern Arizona University to develop and deliver two blended courses as part of the institution's strategy of using technology to enhance undergraduate student engagement and retention. The analysis shows that a multimodal approach that infuses technologies and media and a proactive institutional policy in favor of blended learning, coupled with strategic faculty development, provides the best pathway to developing robust blended courses that are truly learner-centered.


2020 ◽  
Vol 88 ◽  
pp. 02010
Author(s):  
Maria Rudneva ◽  
Nailya Valeeva ◽  
Rdouan Faizi

The paper discusses a blended learning approach to teaching academic writing using an externally created MOOC fully incorporated into the existing pedagogic design. The authors intend to demonstrate potentials and limitations of mixed model learning in the ESP classroom. To this day there has been little research of repurposing MOOCs for language classes, as they are usually more practical and interactive. However, the authors believe that the online component of the blended course creates an additional dimension for language acquisition and allows to address numerous general issues on academic writing which are not traditionally discussed in ESP/EAP classes. Based on the results of the case study conducted at RUDN university, the study outlines numerous benefits of blended learning trajectory. However, the investigation revealed a few challenges, some of which can be easily remedied, whereas others are of more problematic nature.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 796
Author(s):  
Asti Gumartifa ◽  
Finza Larasati ◽  
Syafira Aurelia

The technology of information and communication (ICT) has evolved in the sector of education. Many elements have dramatically changed exponentially over the past three decades. It can modify and simplify the development of learning activities. Thus, Google Classroom will provide a blended learning platform in the education aspect. Google Classroom provides various things simpler for teachers to conduct learning practices effectively and efficiently, not the expected learning just in class, but even outside the classroom. It is revolutionizing schooling, thus the combination of mixed-method learning is also needed by each school. The advent of blended is among the most significant outcomes of the revolution. Learning which incorporates the essence of face-to-face and ICT use is needed in the era of 4.0. This article discusses existing theories, and empirical evidence relating to the essence of blended learning and Google Classroom in ELT. This research is used to create teachers’ broad mind widely to the use of Google Classroom as the blended course in English Language Teaching.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jieming Ma ◽  
Chili Li ◽  
Hai-Ning Liang

As the push for a diversified use of information technologies in higher education teaching continues, a growing number of colleges and universities have come to adopt blended learning which combines traditional face-to-face lectures with online instruction to create flexible approaches of delivering content that are consistent with the requirements of new digital economy. At the same time, university students are required to have continuous growth in literacy skills. Metaliteracy is a comprehensive model for information literacy that can enhance blended learning experience. Embedding metaliteracy learning in a blended course is considered as a feasible approach to empower students in blended learning. Combining an analysis of data gathered through a survey administered at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, a Sino-UK institution located in China, this paper reports the results of an investigation into the pedagogical issues including the metaliteracy learning experience of using an interactive communication environment and the benefits and challenges of integrating practices of metaliteracy with blended learning.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven J. Elmer ◽  
Kathryn R. Carter ◽  
Austin J. Armga ◽  
Jason R. Carter

In physiological education, blended course formats (integration of face-to-face and online instruction) can facilitate increased student learning, performance, and satisfaction in classroom settings. There is limited evidence on the effectiveness of using blending course formats in laboratory settings. We evaluated the impact of blended learning on student performance and perceptions in an undergraduate exercise physiology laboratory. Using a randomized, crossover design, four laboratory topics were delivered in either a blended or traditional format. For blended laboratories, content was offloaded to self-paced video demonstrations (∼15 min). Laboratory section 1 ( n = 16) completed blended laboratories for 1) neuromuscular power and 2) blood lactate, whereas section 2 ( n = 17) completed blended laboratories for 1) maximal O2 consumption and 2) muscle electromyography. Both sections completed the same assignments (scored in a blinded manner using a standardized rubric) and practicum exams (evaluated by two independent investigators). Pre- and postcourse surveys were used to assess student perceptions. Most students (∼79%) watched videos for both blended laboratories. Assignment scores did not differ between blended and traditional laboratories ( P = 0.62) or between sections ( P = 0.91). Practicum scores did not differ between sections (both P > 0.05). At the end of the course, students' perceived value of the blended format increased ( P < 0.01) and a greater percentage of students agreed that learning key foundational content through video demonstrations before class greatly enhanced their learning of course material compared with a preassigned reading (94% vs. 78%, P < 0.01). Blended exercise physiology laboratories provided an alternative method for delivering content that was favorably perceived by students and did not compromise student performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadiya Ravat ◽  
Paula Barnard-Ashton ◽  
Monique M. Keller

Background: Shifting from face-to-face teaching to incorporating technology may prepare students better for future work as health professionals. Evidence of blended teaching’s effect on the academic performance of undergraduate physiotherapy students’ performance is scarce.Objective: The purpose of our study was to determine students’ theoretical and clinical performance in a blended teaching module compared to their own performance in two knowledge areas taught face to face, and student perceptions of blended teaching in the third-year physiotherapy curriculum.Methods: The cross-sectional study design included 47 third-year physiotherapy students. The orthopaedic module was delivered using a blended teaching approach in two consecutive semesters, whilst two other physiotherapy knowledge areas, neuromusculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary, in the same semesters were delivered face to face. Theoretical and clinical performances of students were compared for significance and effect. Students were assessed on their theoretical and clinical knowledge in all areas using the same assessment methods. The students (n = 43) also completed a survey on their blended teaching experience.Results: Significantly higher theoretical marks for orthopaedics were calculated compared to neuromusculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary for both semesters with a large positive effect (average Cohen d = 4.44) for blended teaching on theoretical examination performance; no statistically significant difference for clinical performances. Students felt engaged in the blended teaching process, and 72% preferred blended teaching over face-to-face teaching or online delivery.Conclusion: Blended teaching improved the theoretical marks, demonstrating that knowledge acquisition was improved, but not clinical performance.Clinical implications: The study contributes to the knowledge base of blended learning in Health Science Education in South Africa. The authors identified a gap where future studies should investigate the effect of blended learning on clinical performance outcomes as a continuation from this one.


Author(s):  
Li Zhang ◽  
Yunjie Chen

Blended learning has played an important role in teaching English as a second or foreign language around the world. However, little research has been conducted on blended learning that is entirely online owing to the coronavirus pandemic. We aim at exploring the model of blending Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) and Small Private Online Courses (SPOC), Zoom conferencing, and the Canvas course management platform. The new approach of blended online learning incorporates the pre-class autonomous learning of knowledge in MOOC/SPOC, in-class internalization of knowledge through case studies and discussions on Zoom, and after-class application of knowledge to the completion of a research project. A questionnaire and interviews were conducted to explore learners’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the model. Learners have a positive attitude about the new approach of blended online learning, but still hope that the in-class activities can be implemented face-to-face offline. The model will contribute to teaching and learning with the blended approach against the current coronavirus pandemic.


2019 ◽  
pp. 225-226
Author(s):  
Monika Kotowska-Lewińska

Yue Zhu, Wing Au, Greg Yates, University Students’ Self-control and Self-regulated Learning in a Blended Course (Samokontrola oraz automotywacja studentów uczących się z wykorzystaniem metod blended learning), „The Internet and Higher Education” 2016, vol. 30


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document