scholarly journals Blended Learning

Author(s):  
Parthsarthi Pandey

A critical component of blended learning is that technology is combined with face-to-face instruction to enhance learning for students. Without this essential component, blended learning would be no different than when a teacher projects online curriculum to the entire class on a whiteboard. A blended learning methodology enables students to utilize technology to learn in a way that best meets their needs while in an environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving. The focus on how technology is used in a blended learning approach is critical for separating it from being a technology-rich classroom. Blended learning is an instructional approach that enables teachers to have more time to personalize learning for their students. Learning is personalized so that students in a blended learning environment have some control over the pace of their learning.

Author(s):  
Jered Borup ◽  
Charles R. Graham ◽  
Andrea Velasquez

Instructors in a blended learning format struggle to find an effective balance between face-to-face instruction that is high in fidelity and online instruction that is high in flexibility. This chapter presents three cases where asynchronous video communication was used to help offer students instruction high in fidelity and flexibility. Although the medium for sharing asynchronous video varied between the three cases, findings indicate that video was a useful tool to improve instructor immediacy and/or social presence with a minimum amount of face-to-face instruction. The instructors in all three cases saw asynchronous video communications as an effective way to communicate with students, and the majority of students responded positively to asynchronous video communications.


Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000012851
Author(s):  
Katharina Bornkamm ◽  
Cora Koch ◽  
Jörg Dietterle ◽  
Marius Steiert ◽  
Andreas Fleig ◽  
...  

Objective:To compare a blended learning approach with traditional face-to-face instruction in terms of their individual effectiveness in imparting neurological examination (NE) skills in medical students.Methods:We conducted a prospective controlled study of 4th-year medical students (n=163) who were pseudo-randomly distributed into two groups. Group A (n=87) was subjected to a traditional teaching method comprising two face-to-face sessions. Group B (n=76) underwent blended learning, which consisted of an individual preparation period using a course handbook and videoclips, plus a single face-to-face session. NE skill acquisition was assessed by an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Questionnaires were used for evaluation.Results:Comparison of mean OSCE scores in Groups A vs. B revealed that NE skill acquisition was better in Group B (blended learning), with a moderate effect size, a smaller OSCE score variance, and fewer students performing poorly than in Group A (face-to-face instruction). Student evaluation revealed that both teaching approaches were well accepted, albeit a higher level of satisfaction was associated with the blended learning approach. This method also provided more time for practice and feedback.Conclusion:The blended learning approach is a highly efficacious and valued method for teaching NE skills. It offers instructors and faculty the advantage of successful skill acquisition in students despite the considerably reduced attendance time.


Author(s):  
David Starr-Glass

This chapter is a reflection on practice that resulted in the incorporation of an active blended learning approach in courses which the author facilitates for transnational students. These courses were popular, received very favorable student evaluations, and seemed successful in delivering their learning goals. However, there was a growing realization that the dynamics of these courses could be enhanced and made more effective in terms of student engagement. There was also a concern that the “blending” in the course designations might be more of an administrative classification than a thoughtful combination of the best features of distance online learning and face-to-face instruction. The chapter details the author's reflection on practice in course design and facilitation. It reviews the identification of areas of concerns and missed opportunities in these learning environments. Finally, the chapter considers the implementation and result of actions taken to revise and reposition these courses through an active blended learning paradigm.


2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nanette P. Napier ◽  
Sonal Dekhane ◽  
Stella Smith

This paper describes the conversion of an introductory computing course to the blended learning model at a small, public liberal arts college. Blended learning significantly reduces face-to-face instruction by incorporating rich, online learning experiences. To assess the impact of blended learning on students, survey data was collected at the midpoint and end of semester, and student performance on the final exam was compared in traditional and blended learning sections. To capture faculty perspectives on teaching blended learning courses, written reflections and discussions from faculty teaching blended learning sections were analyzed. Results indicate that student performance in the traditional and blended learning sections of the course were comparable and that students reported high levels of interaction with their instructor. Faculty teaching the course share insights on transitioning to the blended learning format.


Author(s):  
Wing Sum Cheung ◽  
Khe Foon Hew

<span>In this paper, we share two blended learning approaches used at the National Institute of Education in Singapore. We have been using these two approaches in the last twelve years in many courses ranging from the diploma to graduate programs. For the first blended learning approach, we integrated one asynchronous communication tool with face to face tutorials, classroom discussions, and a reflection session. For the second blended learning approach, we integrated two asynchronous tools with face to face tutorials in a course. We discuss the theoretical foundation of the two blended learning approaches. In addition, we share insights from these two blended learning approaches, based on the students' data (online postings, questionnaires, reflection logs, and interviews), as well as our own reflections. Finally, we describe and discuss several important lessons learned that could inform the design of future instructional strategies in implementing blended learning in university teaching and learning settings.</span>


2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 11-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emine Cabı ◽  
Yasemin Gülbahar

This study is conducted to develop a scale for assessing the effectiveness of blended learning environments based on the features of both face-to-face and online learning environments and provide suggestions for stakeholders. In the process of scale development, data gathered from 314 students were analyzed. The reliability and validity results for collected data were found to be acceptable since they were between or above the expected value. Based on the analysis it is found that the scale is composed of 55 items having a structure of 4 factors. Hence, it can be concluded that "Effectiveness of Blended Learning Environments Scale" is found as reliable and valid, and can measure what it aims to measure. Blended Learning Environment Scale, which was developed and analyzed for reliability and validity throughout this study, is expected to facilitate the further research studies that focused on blended learning environments.


2013 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Means ◽  
Yukie Toyama ◽  
Robert Murphy ◽  
Marianne Baki

Background/Context Earlier research on various forms of distance learning concluded that these technologies do not differ significantly from regular classroom instruction in terms of learning outcomes. Now that web-based learning has emerged as a major trend in both K–12 and higher education, the relative efficacy of online and face-to-face instruction needs to be revisited. The increased capabilities of web-based applications and collaboration technologies and the rise of blended learning models combining web-based and face-to-face classroom instruction have raised expectations for the effectiveness of online learning. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study This meta-analysis was designed to produce a statistical synthesis of studies contrasting learning outcomes for either fully online or blended learning conditions with those of face-to-face classroom instruction. Population/Participants/Subjects The types of learners in the meta-analysis studies were about evenly split between students in college or earlier years of education and learners in graduate programs or professional training. The average learner age in a study ranged from 13 to 44. Intervention/Program/Practice The meta-analysis was conducted on 50 effects found in 45 studies contrasting a fully or partially online condition with a fully face-to-face instructional condition. Length of instruction varied across studies and exceeded one month in the majority of them. Research Design The meta-analysis corpus consisted of (1) experimental studies using random assignment and (2) quasi-experiments with statistical control for preexisting group differences. An effect size was calculated or estimated for each contrast, and average effect sizes were computed for fully online learning and for blended learning. A coding scheme was applied to classify each study in terms of a set of conditions, practices, and methodological variables. Findings/Results The meta-analysis found that, on average, students in online learning conditions performed modestly better than those receiving face-to-face instruction. The advantage over face-to-face classes was significant in those studies contrasting blended learning with traditional face-to-face instruction but not in those studies contrasting purely online with face-to-face conditions. Conclusions/Recommendations Studies using blended learning also tended to involve additional learning time, instructional resources, and course elements that encourage interactions among learners. This confounding leaves open the possibility that one or all of these other practice variables contributed to the particularly positive outcomes for blended learning. Further research and development on different blended learning models is warranted. Experimental research testing design principles for blending online and face-to-face instruction for different kinds of learners is needed.


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.


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