scholarly journals University ESL Instructors’ Reflections on the Use of Blended Learning in their Classrooms

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-35
Author(s):  
Said Ibrahim ◽  
Fauziah Ismail

Blended learning has been adopted in many universities worldwide since it combines the advantages of both online learning and face to face instruction. In this paper, the researcher reports on the quantitative segment of a mixed-methods case study that was conducted in a public university in Malaysia with the aim of investigating the ESL instructors’ reflections on the implementation of blended learning in their English language classrooms. More specifically, the researcher was interested in identifying the factors that enhance the implementation of blended learning and the challenges that seem to hinder an effective blended learning environment.   The quantitative data of the study were collected by a survey questionnaire, which was distributed to at least 30 English language instructors. Nineteen instructors responded to the questionnaire, and the data were analyzed by descriptive statistics via the statistical package for social science (SPSS). Findings show that while experience with technology and positive attitudes towards technology were identified as main factors enhancing the implementation of blended learning; workload and technological infrastructure were found to be the major challenges. The study signifies the need to address technology and workload related issues in order to effectively implement blended learning to promote ELT at tertiary level.  

Author(s):  
Sejdi Sejdiu

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of blended learning vis-à-vis face-to-face instruction. In order to achieve this aim, three research questions including were raised. The study was conducted using the case study approach which was supported by the collection of qualitative and quantitative data. The study involved two teachers, one who taught the experimental group using blended learning, and another one who taught the control group using face-to-face instruction. The results showed that the blended learning instructor executed instruction better and used more effective methods of assessment than the face-to-face instruction teacher. This is supported by differences in students’ performances which show that the experimental group performed better by scoring higher means and recording lower variances.


Author(s):  
Rana Tamim

The advent of technology has changed the landscape in post-secondary academic institutions and technology-enhanced university courses are becoming the norm. While Distance Education was previously restricted to traditional correspondence having limited options for student interaction with the instructor and no interaction with other learners, technology’s progression changed the context drastically. One of the emerging delivery modes is blended learning which combines the advantages of technology enhanced face-to-face instruction and electronic supported learning. The chapter offers a general overview of the influence of technological development on the post-secondary Distance Education sector and presents the advantages of the blended learning approach. Insights are offered from a UAE e-learning University case study while discussing implications for university professors and faculty members pertinent to instructional design and course delivery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-318
Author(s):  
Nataliia Oleksandrivna Aristova ◽  
Oleksandr Malykhin ◽  
Susanna Melikova

In the era of digitalization and informatization of the world community blended learning is becoming more and more prominent in improving professional training of students in various specialties as it enables to provide efficient learning, achieve learning goals and, what is more, to build their confidence. The aim of the research is to investigate the influence of blended learning incorporated into the professional training of students doing a BA degree in Teaching English as a Second Language on the increase of their general self-efficacy. To establish the relationship between the students’ general self-efficacy and blended learning we used a questionnaire. 133 students were selected to take part in a quantitative study which was conducted at three Ukrainian universities in 2019/2020 academic year. A non-random sampling technique basing on the fact that all 133 respondents studied the same disciplines was used to select the research sample. All the respondents were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was represented by 65 undergraduate students and the control group was represented by 68 undergraduate students. The disciplines selected for training all the respondents in the experimental and control groups were “Contrastive Grammar of the English and Ukrainian languages”, “Practical Grammar of the English Language”, “The Practical Course of the English Language”. The experimental group was to be taught through incorporating blended learning courses on the selected disciplines using the Moodle platform and the control group was to be taught through providing a face-to-face instruction on the selected disciplines. To draw firm conclusions we used methods of mathematical statistics and computer data processing. Obtained results revealed a positive and significant relationship between the incorporation of blended learning into the professional training of students doing a BA degree in Teaching English as a Second language and the increase in their levels of general self-efficacy.


Author(s):  
Zeynep Kocoglu ◽  
Yesim Ozek ◽  
Yesim Kesli

<span>Although the benefits of blended learning have been well documented in educational research, relatively few studies have examined blended learning in language teacher education. This study discusses a blended learning approach for a teacher training program designed for in-service English language teachers, and investigates its effectiveness by comparing with a face to face MA Program in English Language teaching. The research involved 39 in-service English language teachers, with 12 studying in a blended course (i.e., they received face to face instruction in the classroom and used web-based materials) and 27 in a traditional classroom. Results indicated that there was no difference in content knowledge acquisition between teachers receiving blended instruction and teachers receiving face to face instruction.</span>


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.


2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Land ◽  
Michele M. Dornisch

Recent interest in computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) has prompted educators to incorporate communication tools into their courses. This article reports findings of students' use of two Web-based discussion forums across two semesters to supplement face-to- face instruction. By tracking the discussions, we discovered that when students initiated reflection and integration of perspectives, they did so through concessions and oppositions to the postings of their peers. Findings point to the importance of explicit scaffolding of conversations to encourage student sharing and evaluation of perspectives.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prisla Devi Krishnan ◽  
Melor Md Yunus

Emphasis on English language proficiency and digital literacy among Malaysian students in schools have been given utmost priority in the Malaysian Education Transformation (2013 – 2025). With the introduction of Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), (Council of Europe, 2001) the emphasize for low proficient students to acquire vocabulary knowledge is crucial for them to move progressively into the next band as stated in the CEFR global scales. Yet, concerns arises as how the implementation of (CEFR) will impact the low proficient students with almost none to limited vocabulary acquisition. This poses an extremely high risk of these students being left far behind as English is a second language to most students. Thus, the aim of this study is to use blended learning to expand the vocabulary acquisition among low proficient students and enable them to move progressively in the CEFR band. The mixed method study employed questionnaires, face to face interviews, pre and post test and observations to collect data from 20 low proficient students aged 14 from a semi urban secondary school. Data collected were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The study found that using blended learning not only enhances low proficient students vocabulary count in CEFR English but it also promotes autonomous learning and understanding of sentence structures. Hence, the use of blended learning proves to be a crucial alternative for low proficient students to enhance their vocabulary knowledge and understanding of sentence structures through digital literacy that is capable of motivating and challenging them to achieve their highest potential.


F1000Research ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 898
Author(s):  
Roslyn Gleadow ◽  
Barbara Macfarlan

Making material available through learning management systems is standard practice in most universities, but this is generally seen as an adjunct to the ‘real’ teaching, that takes place in face-to-face classes. Lecture attendance is poor, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to engage students, both in the material being taught and campus life. This paper describes the redevelopment of a large course in scientific practice and communication that is compulsory for all science students studying at our Melbourne and Malaysian campuses, or by distance education. Working with an educational designer, a blended learning methodology was developed, converting the environment provided by the learning management system into a teaching space, rather than a filing system. To ensure focus, topics are clustered into themes with a ‘question of the week’, a pre-class stimulus and follow up activities. The content of the course did not change, but by restructuring the delivery using educationally relevant design techniques, the content was contextualised resulting in an integrated learning experience. Students are more engaged intellectually, and lecture attendance has improved. The approach we describe here is a simple and effective approach to bringing this university’s teaching and learning into the 21st century.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Kartikasari Tandy Rerung

<p>Nowadays, the communicative teaching has been influenced by the development of technology. Becoming interactive teacher would not be enough if it is not supported by technology usage. Online learning in this case has been a powerful tool to help language learners during their learning progress.  It is said that that online instruction raised the good and average student’s reading performance and the performance of the lowest-performing as well. In listening and speaking, online learning can help students improve their pronunciaton as well the comprehension skill. Therefore, the following study is designed to find out the students’ perceptions towards the use of both online and face-to-face learning in listening and speaking classroom. There are 30 students from the 1<sup>st</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> semester of English Language and Culture Departement and they joined the class for 1 semester. Online learning platform used was taken from Cambridge Learning Management System integrated with Unlock 2 and Unlock 4 books as the source of learning. The result shows that most of the students see online learning as an alternative tool to help them during their learning process.<strong></strong></p><strong>Keywords: </strong>blended learning, online learning, face-to-face learning, language learning


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-26
Author(s):  
Ahmad Ridho Rojabi ◽  

Online learning that is integrated into face-to-face learning called blended learning is believed to be more useful than online learning or face-to-face learning. Schoology is one of the online learning platforms exploited in blended learning that can help teachers to manage classroom information. Schoology allows students and teachers to share information and provides access to content or administrative features of specific courses. This study aims to investigate students' perceptions of blended learning via Schoology in reading class. This is a descriptive study, the participants of this study consisted of 28- second-semester students at the English Language Study Program, Faculty of Tarbiyah, and teacher training IAIN Jember, East Java Indonesia. The Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. The findings of this study revealed that there were positive perceptions of blended learning via Schoology in the reading comprehension class as well as the positive learners’ attitude. Furthermore, the students agreed that Schoology in blended learning in the reading comprehension class is useful, helpful, and effective. Moreover, from the results of the interviews, there were positive aspects of blended learning via Schoology in reading comprehension which gave more benefits to engage and motivate students’ learning activities, students’ performances, learners’ autonomy, as well as students’ learning outcomes.


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