Blended LearningA presentation on Educational Delivery Modality

By Noble Ahiaklo-Kuz MPhil Art Education

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana

What is Blended Learning?IntroductionBlended learning, according to Friesen (2012), is a formal education program in which a student learns at least in part through delivery of content and instruction via digital and online media with some element of student control over time, place, path, or pace.

The concept of blended learning has been around for a long time, but its terminology was not firmly established until about the start of 21st century

Currently, use of the term blended learning mostly involves "combining Internet and digital media with established classroom forms that require the physical co-presence of teacher and students. (Friesen, 2012)

What is Blended Learning?Introduction cont’d

Blended learning is learning that is facilitated by the effective combination of different modes of delivery, models of teaching and learning styles & applying them in an interactively meaningful learning environment (Gonzales & Vodicka, 2012).

Blended Learning!Introduction cont’d

What is Blended Learning?What goes into the blender?

Classroom Training | Web-based Training | Webinars |

CD-ROM Courses | Video | EPSS Systems | Simulations |

Mobile Learning and much more

What is Blended Learning?What goes into the blender?

There is no fixed formula or models in Blended

learning. It depends on analysis of the learners’

requirements, their level of understanding,

competencies at stake, the nature & location

of the audience & resources available

What is Blended Learning?Introduction cont’d

“Blended instruction combines the best of empowering technology and human touch so we can help each student learn more than ever before.”

– Alex Hernandez, partner at the Charter School Growth Fund

What is Blended Learning?How does it work?

Why go for Blended Learning!Benefits to Educators• Increased success • Different modalities to meet more student needs• Costs and savings, optimizing resources, scale, speed &

throughput Offers the flexibility to retain core competencies & balance demand - clients’ budgets and time availability.

• Frees teacher from the race with the bell• Lessons begin in class, continue online• Differentiation that meets the needs of individual

students• Extends the communication channels between home

and school

Why go for Blended Learning!Benefits to Learners

• Learning environment responds to each students needs and interests• Supports students beyond the school day with resources• Flexible scheduling• Control over pace• Variety of experiences• Personalized learning• Use of technology• Facilitate a simultaneous independent and collaborative learning

experience.

Blended Learning Models

• Rotation model

• Flex model

• Self-blend model

• Enriched-Virtual model

Blended Learning ModelsElement common to all models

•Group Work / Collaboration•Differentiation•Discussions•Community of Inquiry

Blended Learning ModelsDownsides

• Blended learning needs good technical resources or tools with for effective delivery and access to content.

• Lack of IT literacy skills can be a barrier to effective utilization of the modality, thus needing good technical support.

• Extra task for Instructor, with the creation of online content and correspondence

• Some students can easily lapse behind with digital and online content, in the absence of instructor’s supervision

Blended Learning!The Future

•Advances in technology will have an impact on emerging models of Blended Learning

•Any new technology has typically been co-opted and added to the blend

References

• Current Topics in Teaching & Learning with Technology. https://sites.psu.edu/wendymahan/blendedlearning/. Retrieved 2016-2-15

• Friesen, Norm (2012). "Report:Defining Blended Learning“

• Interactive Learning Centers Announces Name Change to EPIC Learning. (1999, March 5). The Free Library. (1999). Retrieved February 18, 2016 from http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Interactive+Learning+Centers+Announces+Name+Change+to+EPIC+Learning.-a054024665

• Lothridge, Karen; et al. (2013). "Blended learning: efficient, timely, and cost effective.". Journal for Forensic Sciences.

• Gonzales, Lisa; Vodicka, Devin (2012). Blended Learning: A Disruption that Has Found Its Time. Retrieved February 18, 2016 from http://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ989773