Blended learning can be fantastic for teachers and students alike and can help you increase the size of the teaching process while enhancing outcomes in teaching and learning.

In this piece will explain what blended learning is including some examples and various blended learning strategies you could integrate into your daily routines.

((toc))

What exactly is blended learning?

Blended learning is an approach of teaching which blends lessons in person with an additional element of e-learning. This could be through online discussions and Asynchronous or extrasynchronous classes or any other tasks that are project-based. Blended learning is a way to combine the advantages from traditional education, including the enthusiasm and energy of live classes along with the flexibility and accessibility offered by online learning.

Through its long history in the past, the term "Blended learning" is employed to refer to 1. Combining delivery media, 2. Combining instructional methods as well as 3. mixing online and in-person instruction, but nowadays most of us will employ this term to define a mix of in-person and online instruction.1

Even in the traditional classroom the use of blended learning is now more commonplace rather than a singular feature. An analysis carried out by UK universities found that 69% were planning to implement blended learning. Additionally 82% of them said that they have seen an increase in the need to incorporate blended learning. In 2021 (during the epidemic) 60% of US college students completed at least one course online. It is expected that online education will be $257.7 billion dollars in 2027.

Though we may associate the rise in learning online with the spreading of AIDS as well, schools and universities have been promoting the use of learning online over the years, particularly supplementary education in online forums and projects. The process has been simplified by edtech tools and online learning programs like Blackboard as well as Canvas.

Access to online learning has become so widespread that in 2023, students at the University of California decided to end a gap in its curriculum. The program offered so many classes available from online providers which students were able to earn an online diploma for lower cost (they introduced the requirement of residency).

This isn't just for high school or for the level K-12. It is a great tool in any form of education offered, including corporate training or launching an online business blended learning could be utilized to mix the most efficient live learning (the participation, the subject flexibility, and the discussions) with the best on-line learning (the accessibility ).

Blended learning can refer to:

• Blending of activity levels: when the same learning activity takes both online and in-person.
  
• Blending in the course: when a course includes both online and in-person materials.
  
• Blending on the level of a program: It happens through a study program but not within certain courses or in particular activities.
  

1. Read the discussion of chapter 1 in Curtis J. Bonk and Charles R. Graham, The Handbook of Blended Learning Global Perspectives, Regional Designs (John Wiley & Sons 2005).

Here are a few blended-learning numbers

• 83% of university students prefer online learning as more convenient ( Erudera ).
  
• Eighty-two per cent of all college and university students wish at most a part of their education to be conducted online (and 41% of them would like to complete their studies completely online) ( UNESCO ).
  
• A survey of new college students in 2022 found that 27% of them preferred blended learning and 29% liked learning completely online. This is a decrease from the pandemic rate, however still notable ( New America ).
  
• It is estimated that there are 2.79 million U.S. post-secondary students doing their degree online ( NCES ).
  
• Between between 2019 and 2020, the pandemic triggered post-secondary online learning to jump between 37 to 74%. .
  

Systems of blended learning

The possibility of blended learning has been made possible thanks to the rapid growth of platforms for blended learning as well as the requirements of technology to allow online teaching at a large scale. Blended learning systems are constantly changing and evolving with new features being added all the time.

Like, for instance Mighty Co-Host(tm) is able to create outline of courses using AI. This technology will continue to develop and adapt blended learning in line with technology evolves.

     Start your free trial

Blended learning and hybrid Learning: What's the distinction?

The phrases "blended learning" and "hybrid learning" often describe the same thing. But, often "hybrid" means a mixture of in-person and remote learners within the same classroom (sort as we define an event which is a hybrid event)--while blended learning typically refers to the combination of online and in-person learning to each student.

Advantages in blended learning

There are numerous benefits of online learning, and the best way to define them is that it gives you all the benefits of both! Since both online and in-person learning may have positive advantages, blended learning lets students to get the value from each method and minimize the negatives.

That balance is the ideal balance for blended learning. As an example, online learning can be a lonely experience. However, blended learning allows students to interact with peers occasionally, and even meet new people!

A New America survey for blended education within community colleges showed that among one of the main reasons that students preferred mixed learning were the possibility of establishing an individual schedule, the possibility to be a part of an entire group, and having a feeling of a higher quality education, and less time spent on commutes as well as a desire to leave the comfort of their own homes.

Benefits of blended learning-associated with learning in-person

• The versatility of online learning allows learners learn from the comfort of their home in addition to synchronous online learning that is able to be completed at the student's own convenience. This can make learning possible to those with commitments to manage (e.g. parents who have a job currently ).
  
• Accessibility Blended learning may be more suitable for various types of education, as it allows learners to move at their own pace.
  
• Green: There's no requirement for classrooms (or heat or cooling, or electricity). Online learning is sustainable and cost-effective.
  
• Ability to scale The ability to scale: Blended learning even offers the potential to scale. For instance, if you taught 3 beginning classes, you could join them together to form one discussion group.
  
• Easier than ever: Tech for online learning is always getting better and accessible.
  

The benefits of blended learning are connected to a one-to-one experience

• Active: Students who struggle to concentrate online and struggle to concentrate, live learning may assist in boosting their concentration.
  
• Connecting: Students who meet in class can create significant connections and friendships.
  
• flexibility: In-class learning offers the flexibility of a different kind. The teacher can adapt the class discussion and the content they share with students.
  

Example of blended learning

• A professor at college can add an obligatory virtual element to their curriculum by, for instance, interfacing with students via chat rooms and creating blog posts on the study and work on an asynchronous project for the students.
  
• Walmart provides the The One Global Walmart Academy that offers live and virtual learning opportunities to the company's 2.3 millions of employees.
  
• Amazon has constructed classrooms in the fulfillment centers of their company to instruct employees how to use skills that are relevant to the work they do within Amazon and those not. They also provide upskilling opportunities for jobs very sought after.
  
• Numerous executive MBA programmes combine live and virtual training to help with the student's busy schedules. Many work full-time as they complete their MBAs.
  
• The U.S. Government's Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy assists in the training of federal employees through a combination of live and virtual education.
  
• HTML0 is the University of Phoenix is famous for its online courses but students also have the option to enroll in classes in person. This is an online degree that can be blended.
  

Blended E-learning

A different option to learn blended, and that's blended learning via e-learning. Instead of combining in-person and online learning, blended education incorporates components of synchronous and asynchronous learning on a virtual platform.

For instance it's possible to create an online class feasible through online Live chats, events and forum discussions that are live. You could also present a class live using the livestreaming feature, however recordings are later available and asynchronous discussion board.

As with mixed learning e-learning brings the benefits from a classroom in person to online learning. It is possible to benefit from the excitement generated by live streaming sessions, in addition to the discussion and conversations that happen live and the ability to answer students' questions.

The difference is, the entire thing happens on an internet-based platform. This gives you full access and all the flexibility all in.

     Start Free Trial Free Trial

Blended Learning strategies

1. Consider a classroom that is flipped.

A common method of blended learning is called a flipped classroom. This model lets students participate in classes or study at home the classroom can concentrate on discussions or active participation.

It's not easy to achieve in K-12 schools, However, it's doable (younger pupils often need parental support). This method is often used in higher education and it has lots in similarity to the "tutorial" method of teaching which has been used for a long time (it's the basis for the Oxbridge model). ).

2. Let the learning goals guide you.

Learning through blended learning must be guided by factors which help you get closer to your goals for learning best. While it might sound like common sense however, you could take all the benefits of live and online learning in order to achieve various goals for learning. A classroom that is flippable is an excellent example.

3. Be sure to select the appropriate method of operation

The software you choose to facilitate blended learning likely to decide the efficacy of your program. Naturally, the features that you're seeking in a blended learning system should be strong and functional. It should function well and be easy for students to utilize and use.

Here are some tips:

• Do not use complicated technology stacks. Choose options that let users to integrate the blended learning features you desire without mixing and matching programs, which can cause more issues.
  
• Make contact with IT. In the event that your institution has an IT department, make sure they have current options.
  
• Consider interoperability if you have to made sure that the blended learning technology you use can be used with available tools to manage and learn.
  

     Try it for free!

4. Make the online count

One of the fastest methods for blended learning that can go wrong is to place all the emphasis on live sessions, while making online participation mandatory. Online component of blended learning must not feel like an add-on or a last-minute addition. Be sure to make it count, and give real learning objectives for participation on the internet.

A particular discussion space is an ideal method for encouraging low participation. It is possible to incorporate 10 reflections on discussion and 10 comments to the reflections of others into your curriculum (e.g. that each one is worth 1% and contributes to 20 percent of your final grade). If you incorporate skin into the blended learning game, it increases the chance that it will be successful.

5. Don't replicate the traditional classroom online

Blended learning provides a endless range of opportunities for learning. The idea of replicating the actions and activities in an actual classroom in the virtual environment may seem as a waste of your time.

For example, a lecture can be a good idea.

• However, what if pupils and teachers view the same film while conversing online?
  
• Or applying the notion to popular films?
  
• You can also play an online video game that matches the theme of your courses?
  
• Perhaps they can create their own blog or website?
  
• Sharing on social media on the subject in your class?
  

The sky's the limit. Be creative in your use of the web to develop designs.

6. Do not create synchronous and Asynchronous the division

The common perception is that all classes have to be synchronous and online is not synchronous. However, it's not true. Activities online can be synchronous via live videos, chats or other. Interactions in person don't have to be to be simultaneous.

If you're trying decide which of the synchronous and synchronous options for leadership, this chart can help you determining the kinds of learners each serves best:

7. Orient the students

Instead of having students slapped who are in blended learning classes you can hold a class in the classroom (even in the computer lab if you have access to) to guide them through getting started in the online aspect of the class. Utilize this time to teach them how to sign up for the system that allows blended learning. Also, show them how to utilize different tools, and perhaps even do the assignment with them.

The platform is more familiar to users, which increases the chance of students reaping most benefit from the platform. Technical issues are among major barriers to blended learning.

8. Read your data

Because blended learning is based through software it gives you the chance to engage with the data. The data you collect can give you a better understanding of what is working and not in your implementation of blended learning.

Check the information frequently.

9. Connect to a group of practice

Making the transition to blended learning in any form can be challenging to learn for the first time. Look for communities of practice which you can share and gain insights from those who use blended learning successfully.

Blended platforms to learn

1.

It is a community-based as well as a courses platform that is loaded with the most powerful tools for hosting discussion forums, livestreaming or live events, as well as synchronous and asynchronous classes.

Blended learning platforms, it is a shining shine in the area of brand-related and corporate learning, with possibilities for branding applications making use of Mighty Pro. And for those running an online course or training business, it gives you everything you need for monetization-building packages, managing checkouts, and charging in 135 different currencies.

2. Moodle

Moodle can be defined as an educational management system for learning which offers a variety of content options along with a great set of collaboration tools for students during learning. Examples include forums for discussion, collaborations, as well as messaging.

3. Canvas By Instructure

Canvas could be utilized as an educational centre, and features a powerful LMS, powerful engagement tools, sturdy mobile apps (better than Moodle) as well as Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) integration alongside an institution's system of IT.

4. Blackboard Learn

One of the more common institutions LMS choices that comes with a variety of assignment and grading options as well as a number of excellent collaborative tools (like the discussion board as well as live meeting capabilities). It is simple to utilize for administrators and students.

Conclusion

Blended learning can be an uphill task if it's your first experience. If done correctly it will provide amazing opportunities for learning and enhance the quality of your teaching. I hope that this guide will get you excited about trying blended learning, and you are prepared to bring online learning to life!

If you'd like to play with Mighty's blended learning platform try it out for free for 14 days with no credit card required.

Article was posted on here