Blended Learning: The Perfect Balance for Today’s Classroom

Blended learning is an educational model that combines online and face-to-face instruction, allowing students to access learning materials at their own pace and interact with their teachers and peers in different ways. Blended learning is not a new concept, but it has gained popularity and relevance in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many schools and universities to shift to online learning.

But what are the benefits of blended learning for teachers and students? How can it enhance the quality and effectiveness of education in today’s classroom? And what are some of the challenges and best practices of implementing blended learning? In this article, we will explore these questions and more, using facts and insights from various sources.

What is blended learning?

According to Wikipedia, blended learning or hybrid learning, also known as technology-mediated instruction, web-enhanced instruction, or mixed-mode instruction, is an approach to education that combines online educational materials and opportunities for interaction online with physical place-based classroom methods. 

Blended learning requires the physical presence of both teacher and student, with some elements of student control over time, place, path, or pace1 While students still attend brick-and-mortar schools with a teacher present, face-to-face classroom practices are combined with computer-mediated activities regarding content and delivery. It is also used in professional development and training settings

Blended learning can take different forms depending on the context, goals, and resources of each educational setting. Some common models of blended learning are:

• Flipped classroom: Students learn the core content online before class, and then use the class time for discussion, practice, or project-based learning.
• Station rotation: Students rotate through different stations or activities within the classroom, one of which is an online learning station.
• Lab rotation: Similar to station rotation, but the online learning station is located in a separate computer lab or media center.
• Individual rotation: Students follow an individualized schedule that determines when they engage in online or face-to-face learning activities.
• Flex: Students complete most of their coursework online, with teachers providing support and guidance as needed.
• Enriched virtual: Students attend a few face-to-face sessions per week or month, and complete the rest of their work online.

What are the benefits of blended learning?

When done effectively, blended learning can have multiple benefits for both students and teachers. Here’s a look:

For Teachers:

• Additional educational tools: Blended learning supports new ways of instruction. By utilizing the online element, teachers have more learning tools to work with such as gamification, video, and interactive apps. This allows for new ways to engage and motivate their students.
• Personalized support: A blended learning model allows teachers to mix and match educational tools and course content according to the needs of their classroom. They can design lessons so that students learn some of the content independently online and then follow up with face-to-face discussions in the classroom.
• More efficient grading: Online evaluations help teachers more accurately assess and track a student’s mastery of the material when compared to traditional grading methods. For example, when students take a quiz online, the teacher is able to get immediate results and the student is able to get immediate feedback. This not only saves time for teachers, but it also helps them identify students who are struggling with the material in real time.

For Students:

• Increased engagement: Blended learning courses have proven to be more engaging for students of all ages—from elementary school to higher education. In fact, a study by the Center for Digital Education found 73% of educators who utilize this model saw an increase in student engagement
• More student centric: Blended learning is student-centered by design. By incorporating the online learning element, students have more flexibility in when, how, and where they receive instruction. Students can access learning materials at their own pace and take time to reinforce what they learned in the classroom. Unlike traditional teaching methods, a blended model puts the student in control of their own learning experience.
• Improved outcomes: Blended learning can also improve student outcomes by providing more opportunities for feedback, collaboration, and differentiation. A meta-analysis of evidence-based research studies around blended learning found that student achievement was higher in blended learning experiences when compared to either fully online or fully face-to-face learning experiences.

What are the challenges of blended learning?

Blended learning is not without its challenges. Some of the common obstacles that teachers and students may face when implementing blended learning are:

• Lack of access: Not all students have equal access to technology devices or reliable internet connection at home or school. This can create a digital divide that affects their ability to participate in online learning activities or access online resources.
• Lack of training: Teachers may not have the necessary skills or confidence to use online learning tools effectively or to design engaging and meaningful blended learning experiences. They may also need more support and guidance from their administrators or peers to adopt blended learning in their classrooms.
• Lack of motivation: Students may not be motivated to engage in online learning activities or to take responsibility for their own learning. They may also face distractions or challenges in managing their time and workload when learning online.
• Lack of communication: Blended learning can create communication gaps between teachers and students, or among students themselves, especially when they are not physically present in the same space. This can affect the quality of feedback, collaboration, and social interaction that are essential for learning.

How to implement blended learning effectively?

Blended learning can be a powerful and innovative way to enhance education in today’s classroom, but it requires careful planning, execution, and evaluation. Here are some tips for approaching blended learning as a teacher or student:

For Teachers:

• Define your goals and outcomes: Before you start designing your blended learning course, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how you will measure it. What are the learning objectives and standards that you want your students to master? How will you align your online and face-to-face activities to support those objectives? How will you assess your students’ progress and performance?
• Choose your tools and platforms: There are many online learning tools and platforms available for blended learning, but you need to choose the ones that best suit your needs and preferences. Consider factors such as cost, accessibility, usability, functionality, compatibility, and security. You also need to make sure that your students have access to the same tools and platforms that you use.
• Create engaging and meaningful content: Blended learning is not just about adding online elements to your existing course, but about creating a coherent and integrated learning experience that leverages the strengths of both online and face-to-face instruction. You need to create content that is relevant, interactive, and aligned with your goals and outcomes. You also need to provide clear instructions, expectations, and feedback for your students.
• Foster collaboration and communication: Blended learning can enhance collaboration and communication among teachers and students, but it also requires more effort and intentionality. You need to create opportunities for your students to interact with you and with each other online and offline. You also need to establish clear channels of communication and norms of behavior for your online interactions.
• Evaluate and improve: Blended learning is an ongoing process that requires constant monitoring and improvement. You need to collect data and feedback from your students and yourself on how the blended learning course is working. You also need to reflect on your own practice and identify areas of strength and weakness. You then need to use this information to make adjustments and improvements to your blended learning course.

For Students:

• Create a consistent learning schedule: When you’re at home, it’s easy to sleep in, lounge around, and not get a good start on the day. But when you’re taking a blended learning course, you need to have a regular routine that helps you stay focused and productive. Set a specific time for when you will work on your online assignments, watch lectures, or participate in discussions. Stick to this schedule as much as possible.
• Have a study space: Set yourself up for success by creating a designated work station that will allow you to charge your devices, access the internet, store your materials, and avoid distractions. Make sure this space is comfortable, well-lit, and quiet. If possible, avoid working in places where you might be tempted to watch TV, play games, or nap.
• Set realistic goals: Blended learning can give you more flexibility and autonomy in your learning, but it also requires more self-discipline and motivation. To help you stay on track, set realistic and specific goals for yourself. For example, instead of saying “I will finish my project by Friday”, say “I will complete the research phase by Monday, the outline by Wednesday, and the draft by Friday”. Break down your tasks into manageable chunks and reward yourself for completing them.
• Seek help when needed: Blended learning does not mean that you are alone in your learning journey. You still have access to your teachers and peers who can support you when you encounter difficulties or have questions. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them via email, chat, video call, or face-to-face meeting. You can also use online resources such as tutorials, forums, or blogs to find answers or solutions.
• Enjoy the experience: Blended learning can be a fun and rewarding way to learn new things and develop new skills. It can also help you prepare for the future where online learning will be more common and essential. So enjoy the experience of blending online and face-to-face instruction, explore different ways of learning, and discover what works best for you.

Final thoughts

Blended learning is an educational model that has the potential to transform education in today’s classroom. By combining online and face-to-face instruction, blended learning can offer more flexibility, engagement, and personalization for both teachers and students. However, blended learning also requires careful planning, execution, and evaluation to ensure its effectiveness and quality. By following the tips and best practices outlined in this article, you can make the most of blended learning and enjoy its benefits.