I must agree with you.The more ways we can find to use to teach the better they will learn.
Great point, Claudia. What can this delivery option do to benefit the learning process in addition to the flexibility? How can the combination of f2f with others and the online self-directed environment provide the needed blended methodology?
Our goal is to better accommodate our existing students, and possibly tap into additional markets. That being said, the flexibility this offers while still being able to actually "see" students" is a win-win situation.
Good points, Michelle. Yes, encouraging learner autonomy is a huge benefit of blended and online learning. This can happen much faster in these environments than in conventional F2F classes.
The biggest impact that hybrid classes have for my students is the ability to have instructor guided “real-world†experiences. Almost all of the courses I teach have lab components and by teaching hybrid courses, we can do much more lab work than what we would be able to do if the class was offered traditionally. Another benefit that I see with students is that completing some of the class work online makes them much better time managers! What I like is that there is one place to hold all of the course information and students can access it when necessary. They don’t necessarily have to hunt me down during my office hours to get a copy of an assignment. Plus, I can post multiple forms of information to reach multiple learning styles!
Excellent points, Lawrence. I like point two -often the most quiet students can become highly participatory in a blended context.
In addition to retaining the face-to-face sessions with students, the other opportunities that hybrid or blended learning offers students are as follows:
1) Allows students the opportunity to immediately get feedback to their questions.
2) The student can overcome the sense of loneliness that online learners frequently experience and have a better chance/opportunity for peer support.
3) Gives students the chance to conduct group presentations for term projects in front of their peers.
Yes, Carissa, so it provides various opportunities for mediation and follow up. Good points.
I think another great positive is that although the class lecture time is a specific length and a student may not have the opportunity to ask all of the questions if they have many, they can ask later.
This also helps if a student takes time to process the lecture presented and develops a question after class but needs an answer before the next class. They can present it online and get an answer before any assignments are due or in time to study for an upcoming test.
Yes, Carissa, it changes the dynamics of the process completely and often those who may not speak out in a class group, will do so online. How else do you find this technology changes the dynamics of the learning process, Carissa?
I found it interesting that it could bring students out of their shells. In class, they may not have much to say, if at all. This is especially true with ESL students. Online, the student can take time to present their thoughts. They are familiar with the online method of communication so that may be easier for them.
Good points, Sheila. The varied inputs can provide the options required by various learning styles.
Hybrid learning can help offer material to students with a wide range of learning styles. For some students, just reading and typing doesn't facilitate learning as much as watching, listening and even having the opportunity to video chat perhaps and get their ideas exchanged in the best way possible for them.
Great observations, Andre.
Good application, Faysha.
in addition to the educational outcomes, Hybrid learning offer the opportunity to for students to experience dictance collaboration that may become applicable in their respectiv careers. As a business instructor I express to the students how the globalization of business changes the way in which we communicaste and they can benefit from the use of distance learning environments to be knowledgable of how such global collaborations may work.
I am currently part of a curriculum team creating blended learning for our school. One great benefit I have noticed is that it allows us to teach basic or refresher material on-line. This allows those who need more time to get caught-up the time to do so at their location without holding up the rest of class. If we can teach the easily recieved subjects on-line then the time we have in class togethre becomes more productive as I can spend more time on the difficult materials.
Great point, Kim. It can also provide the first steps for faculty in using online tools for instruction. Mostly, it increases the potential for engagement and interactivity.
I have found that our blended learning courses allow students that are fearful of taking online classes, a safe place to begin to experience the online environment.Many of our students are scared of online because they do not know what to expect. The blended class allows them to take online at their own pace and then decided if they have what it takes to do full online classes or if they are better learners in the classroom which is more structured.
So, Jessie, how can teachers still teach the face-to-face skills while still using the new technology tools?
