Hybrid/blended learning affords students the opportunity to engage with peers and the instructor face to face while also maintaining a level of convenience. I would have to say that with my experience teaching online, you lose out on the warm interaction you get face to face; forming that bond. It is hard to feel like there is a human being behind the computer screen you sit in front of.
Allowing students to see their instructors on occasion while also directing their own learning online optimizes the learning experience.
Martha,
Great points! I agree - in addition to the flexibility, this approach extends the learning environment and provides individual learning spaces for each student within the group learning community of the class.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Blended learning allows students the flexibility to structure the online portion of their class around their day to day life as opposed to structuring their life around their class.
Students can pace themselves in the online portion of the class.
Blended learning provides opportunities to reinforce material covered in class and extend the learning opportunities beyond the 4 walls of a classroom.
Blended learning, also, offers opportunities for all students to contribute. Some students might not contribute in a ground class but, instead, open up in an online environment.
I find that the blended classes provide the opportunity to cover more material than would be possible in a ground class.
Blended learning offers a way for students to interact with one another and access links, archived chats and other information 24/7. This access provides students with flexibility to do things that would not be possible if there was a need to meet course requirements in a structured classroom setting.
Tammy,
Creativity and innovation are central skills that are key in using new technology. Prescriptive ideas are being challenged continually and new knowledge is emerging - this is wonderful!
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I find that the students are creative when given the chance. I give very general guidelines and then I am amazed at how creative they can be. Students have expressed that they enjoy the freedom to complete the assignments on their time and have the freedom to be creative.
James,
Yes as well as the potential of maximizing student engagement in the learning process.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
the possibilities have far reaches for the student to be able to learn at there own pace outside of the classroom as wall as inside the classroom.
James,
Good points - so the instructor must also design the instruction to suit those varied needs.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
It has been my experience that people learn and retain information in different ways. While some students may retain more from class discussion, others will learn more by reading about the topic on thier own onilne. The blended learning helps to bring this all together and allow students to learn in thier own way while not having to feel left out because thier style of learning is not being used.
Juan,
Good points! There are many benefits to hybrid delivery in terms of technology use and communication. It also suits more learning types because it supports various inputs and outputs of content and application.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Hybrid and/or blended learning offers students the opportunity to become more familiar with technology as well as varying forms of communication with their instructor and fellow students. It can also help remove the fear that some students may have with technology/computers.
Norman,
Yes, good points - and the diverse modes of delivery and interaction increase learner engagement.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Blended learning gives the student the opportunity to engaqe in learning. They can determine and fulfill their needs by interaction with technology, other students, and the instructor. The student has more control of the learning environment.
Kathy,
Flexibility in both delivery and mediation are both central benefits to this mode of instruction. Flexbility in time and space and flexibility in content delivery, interaction and application.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I think that flexibility is one of the most important features that hybrid learning has to offer. In the current economy many students do not have options with the schedule that they work. In the highly competitive market of adult education flexible scheduling is essential.
Thomas,
Good point, Thomas. This is central to good instructional design as well - integrating technology use with coursework and application. That way, the skills will be learned within a relevant context and, therefore, understood more readily.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Absolutely correct. I beleieve that the number reason for such a high rate of attrition with online classes is that students are not familiar with the online environment. They already have concerns and stress about the subjsect matter, when you add the learning curve they need to work online,it may cuase them to drop the class.
teaching them to work within the environment while using the class itself as a guide will help reatain the student.
Shaunda ,
Yes, the various inputs make the learning process more inclusive for more students. Also, the technology provides various outputs as well and instructors must take advantage of that reality to implement holistic assessment opportunities, utilizing this capability for diversity.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
We all learn in so many different ways that when a student is able to utiliize a variety of tools, the sudent wins. Hybrid learning provides the student with the opportunity to not only see it, read it, hear it and do it, it allows them to connect directly with an instructor if there is no absorbtion of the online techniques. Additionally, the connection between student and instructor allows for a more permanent bond provding opportunities for future connections in the work world.
