Blended
Learning: the need of the day
Introduction
Information and
communication technology (ICT) has become, one of the basic building blocks of
modern society. Many countries now regard understanding ICT and mastering the
basic skills and concepts of ICT as part of the core of education, alongside
reading, writing and numeracy. One of UNESCO’s overriding aims is to ensure
that all countries, both developed and developing, have access to the best
educational facilities necessary to prepare young people to play full roles in
modern society and to contribute to a knowledge nation. It should also maintain
the capacity to advise national governments on the use of technology in
schools.
In the past, even
learning was teacher-centered. Teachers tend to lecture and provide content
while students listen, take notes, and are assessed on the prescribed content.
School organization provides discrete time periods for each subject. With the
onset of ICT, teachers still largely dominate the learning environment.
Instructing may be supplemented with ICT such as electronic slide presentations
and word-processed handouts. Students receive instruction and add notes to
teacher prepared handouts.
They
use ICT tools to complete required lessons and are assessed on prescribed
content. The students’ access to technology is through one or two classroom
computers and computer labs. Until now, ICT has been taught as a separate
subject area. To move to the next phase, the school chooses to implement an
curriculum which combines various
methods of teaching namely, face to face learning, distance learning, video –
conferencing and e- learning.
The need for Blended Learning
The past decade marks
online learning as an increasingly important component of learning pedagogy.
Nowadays, Students do not depend entirely on the print books and face-to-face
classes conduct in a 40 minute period. When information and communication
technology skills are user friendly, student learning occurs through collaboration
and resource sharing with the access to the Internet. The spread of the
Internet has greatly increased the quality of the classroom resources.
This
evolution was initiated by a small number of teachers who are seeking new ways
to extend learning beyond the walls of the school. They are adamant to provide
enriching content, thus breaking the confinement of the school campus.
Educational Institutions all over the world, are turning to blended learning to
cater to the constructive learning of the students.
New
technologies formed by combining e-learning and distance learning are brought
into the class room. It initiates learning opportunities outside the class room.
It breaks the monotony in the class room and gives room for interaction.
Researches prove that Blended Learning can produce effective learning and
overcome the shortcomings of any single mode of teaching and learning.
What is blended learning?
Blended Learning is
learning which combines face-to-face sessions with learning opportunities
created online.
According to Dziuban,
Hartman and Moskal (2004), “Blended learning should be viewed as a pedagogical
approach that combines the effectiveness and socialization opportunities of the
classroom with the technologically enhanced active learning possibilities of
the online environment, rather than a ratio of delivery modalities.
Blended Learning is
multiple learning and guiding methods, where the face – to – face classes
include on-line teaching modules also. ICT concentrates on real differentiation
in content and learning methods. The Virtual class rooms and chat rooms provide
a lot of room for interaction unlike the traditional class room. Earlier, the
teacher used to take the teaching aids along with her to her class room. With
the onset of ICT, the teacher makes use of the Internet, online newspapers, web
casts, etc. Students learn to listen, read, write, speak and react to a
conversation using ICT as a result of Blended Learning. The students are open
to novel ideas.
Blended Learning is the
learning process which combines various methods of teaching namely, face to
face learning, distance learning, video – conferencing and e- learning. It is a
learner-centered pedagogy which aims at improving classroom utilization and
matches teaching to academic needs. It gives students access to new resources.
It is an opportunity for
faculty development and lets them experiment with new pedagogies and
techniques. It helps the teachers meet student expectations and build student
skills. It initiates the teachers
to explore new ways to impart quality education. It changes their personal
productivity and professional practice. The curriculum is structured so as to
merge subject areas to reflect real-world applications.
Students' access to
technology enables them to choose projects and ICT tools that stimulate
learning and demonstrate their knowledge across subject areas. School
organization provides the flexibility to combine subjects and time periods.
Learners have more choices with regard to learning styles and pathways. They
take more responsibility for their own learning and assessment. Students conduct research and make presentations
of their projects both in the classroom and online. The use of computers and
online learning in education requires a much larger shift in thinking than
simply adding a few computers to classrooms.
Blended learning
requires teachers who approach their role differently, as guides and mentors
instead of being purveyors of information. Classrooms must be redefined as
flexible learning environments, in which students learn in a variety of ways,
while communicating and collaborating with others who are outside their
school—and perhaps outside their country. It develops independent learning
skills.
Significance of Blended Learning
The
whole teaching – learning process has been revamped with the onset of blended
learning. it promotes divergent and didactic thinking. No teacher can give up
to date and complete information in his own subject. Blended Learning tries to
fill this gap of imparting knowledge to the intrinsic detail. It develops
understanding and application of concepts with varied illustrations and
examples. Teachers integrate their teaching along with the Internet or the
online chat.
They
know how to challenge and respond to students. They are prepared to facilitate
Internet discussions. Students and teachers share their views and get
clarification on any topic from experts. It provides opportunities for students
to learn from each other collaboratively,
Blended learning favours
information transmission, and a reorientation in their knowledge construction.
It provides variety in presentation content and initiates concentration and
long retention of the knowledge. It also develops the power of expression and
instills reasoning power. It develops the self-reliance of the students.
Students can master content faster and are better problem-solvers. They are
self-directed, and good decision makers.
A Critical Review of Blended Learning
Blended learning
solutions can be an appropriate approach to increasing access to higher
education in India. Blended learning is an integrated curriculum, which creates
opportunities for learning that are not found in a traditional, face to face
classroom model within a specific discipline. It is a balance between the face
to face and the online teaching. It promotes cognitive and meta- cognitive
skills. It enhances the self – reliance of the students.
It imparts scientific
and technological knowledge to the learners. It provides multiple accessibility
options to provide content delivery over TV, radio, Internet, and video
conference-based communications. It uses multiple methods for content
development and presentation, teacher student interaction, and e-assessment.
Blended learning is relatively cost effective, and can provide quality
education to distant students. Students understand better their learning
process, act on feedback, to become more effective and successful. On the
contrary, it requires teachers who are ICT literate and capable of adapting to
the recent developments in educational technology.
Conclusion:-
Blended learning is the strategy that combines online and classroom learning activities. It reduces the in-class seat time for students in a face-to-face environment. It is a tremendous boon for an institution. It helps the institution enhance under-enrolled programs, complete faculty teaching loads, and improve cost effectiveness. It helps meet student expectations and build student skills. It is a collaborative learning which extends the face to face learning, creates supportive learning networks, managed by learners at a time and place best suited to their needs.
Blended learning is the strategy that combines online and classroom learning activities. It reduces the in-class seat time for students in a face-to-face environment. It is a tremendous boon for an institution. It helps the institution enhance under-enrolled programs, complete faculty teaching loads, and improve cost effectiveness. It helps meet student expectations and build student skills. It is a collaborative learning which extends the face to face learning, creates supportive learning networks, managed by learners at a time and place best suited to their needs.
It
spurs the spontaneous interest of the students when compared to the traditional
modes of teaching. Students who use new technologies concentrate more than
students in traditional settings. The learner is given importance in relation
to learning. Various methods are used to ensure that the student has understood
that particular topic. The student is not considered as an empty vessel, rather
learning is integrated with that of the prior knowledge. Experience enables
individuals to build mental models, which in turn provide meaning and
organization. The pedagogy for blended learning should be initiated to provide
proficiency for teachers, so that they are empowered with the ICT skills.
References:
References:
- Nagarajan. K., & Srinivasan .R., Innovations in Education and Educational Technology, Ram Publishers, Chennai, 2006.
- Sekar Arul. J.M., & Thiyagu. K., Information and Communication technology in Education, Prophet Publishers, Tiruchirapalli, 2007.
- Sharma. A.R., Information and Communication Technology in teaching, Surya Publications, Meerut, 2008.
- http://www.edtechmag.com/k12/issues/march-april-2006/best-practices.html
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