BLENDED LEARNING, (The future of online education in both basic and higher education institutions)

Universities have long been wrestling with the internet. On the one hand it represents a huge opportunity, in the shape of an enormous resource and new methods of delivery on the other it represents a huge threat, in the shape of an enormous resource and new methods of delivery. According to Morisson, (2016) online courses are nothing new, but the idea of delivering them to students who are physically present in the university is unusual. It means that all students at Imperial will have access to business education, which is something they want and gives them an enormous flexibility,” he adds.

In my experience as an Online Lecturer and a student for ONL 181 I learned that blended learning is a natural development to the growing accessibility of e-Learning, online resources and the continued need for a human component in the learning experience. Giarla (2018) state that a blended learning approach ensures that the learner is engaged and driving his or her individual learning experience. This approach also helps cater to the individual needs of the learner, most students have unique learning styles and a blended approach is more likely to cater to those needs than a traditional classroom teaching experience.

ADVANTAGES OF BLENDED LEARNING AS COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL LEARNING.

It is without doubt that our children and their generations are already and will continue to grow up in a world that’s a stark reminder of how rapidly the human civilization has changed a society and world where smartphones and tablets are widespread, affordable, and replacing most computers and laptops. When students learn through a digital and online media, in addition to traditional methods, such as face-to-face classroom instruction, they are able to learn to experience personalized learning.

Bright, (2015) states that online learning gives students another opportunity to engage with the material. To use this blended learning tactic effectively, require students to complete assignments, presentations, or tests before moving on to the remaining portion of the course. Bright, (2015) further stated that although it can be time-consuming to evaluate every student in a face-to-face classroom print the tests, grade each individually by hand, and the process goes on. Instead, create evaluations online, to make the deployment, grading and tracking process simpler. Many LMS systems, for example, will automatically grade the tests for you, based on the answers you input, and record scores in the student gradebook.

CONCLUSION

Not only will Universities save money, but they will also save time. One of the greatest benefits of online learning, especially through an LMS, is data tracking and reporting. LMSs have the ability to track each step the student takes throughout the course, including logins, time tracking and grading.

LIST OF REFERENCES

Bright, S. (2015) Benefits of teaching in a blended learning classroom. EDTECH.  Available from http://blog.whooosreading.org/10-benefits-of-teaching-in-a-blended-learning-classroom/. Accessed on 26 November 2018

Giarla A. (2018). Benefits of blended learning. student motivation in a blended clasroom. Teachthought. Available from https://www.teachthought.com/technology/the-benefits-of-blended-learning/ Accessed on 24 November 2018.

Morisson, N. (2016) The impact of blended learning on a classroom,  transform today’s classrooms, and explores how students and staff benefit as a result. Journal. Forbes pp 03-07. Available on https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickmorrison/2016/01/29/blended-learning-the-future-of-higher-education/#7acdfff3a2c7. Accessed on November 27 2018.