What Is Blended Learning?

What Is Blended Learning?

Blended learning is a teaching approach that thoughtfully combines traditional, in-person instruction with online digital resources. This method, sometimes called hybrid learning, integrates technology with face-to-face classroom activities to create a more flexible and personalized learning experience. It allows students to engage with materials at their own pace while giving you more ways to support their individual needs.

Blended Learning Strategies and Activities

Blended learning strategies combine online educational materials with traditional, in-person classroom methods. This approach uses a variety of instructional techniques and technology to supplement face-to-face teaching.

This often involves a mix of activities, from self-paced online modules and recorded lectures to in-person group work and discussions. The specific combination of online and face-to-face activities can be adjusted to fit your course objectives and your students' needs.

Here are some common blended learning strategies and activities:

• Flipped Classroom: Students review lecture materials online before class, using in-person time for hands-on activities and discussion.
• Rotation Model: Students cycle through various learning stations, which can include online activities, group projects, and direct instruction with you.
• Flex Model: Students move through a personalized learning path using an online platform, while the teacher provides support and guidance as needed.
• Gamification: Game-like elements, such as points and levels, are incorporated into lessons to track progress and encourage participation.
• Online Lab: Coursework is completed digitally, often on a self-paced basis, to reinforce concepts from in-person lessons.
• Self-Blend: Students are given access to supplemental online resources like videos and articles to explore topics in greater detail.
• Recorded Lectures: In-person lessons are recorded and made available online for students to review at their own pace.
• Group Activities: Classroom time is used for collaborative work, allowing students to solve problems and discuss concepts together.
• Remote Guest Speakers: Experts join the class virtually through video conferencing, offering students access to different perspectives.
• Online Quizzes: Digital assessments are used to check for understanding and monitor student progress throughout a unit.

Blended Learning Benefits

Implementing a blended learning model involves combining digital tools with traditional face-to-face instruction. This approach can affect how you manage your classroom, how students access materials, and how resources are used throughout your school or district.

On a broad level, this instructional style provides more ways for students to access learning materials and can alter how you use class time. It also has implications for school budgets by potentially reducing costs associated with physical materials and instructor travel.

Here are some of the outcomes associated with blended learning:

• Reduced Costs: Expenses related to printed materials, travel, and accommodation for in-person training can be lowered.
• Increased Access: Students can access online materials at any time, which helps accommodate different schedules and learning environments.
• Flexible Pacing: Learners can move through online content at their own speed, revisiting materials as needed or testing out of topics they already know.
• Data Insights: Learning management systems can provide data on student progress, helping you identify areas where support is needed.
• Varied Activities: In-person class time can be repurposed for group activities, discussions, or hands-on practice to reinforce concepts.
• Wider Reach: Lessons and professional development can be delivered to a larger, more geographically dispersed group of learners.
• Personalized Paths: The model allows for the creation of individualized learning paths where students can focus on specific topics or skills.
• Instructor Time Management: Digital tools can reduce time spent on administrative tasks like photocopying, and online grading options can be used for assessments.
• Content Variety: You can incorporate multiple content formats like videos, PDFs, and interactive quizzes to suit different learning preferences.
• Accommodates Different Learners: The combination of online and in-person elements can cater to students who are comfortable in different learning settings.

Blended Learning Examples

Blended learning combines traditional classroom instruction with online materials and activities. The specific mix of in-person and digital components can vary, depending on the course, subject matter, and your students' needs.

This approach offers flexibility, allowing students to access materials online at their convenience. However, it also requires experimentation to find the right balance between technology and pedagogy for your students.

Here are a few ways this can look in a classroom:

• Large Lecture with Recordings: An in-person lecture is recorded so students can rewatch the material later at their own pace.
• Flipped Classroom Model: Students watch pre-recorded lectures or complete readings as homework, freeing up class time for group activities and collaborative problem-solving.
• Seminar with Remote Guests: A small, in-person seminar course invites guest lecturers to join and interact with the class remotely through video conferencing.
• Pre-Session Tasks: Learners are assigned a task to complete on their own before a live session, which is then used as a basis for group discussion and sharing solutions.
• Online Substitution: If in-person sessions are not possible, instruction can be delivered through webinars or pre-recorded videos to maintain learning continuity.

Blended Learning Best Practices

Implementing blended learning involves combining in-person instruction with online learning elements. The right mix of technology and teaching strategies depends on your learning goals, students, and subject matter. These practices focus on aligning technology use with specific pedagogical goals to support the learning experience.

To implement these practices, start by defining clear objectives for your course. Consider what students should learn and how they will demonstrate their understanding, then choose activities and tools that facilitate those outcomes.

Here are some blended learning best practices:

• Define Clear Objectives: Establish the purpose and end goal of the training to create clarity for learners and build a focused program.
• Optimize Use of Class Time: Reserve in-person sessions for activities that benefit from interaction, such as group work, and assign tasks requiring individual focus as homework.
• Use Assessments: Monitor and assess learners' progress at the end of a unit to evaluate understanding and identify knowledge gaps.
• Provide Flexible Access to Materials: Make course materials, such as recorded lectures, available online so students can review them at their own pace.
• Incorporate Interactive Activities: Blend online and self-paced learning by assigning pre-work before a live session and using class time for discussion.

Teach with TeachShare

By combining the strengths of face-to-face instruction with the flexibility of digital tools, blended learning helps you meet the needs of every student in your classroom. This approach creates a more personalized and engaging learning experience that makes the most of your valuable time. Start creating resources with TeachShare now.