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Blended Learning Using HN Online: A Guide For Teaching Teams

HN Online is a digital solution created by Pearson that enables flexible delivery of BTEC Higher National Qualifications through blended learning. It supports combining online and classroom learning, allowing students to work through course content both inside and outside the classroom. HN Online covers 30 of the 60 required guided learning hours for each unit, giving teachers flexibility to use their own materials. When using HN Online, students have online access to all critical course content, aligned to learning outcomes of the qualification. This allows teachers to focus classroom time on high-value activities like assignments.

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90 views

Blended Learning Using HN Online: A Guide For Teaching Teams

HN Online is a digital solution created by Pearson that enables flexible delivery of BTEC Higher National Qualifications through blended learning. It supports combining online and classroom learning, allowing students to work through course content both inside and outside the classroom. HN Online covers 30 of the 60 required guided learning hours for each unit, giving teachers flexibility to use their own materials. When using HN Online, students have online access to all critical course content, aligned to learning outcomes of the qualification. This allows teachers to focus classroom time on high-value activities like assignments.

Uploaded by

mike
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Blended learning

using HN Online

A GUIDE FOR
TEACHING TEAMS
Facilitating flexible delivery
HN Online is a digital solution created by Pearson that enables flexible delivery of
BTEC Higher National Qualifications. It supports blended learning, allowing students
to work through the course content both inside and outside of the classroom
throughout the course.
HN Online covers 30, out of the required 60, guided learning hours for each of the
units, allowing you the flexibility to use your own resources and activities to guide
students through their learning. Course delivery using HN Online is tutor-led and
involves students completing learning goals assigned by the tutor for a particular
unit.
When using HN Online, students have access to all critical course content within an
online platform, and content is aligned to the learning outcomes of the BTEC Higher
National qualification. This enables you to focus on high value face-to-face delivery
and assignment support for the times that students are in the classroom.
HN Online demonstrates three key learning design principles:
• Reducing extraneous cognitive load by providing clear instructions, breaking
down content in bite sized chunks and checking understanding at regular
intervals.
• Boosting active and constructive engagement through interactive activities
such as videos, open response questions, multiple choice questions and drag
and drop activities.
• Providing immediate feedback with the use of model answers for open
response questions, assessing and displaying scores for multiple choice along
with the number of attempts.

HN Online is a digital solution created by Pearson


that enables flexible delivery of BTEC Higher National
Qualifications. It supports blended learning, allowing
students to work through the course content both
inside and outside of the classroom throughout the
course.

A guide for teaching teams 2


Blended learning using HN Online
What is blended learning?
As the use of technology in education has increased over the past few decades,
it also provided opportunities to find new and creative ways to enrich the
educational experience. Blended learning is one such opportunity, which has
evolved to allow a union between face-to-face and technology-based learning.
‘Blended learning provides a combination of face-to-face learning and dynamic
digital activities and content that facilitate anytime/anyplace learning’ (Jisc, 2018)
‘Blended approaches use multiple methods to deliver learning by combining face-
to-face interactions with online activities’ (HE academy, 2018)
Both of these definitions highlight the combination of online and face-to-face
learning, and the facilitation of this. Teaching teams have been using integrated
learning technologies for years, embedding online learning within classroom
delivery. So what is the difference here?
The key to blended delivery, and what comes through in both definitions. is
the facilitation of learning anytime, anywhere. This enables students to take
ownership of their learning by taking advantage of the flexibility it offers.

Delivering blended learning using


HN Online
HN Online is based on a flipped classroom model of blended learning. This
means that students acquire knowledge before class, and then use classroom
time to practise and apply concepts and ideas through interaction with peers and
tutors.
The students are getting the lower level skills out of class, acquiring that
foundational knowledge via HN Online, and during the face to face sessions you
as tutors can build in the higher level learning and skills in the conceptualisation
of that knowledge.
Blended delivery requires preparation at the beginning and moderation
throughout the year in order to make it successful. Some of the key things you
may want to consider are outlined on page 4.

A guide for teaching teams 3


Blended learning using HN Online
Introducing students to blended delivery
Students will need an induction to understand the benefits
of using HN Online and to ensure they are comfortable with
the platform. The induction could include an opportunity for
students to experience the online platform within the classroom
environment before they try using it offsite. This enables you
to address any individual technical or access issues with the
students prior to the start of the learning programme.

Building a community at the beginning


In order to gain the full benefits of a blended learning
programme, it is important to build a community with your
students during the induction period. This helps students feel
more comfortable when engaging with each other in online
discussions and projects. Online discussions need facilitating in
order to be successful.

Setting the expectations


HN Online is based on the ‘read a little, do a little’ philosophy
and students will need to be self-disciplined to work through
and interact with HN Online and stay engaged. You may need to
manage expectations of time spent using HN Online for different
activities.

Incentivising attendance
Blended delivery means there are fewer timetabled face-to-face
sessions, so it is important to ensure that sessions are engaging
and practical. Students need to recognise the value of attending
the classroom-based learning and how these fit into their overall
learning experience.

Providing assessment support


Centres are still required to produce assignment briefs for
each unit and ensure quality assurance through the internal
verification process. Using HN Online can facilitate specific
support for summative assessment, and tutors can schedule
in-class assessment support workshops or 1:1 tutorials within
the scheme of work.

A guide for teaching teams 4


Blended learning using HN Online
Key Features of HN Online
HN Online offers more methods in terms of delivering the learning than
integrated learning technologies. Not only does it include resources for students
to learn from but also enables engagement between students and tutors within
the platform and monitors students’ learning progress.
Content addresses learning outcomes for each unit
Each module in HN Online addresses a specific learning outcome. Modules are
divided into sub-modules, covering the relevant topics classified as learning
goals. As students work their way through HN Online, they can monitor their own
progress through the completion of these learning goals.
Students receive immediate feedback on their progress
Students have the ability to track their progress in HN Online, which is
motivational for them and provides tutors with enhanced data. Information such
as module reports, assessment progress reports, and Learner Paths all provide
rich data that gives you the ability to tailor your teaching methods and feedback
for each student, while improving time efficiency.
Active engagement online
HN Online allows for effective interactions between you and your students
outside of the classroom, through the use of messages, forums and polls.
Therefore, by using Tutors can post on the forum, monitor discussions, provide
online feedback and offer support to students. This continual engagement
means that students will maintain regular contributions to the group and interest
in the programme outside of the classroom.
Self-directed learning
The use of HN Online can increase a student’s ability to set appropriate learning
goals and take charge of his or her own learning. Students have the ability to
become responsible for tracking their individual achievements through HN
Online, which helps develop the ability to find the resources or get the help they
need, self-advocating so they can reach their goals.
Encouraging online collaboration
Digital technology enables students to collaborate in ways that are not possible
in solely classroom-based courses. For example, face-to-face sessions can limit
students’ contributions, due to time constraints, or because students may feel
intimidated in the classroom environment. HN Online can offer an extended and
less daunting platform to continue these opportunities.

A guide for teaching teams 5


Blended learning using HN Online
Reasons to adopt blended learning
A blended approach allows for a wider variety of learning styles to be considered.
HN Online helps address this through a range of interactive learning tools, such
as: video case studies, talking heads, questioning tools and a range of interactive
exercises.
It combines a tutor led classroom-based experience with independent online
studies so students have flexibility over the time, place, path, or pace of their
learning.
Students are able to study at a time and in a place that is convenient for them,
either at home, in the library or a computer lab at college, during their commute,
or during their lunch break at work;
Students can also access different materials or study at different rates,
depending on their prior attainment and own interests. This can reduce stress
and increase satisfaction and information retention.
This approach can be attractive for students who want a flexible course to fit
around their other commitments, such as work or family.

Talk to us about HN Online


If you’d like to find out more about HN Online and
how it can help adopt flexible delivery of BTEC
Higher Nationals at your centre, contact us at
[email protected] today

A guide for teaching teams 6


Blended learning using HN Online
A guide for teaching teams 7
Blended learning using HN Online

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