What is Blended
Learning?
by Maggie O'Scanaill | Jul 23, 2020 | Blended Learning, Schools Like You

In recent years, constant changes and enhancements to technology have

prompted educators to progressively integrate technology into K-12 classrooms.
One outcome of this growing technology integration is new, emerging
progressive learning styles – particularly that of blended learning. However; given
the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the definition of blended learning
has shifted to take on new meanings. So what does blended learning really
mean given the current state of K-12 education?

A Definition for Blended Learning

At its core, blended learning is based on the notion that everyone learns
differently. Some students learn better with pen and paper, while others work
better with technology. 
Similarly, some teachers teach better with technology, while others teach better
with pen and paper. In today’s day and age, these learning styles are no longer
independent of each other, as blended learning takes these learning and
teachers styles and blends them to make instruction effective for everyone.
COVID-19 has accelerated the process of transitioning into more progressive
learning styles, and consequently, teachers have implemented new teaching
tactics. Blended learning has proven to be one of the most implemented teaching
tactics throughout this time of remote learning. Study.com states, “The idea of
blended learning is that some students can benefit from doing part of their
learning in a digital environment, and part of it face to face.”
Blended learning takes a personalized approach, keeping in mind every student’s
needs. Study.com explained how students are able to work at their own pace and
independently while also reflecting and discussing their work with their teacher at
a given point.
With the uncertainty of the future of instruction and the need for effective and safe
instruction, blended learning is one of the most feasible strategies for Fall 2020.
This new age of blended learning divides instruction between taking place online
and in person. This environment understands and acknowledges the safety of
both students and teachers while also prioritizing the benefits of a hybrid learning
environment. 

Why Use Blended Learning?

In a classroom setting, technology gives teachers the opportunity to kill two birds
with one stone. Teachers can split their lesson into 2 parts using technology and
traditional teaching. Study.com gave the example, “one small group of learners
might be working on a science activity with a teacher, while others might be
reading about the same topic online.”
Flexibility is one of the biggest benefits of blended learning. Teachers a lot of
times find themselves on a tight schedule with little time to shy away from their
original plan. A blended environment gives teachers the opportunity to multitask
almost as if they have an assistant teacher with them in the room, only it’s some
sort of digital device. Using technology and educating your students on how the
technology works give you the ability to do class virtually if preferred as well. 

LearnUpon mentions that academic research has shown how blended learning

enables students to have a more comprehensive knowledge of the course
material. This learning style creates a hands-on experience and a similar
recreation of a real-life work environment for students to learn from at an early
age. It also helps them to build strong social skills and intelligence.

How to Implement Blended Learning

Stephanie Howell explains the 4 station plan that her school implemented to
create a blended learning environment. 
Station 1: Using the 4 C’s
The four C’s are communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.
Using this model helps to guide blended learning in the classroom. Students are
able to produce work instead of consuming it like in a traditional classroom
setting.
Station 2: Teacher-Led Groups
Students work in small groups with their teachers to learn about a new concept or
review skills based on the lesson and data. This makes up the hands-on, or
paper and pen portion of blended learning.
Station 3: Independent Work
Students are able to practice the skills they learned during station 2 on their own.
This is to make sure they fully understand the content before moving to the
technology.
Station 4: Digital Content
Technology is implemented and students are able to apply the skills and
information they learned during stations 2 and 3 to use the online tools. A few
tools that Stephanie recommended were EdPuzzle, iReady, and Gizmos.
The versatility that technology brings to the classroom opens doors for educators
to find their creative side and experiment to find the best ways to make learning
fun for students. Blended learning is a small and easy step toward the new
direction education is heading in. Create a blended environment for your students
to feel supported and purposeful.

  “Blended Learning”
  

Wikipedia definition: “Blended learning is a form of education that

combines face-to-face classroom methods with computer-mediated
activities. According to its proponents, the strategy creates a more
integrated approach for both instructors and students.”

In order to support this, we need to understand the blended learning

programs fully and test some widely used applications to decide which can
meet the needs of our students and which one to use in our institution.

As the technology is developing really fast, we need to follow the novelties

in education.  Actually no one is a single method learner, people are all
blended learners, so we can customize this blended learning according to
the needs of our institution. 
“Why Blended Learning Is In Need? (1)

Each learner requires a scientific study of the instruction, to have a better

operational ability. Thus, the good instructions provide individual with
better learning experiences by using media, strategies and methods. These
learning experiences are able to promote interactions that allow the
learners to recall all the information that they have absorbed and combine
it with other experiences, so that a new kind of knowledge base can be
formed.”

The GOAL: (2)

“The goal of a blended approach is to join the best aspects of both face to
face and online instruction. Classroom time can be used to engage students
in advanced interactive experiences.  Meanwhile, the online portion of the
course can provide students with multimedia-rich content at any time of
day, anywhere the student has internet access.”

Models for Blended Learning:

1-The Supplemental Model

The supplemental model retains the basic structure of the traditional course
and uses technology resources to supplement traditional lectures and
textbooks.

The supplemental model for blended learning incorporates technology into

the instructional approach of the course, but does not alter its basic
structure. Students may be required to complete online readings or
activities, or participate in lab sessions. However, there is no reduction in
course meeting time under the supplemental model; a three-hour course
would still meet in-class for three hours per week.

Example: UMass Amherst Introduction to Biology

This introductory biology course utilized online preparatory materials to

alert students to learning objectives and key concepts in advance of their
lecture meetings. In addition, the course offered online quizzes to allow
students to monitor their own progress and mastery of the course content..
2-The Replacement Model

The replacement model reduces the number of in-class meetings, or

classroom “seat-time,” and:

   replaces some in-class time with out-of-class, online, interactive

learning activities

   makes significant changes in remaining in-class meetings.

Under a replacement model, there are fundamental changes to the course.

Unlike the supplemental model, the online resources in a replacement
model are fully integrated into the overall instructional effort. The online
content acts as a replacement for time that would have been spent in a
lecture hall. Consequently, the nature of the in-class activities is changed
as well. Instead of traditional lectures, in-class time is freed for more
interactive, collaborative learning experiences.

Example: BYU English Composition

In this course, in-class time was reduced from three hours to one. Lectures
were replaced by a series of interactive multimedia lessons. The in-class
time was altered to allow for students to meet with peers in small groups.
These group meetings provided students the opportunity to review their
team members’ works and offer feedback and suggest

3- The Emporium Model

The emporium model eliminates all class meetings and replaces them with
a learning resource center. This resource center, typically a large computer
lab, offers access to course online materials in addition to live assistance
and guidance.
The emporium model is a radical reconceptualization of the traditional
course. Though attendance at the learning center can be required, there are
no longer lectures in a traditional sense. Course content is delivered via
online materials, and in-person help is provided in the learning resource
center.

Example: Virginia Tech Linear Algebra

Using a 500-seat computer lab and a combination of online resources

(modular tutorials, streaming video, and quizzing), Virginia Tech replaced
30 traditional lecture-based course sections into one large course which
served 1,500 students. The lab allowed access to students 24×7, and
provided live support to students with roving instructors, teaching
assistants, and peer tutors.

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AUGUST 27, 2021
 What is Blended
Learning? A Guide to
Everything You Need
to Know
By: ELM Learning

What is Blended Learning?

Blended learning combines the best of two training environments—traditional face-to-face
classroom training and high-tech eLearning. By covering all the bases, you can engage all types
of learners—those who learn better in a structured environment that includes face-to-face
interaction with an instructor, and independent types who learn better with semi-autonomous,
computer-based training. 
 
Your company likely has both millennials who are more used to digital learning, as well as
traditional learners; blended learning serves both.
 
While the classroom offers an opportunity for role-playing with immediate face-to-face
feedback, online learning offers personalized, self-paced learning with eLearning/mLearning
components that lend themselves to interactive media such as skill-building, games, videos,
tutorials, quizzes and social media components, all accessible from the learner’s home page in
the Learning Management System (LMS)—and accessible from the learner’s smartphone or
tablet.
 
Read on to learn more about the benefits of blended learning, blended learning models, blended
learning best practices, and real-life blended learning examples.

Why Blended Learning?

In the past decade, teachers at higher and lower educational institutions have organically adopted
blended learning as a meaningful learning tool in and out of the classroom. Luckily, corporate
learning is catching up. The success of blended learning is due to five main benefits:
 

1. Accounting for Everyone

Blended learning takes every type of learner into account, whether they prefer the familiar
traditional classroom, would rather learn online, or try a mixture of both. Without the limitations
of a classroom or all-online course, blended learning utilizes a variety of methodologies so the
content can be customized to the learner and optimized for the subject matter. While not all face-
to-face training is easily translated to digital content, it’s possible to re-engineer existing content
for online delivery in a way that complements the existing training. 
 

2. Learning Trends and Feedback

Blended learning uses online and offline technologies in tandem, allowing instructors to quickly
adopt the latest learning trends and modalities into the curriculum. Instructors can also use built-
in reporting features in most LMS software programs for deeper, data driven insights into student
progress and success. 
 
For learners, blended learning also offers the unique opportunity to discuss, model, and practice
their new skills in a safe space, so they’re not just watching or hearing—they’re doing. By
applying the new knowledge shortly after they’ve left the physical or virtual classroom, learners
retain what they’ve learned.
 

3. Lower Costs 

In-class training may seem like a cheaper option when compared to eLearning development, but
consider the true cost of face-to-face sessions: Time away from work, paying instructors, and
flying in remote employees can eat up a significant amount of the L&D budget. A blended
eLearning approach cuts down on travel costs and can be used again and again, which reduces
instructor time as well.
 

4. Fun and Engagement

Blended learning is an interactive experience in every sense of the word. Learners reinforce the
offline lessons by practicing online through a variety of different content media, each geared to
suit a certain learning style. Learners can choose which type of content they want to interact
with, practice what they learn, and communicate with instructors and other learners any time and
on any device. The community experience keeps learners engaged and informs teachers about
their progress and areas needing more attention.
 

5. Reach and Personalization 

Global organizations face the challenges of making learning universal, no matter the branch
location. Language interpretation and travel can also be concerns, both of which are easily
addressed by blended eLearning that brings training to all employees, whether they work in
another country or from home.
 
Diverse reach also means diverse individuals. If all learners have different levels of
understanding and expertise, then why force them into the same training program? Blended
eLearning creates a buffet-style approach to training, allowing learners to lead and choose how
and when they interact with the material. Being able to test out of a familiar topic or listening to
the same podcast a few times means each learner gets the training they need (and want).

Blended Learning Models

When you’re teaching a diverse group, it’s almost impossible to tailor the learning experience to
suit every learner—or is it? A blended learning model can help you personalize your subject
matter for time considerations, learning techniques and even personal preferences, but
implementing a blended learning model it requires big changes to how you think about training.
 

Take a look at some of these blended learning methods and see if they might work for you:
 Face-to-Face: Traditional instructor-led learning sessions supplemented with technology to
allow learners to control their own learning pace. Benefits are role-play, mentoring, hands-
on practice, and feedback.
 Rotation: Students go from one learning activity to another learning activity, either in a
structured learning session directed by a teacher, or online in a self-directed manner.
Examples include learning stations, labs, and the flipped classroom where learners practice
the lesson before attending the face-to-face training.
 Flex: Flex learning is a term that can be used interchangeably with personalized learning. 
By accessing means of integration of learning in a Learning Management System (LMS.),
the students control their learning path, choosing what they to learn. The instructor is
usually present in a mentoring capacity, to answer questions.
 Gamification: One of the most effective ways to motivate learners is by letting them play!
By using game play elements such as points or levels,  learners feel a little competition and
are more motivated to experience the material on their own time.
 Online Lab: This blended learning model is entirely digital, with little or no instructor
interaction, and takes place either before, during or after a training. Learners can access
content on mobile phones (mLearning), laptops or tablets. This modality engages and
solidifies learning.
 Self-Blend: Self-blended learning is supplemental content—either in the form of webinars,
white papers, industry blogs, or video tutorials—that help self-motivated learners delve
deeper into a subject. A robust LMS can combine diverse content sources under one system
to encourage curiosity and growth.
 Online Driver: This blended learning model is entirely self-directed and takes place in a
digital environment. Learners can engage with an instructor through chat, email or message
board. It provides a flexible schedule and personalized learning, but lacks the face-to-face
interaction of other types of blended learning. An LMS is the best way to encourage users
to direct their own learning while still monitoring their process as they enjoy media and
eventually, engage in classroom discussion. You can choose from existing learning
management systems or opt to have an LMS developed specifically for your purposes.
Best Practices for Blended Learning
Blended learning works well for covering a large amount of course material with learners who
are independent and engaged. But how can you get learners to take responsibility for their own
education? By putting best practices and blended learning strategies to work with the rest of your
curriculum, you can make the most of a combined at-home and in-class effort.
 
 
Explain Yourself!

If your learners don’t truly understand the reasoning behind combining both independent and in-
class learning, you may lose them from day one. Instead, take the time to explain exactly why
you’ve chosen blended learning as your method for delivery. Perhaps you want to respect how
your learners learn at different paces—and respect their time; or you would rather spend class
time putting concepts to work and engaging in dialog.
 

Include Diverse Activities

Try to be everything to everyone: While some learners prefer to learn by reading, others get
better results by doing. There is no cookie cutter method of effective learning, but including
diverse activities such as group discussions, online quizzes, games and even role playing drives
user engagement for all learning types.
 
Max Out Media

You and your learners have the most powerful learning tool of all time readily accessible at your
fingertips: the internet. Why write out a whiteboard question when you could show an engaging
video? Take this a step further: ask learners to watch a video on their own time, then be prepared
to answer discussion questions in class the next day. Why tell your learners a fact when you can
have them research at home and report back in class? 
 
Or, try an online module paired with a quick in-class presentation. When learners are given a
chance to apply their new knowledge, they increase retention.
 
Blended learning is effective because learners aren’t just watching or hearing: they’re doing. By
applying the new knowledge shortly after they’ve left the physical or virtual classroom, learners
retain what they’ve learned, which is a win-win for all.

Blended Learning Examples in Corporate Learning

Check out these real-life examples of blended learning:

When Ticketmaster noticed that their customer service left a lot to be desired, they switched to a
blended learning model that combined self-paced custom eLearning with real-world practice that
could be observed and assessed for on-the-spot feedback.

Similarly, computer giant CDW found itself lacking when it came to a unified user experience.
They made the switch to a synchronous learning platform to allow both in-office and satellite
workers the same blended learning resources and tools. Those e-tools were then combined with
hands-on experience where learners could practice their skills and become better employees.
Both companies proved that making the switch to a blended learning method means a more
customizable experience, but more importantly, a better way for instructors to assess the
effectiveness of the module.

How to Start with Blended Learning?

Take a step back and consider what your training is providing, and what you want the learner to
learn. You probably know this already, having developed instructor-led sessions. Using your
experience and the help of the instructors, ask yourself: Where are the problems?
 
Nearly every trainer will tell you there are aspects of their programs that are difficult—both for
them and their learners. Think about dry, factual information such as technical specifications,
compliance information, or a complicated series of steps that may require practice to master.
This is your crack in the door: what can you take out of the instructor-led sessions and develop as
eLearning so learners can learn and practice on their own time—and at their own pace?  
 
Contemporary instructional design approaches have developed some really interesting and
engaging ways of making that assessment, making eLearning and instructor-led content excellent
complements to each other.
 
Moving some course content to eLearning also benefits the instructor-led sessions, allowing
instructors to concentrate more on the application of knowledge or on more complicated tasks. 
The eLearning can provide the “what” while the instructor-led content can focus on the “how.”
 
We suggest that you use a system that can track both offline and online training interventions,
such as a learning management system that incorporates Tin Can (Experience) API. You can set
up such a system to take reports from instructor-led and online learning events equally, and
develop a “report card” for each employee to track their learning interventions.
 
You’re ready to start implementing your own blended learning program! You’ve learned about
the benefits of blended learning, blended learning models, best practices, and real-life blended
learning examples. Your learners will thank you for offering learning that works best for them.

Blended Learning – Why is it

the best Learning Approach
What is Blended Learning
Blended learning is an instructional approach where the learning is imparted using
both the traditional face-to-face classroom training and online training through videos,
chats, social media platforms, or webinars, etc. It is not just a combination of teaching
modes but also a combination of Instructor-controlled and learner-controlled learning.

With blended learning, we blend the best of classroom and online training. In the
classroom environment, the instructor can motivate the learners, build a relationship
with them, and provide them with the feedback or counsel them. In this environment,
the instructor is in the best position to maintain discipline through the learning
program to achieve the learning results. Through online learning, the learners get the
flexibility of self-directed and self-controlled study with the instructor’s help as and
when required.

Blended learning is also known as hybrid learning, mixed-mode learning, or tech-

enhanced learning. The most basic example of blended learning scenario is students
getting an introduction and explanation of the topic in the classroom and accessing
more information about the topic from the internet in the form of online articles or
videos.

Blended learning combines the best of two learning approaches

The most common ways of imparting Blended
Learning
Based on the different ways in which we can blend the learning modes, we can have
different types of blended learning models like, face-to-face or online driver model,
Rotation model, enriched virtual learning model, flex learning, or self-blend learning.
Almost all of these models are similar in concept about blending online learning with
Instructor-assisted learning; however, the proportions of time spent by the learners in
each environment vary based on their learning requirements.

Some of the common ways in which we can impart blended learning are:

Rotation Model – In this model, the students rotate between technology-assisted self-
learning and Instructor-assisted learning (discussions, activities, assessments). The
students either start with self-learning at the computer station and move to the
teacher’s desk/classroom or vice-versa. The students rotate between two learning
modes based on the schedules set by the instructors, learning program coordinator, or
by the learners themselves. The rotation model could be Mastery-based (assessment
based), Individual or computer lab rotation model.
Enriched Virtual Model – In this model, the students receive one-to-one session
with the instructor and complete rest of the curriculum independently on their own.
Face-to-face/Online Driver Model – In the face-to-face model, the instructor covers
most of the curriculum and guides the students towards online learning material for
further learning. In the Online driver model, the students complete most of the
curriculum online through self-learning and contacts the instructor on need basis or
mandatorily, as instructed in the program. The other blended learning program similar
to face-to-face or online driver models is Self-blend learning.
Flex Learning Model – In this model also, students do most of the learning online
but under the supervision of the teacher. The teachers provide timely support through
group-sessions or in-person counselling. The Flex learning model is very popular in
higher secondary schooling.
Flipped Classroom Learning Model – In flipped classroom learning model, the
students read the study material based on the curriculum at home through online
videos or courses. In the classroom, they discuss the read topics with their classmates
and get in to group discussions or other learning activities under the guidance of an
instructor.
Project based Learning Model – This learning model is used to complete a given
learning project. The learners access online study portals – either self-directed or
guided and take guidance from the instructor (personal counselling or collaboration)
to complete the project. The project could be a learning assignments, learning
products or artifacts.
Inside-Out/Outside-In learning Model – In the Inside-Out learning model, the
learners are given education inside the classroom and then taken out in the world
(communities or social groups – online or physical) to enhance and confirm their
education. In the Outside-In learning model, the learners start their experiences in the
outside world and finish their learning in the classroom where they collaborate and
give/receive the feedback.
 Type
s of Blended Learning

Why Blended Learning approach is Good

The blended learning approach provides you with various possibilities of learning
with a blend of instructor-aided class room and online training. It is the most effective
learning strategy as compared to only face-to-face instructor-led training or only
online training. This approach allows the learner to complete their learning program
using the strategy that best suits their requirements.

Some of the benefits of blended learning are:

1. Practical learning – This learning approach provides learners with the

opportunity to learn and practice in the real environment while being guided
by the instructor.

2.  Highly Interactive Learning Material – The online study material given

to the learners before or after the classroom is interactive, illustrative, and
engaging.

3. Learning Progress tracking – The courses and curriculum are built with
learning progress tracker and assessments to help the learners assess their
learning progress either online or get a feedback from the instructors.

4. Self-Directed Learning – The blended learning approach allows the learner

to navigate through the learning program as per their pace, schedule, and
learning progress.

5. Different Learning Strategies for Different Learners – The different

blended learning models provide different learning strategies that the
learners can choose from based on their requirements.
What could be some challenges with Blended
Learning
1. Dependence on Technology – For any blended learning program to
become successful, the learner should have uninterrupted access to the
electronic/media devices.

2. Dependence on the Learner for course completion – Almost all of the

blended learning models support self-directed learning. Sometimes, if now
guided properly, the learning may not be effective and may not give the
desired results.

3. Expensive – Blended learning is supported heavily by the e-learning

content and media devices like computers, laptops, smart phones, data and
wi-fi connections, etc. The cost of making good e-learning content is high
and so is maintaining the media devices.

References:
Blended Learning – Why is it the best Learning Approach – Designing Instructions for eLearning
(designinginstructionwithk.com)