Tapping the Power of Blended Learning
Posted by Jen Santaniello on Tue, Oct 20, 2009 @ 10:23 AM
Not every student learns best in a classroom setting. In the same respect, not all students learn best in an online environment. In an effort to reach all of their students, a study by the EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research (ECAR) stated that many faculty now use blended learning techniques, combining face-to-face instruction with e-learning tools. In the words of these faculty, blended learning provides the "best of both worlds."
According to the ECAR study, blended learning courses result in high levels of student and faculty satisfaction, student outcomes are higher than in comparable face-to-face and fully online courses, and they have a higher student demand because of their increased convenience and flexibility.
Blended learning also provides faculty with more flexibilty in their courses. For example, an instructor may choose to use online learning techniques when appropriate and class time for material that is better taught in person. An example of this would be when an instructor provides basic course information (or prerequisite material) via online modules, enabling novice learners to study the material at their own pace. Class time can then be used to cover more advanced or complex topics. Instructors may also use online technology for homework assignments and to facilitate student-to-student interaction outside of the classroom. In doing so, class time becomes a resource for discussions and increased interaction between the student and instructor. According to ECAR, this shift from lecture- to student-centered instruction has the ability to increase student satisfaction and postively impact student retention.
The following educational technology tools can be used to enhance and expand the effectiveness of blended learning courses:
1. Blogs: Blogs can be used as a creative learning space for students. By authoring content in class discussions, debates or class assignments, blogging can create a collaborative effort between students, enabling them to learn from one another outside of the classroom.
2. Lecture Capture: Lecture capture enables an instructor to record his/her classes and to post them online for later review. This provides students with an invaluable resource, as they can watch the class recordings as many times as they choose to, enabling them to stop, pause, fast forward and rewind through material that may be difficult to understand. Instructors can also record supplemental material targeted towards specific elements of a course to help facilitate or motivate in-class or online discussions.
3. Podcasts: Podcasts are another way for instructors to deliver lectures to students, as they can be heard via any portable audio device, such as an iPod, or downloaded to a computer once the student subscribes to an RSS feed. Some lecture capture systems even allow instructors to provide ‘enhanced' podcasts (video and audio recordings) for students to review on their iPods.
Are you teaching a blended learning course? What tools do you use? How do you think your blended learning course compares to face-to-face or fully online courses?
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