Blended Learning is a combination of online learning and the more traditional in person learning. As is stated in "What is Blended Learning?" by Eoghan Quigley, there are a few different types of blended learning: the flipped model, the face-to-face driver model, and the enriched virtual model. The flipped model "allows trainers to prioritize active learning during class time, by giving learners the training materials and presentations before the actual class". The face-to-face driver model "...is the closest to a traditional classroom structure. Instead of the session taking place in a physical classroom, learners log into a webinar or meeting session, like a Zoom meeting". The enriched virtual model is "an alternative to full-time online training that allows learners to complete the majority of coursework online, and also attend webinars for face-to-face learning sessions with an instructor". As with most things, there are pros and cons to blended learning.
One pro of blended learning is that it gives shy students the opportunity to respond. Often, there are at least one or two students in a class who are uncomfortable voluntarily answering a question or offering a thought in front of the whole class. Blended learning gives these students the opportunity to not only reflect on their response before sharing it, but also allows them to participate without feeling like all eyes are on them. According to RIT's infographic "Blended vs. Flipped Classes", blended learning "...has been known to give students time to reflect, and empower every students to participate and be visible..." Another pro of blended learning is that the students have control over the pace of their learning, as with the enriched virtual model the students have the ability to learn at their own pace. A third pro of blended learning is that it offers more time for students to be actively engaged during their in-person time, like in the flipped model. According to "The Definition of the Flipped Classroom", students are introduced to new content at home, and then have the opportunity to practice through it at school. This is the exact opposite of a more traditional classroom, where new content is introduced at school and then students have the opportunity to practice through it at home. By using the flipped model, students have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers as they work through a problem, and ask their teacher for assistance in real time rather than waiting until the next day or class period.
While there are many pros to blended learning, there are also cons. One such con that is stated in "The Definition of the Flipped Classroom" is that not all students come from equally supportive homes. In a flipped classroom setting (as well as the other blended learning models), much of the learning is the students responsibility. If a student lacks motivation to work on his/her own, he/she will need the support of his/her family in order to complete the work required before going to class in-person. Another con of blended learning is that online learning is not always engaging for all students; if a student is not engaged in what he/she is doing, and there are external stimuli such as tv, games, etc. to distract him/her at home, that student may have a hard time completing the work required before attending the in-person portion of a flipped classroom model.
Though there are pros and cons to blended learning, I personally feel as though the pros outweigh the cons, especially in the flipped classroom model. By having the resources readily available to students online, giving the students time for collaboration with their peers to work through problems, and providing access to teachers when they need it most (when they're doing the work vs. being introduced to it), I believe that students will benefit greatly.
Resources Cited:
https://www.learnupon.com/blog/what-is-blended-learning/
https://www.teachthought.com/learning/definition-flipped-classroom/
https://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/tls/course-design/flipped-classroom/models-infographics
One pro of blended learning is that it gives shy students the opportunity to respond. Often, there are at least one or two students in a class who are uncomfortable voluntarily answering a question or offering a thought in front of the whole class. Blended learning gives these students the opportunity to not only reflect on their response before sharing it, but also allows them to participate without feeling like all eyes are on them. According to RIT's infographic "Blended vs. Flipped Classes", blended learning "...has been known to give students time to reflect, and empower every students to participate and be visible..." Another pro of blended learning is that the students have control over the pace of their learning, as with the enriched virtual model the students have the ability to learn at their own pace. A third pro of blended learning is that it offers more time for students to be actively engaged during their in-person time, like in the flipped model. According to "The Definition of the Flipped Classroom", students are introduced to new content at home, and then have the opportunity to practice through it at school. This is the exact opposite of a more traditional classroom, where new content is introduced at school and then students have the opportunity to practice through it at home. By using the flipped model, students have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers as they work through a problem, and ask their teacher for assistance in real time rather than waiting until the next day or class period.
While there are many pros to blended learning, there are also cons. One such con that is stated in "The Definition of the Flipped Classroom" is that not all students come from equally supportive homes. In a flipped classroom setting (as well as the other blended learning models), much of the learning is the students responsibility. If a student lacks motivation to work on his/her own, he/she will need the support of his/her family in order to complete the work required before going to class in-person. Another con of blended learning is that online learning is not always engaging for all students; if a student is not engaged in what he/she is doing, and there are external stimuli such as tv, games, etc. to distract him/her at home, that student may have a hard time completing the work required before attending the in-person portion of a flipped classroom model.
Though there are pros and cons to blended learning, I personally feel as though the pros outweigh the cons, especially in the flipped classroom model. By having the resources readily available to students online, giving the students time for collaboration with their peers to work through problems, and providing access to teachers when they need it most (when they're doing the work vs. being introduced to it), I believe that students will benefit greatly.
Resources Cited:
https://www.learnupon.com/blog/what-is-blended-learning/
https://www.teachthought.com/learning/definition-flipped-classroom/
https://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/tls/course-design/flipped-classroom/models-infographics
