Essay On Blended Learning

As educators, we need to stay ahead of the pack and stay informed on trends taking place. One of the trends taking place in education is blended learning. Even though blended learning has been around for a while, it still counts as a trend because it is constantly changing and developing. The idea goes as far back as the 1840’s when Sir Isaac Pitman used shorthand and would use mail and postcards to grade assignments and make corrections. Students would make corrections if needed and mail them back to him. Obviously, technology has gone far and allowed massive growth in what is available today. In the late 70’s, early 80’s companies would use video networks to train their employees, later in the 90’s web-based instructions became a part of the classroom. By the 2000’s blended learning was becoming an integrated part of learning.  

Oxford dictionary describes blended learning as a style of education in which students learn via electronics and online medial as well as face-to-face teaching. The way that it works is that it gives the student an opportunity to go at their own pace and it is often more convenient and is often helpful for a student that is a visual learner. The instructor gives lectures, assignments, feedback, and test via on-line which for some could cause less anxiety than if in a classroom. Blended learning fosters the idea of independent learning because it allows them to learn on their own and to use the materials and resources presented to them in ways that work best for them. Another approach and there are several to blended learning is Lab Rotation Blended Learning, in which students via the computer go from one lab station to another. This set up is based on a fixed schedule to add flexibility and convenience to the students. 

The main purpose to use blended learning is that it offers students a visual to go on and allows for flexibility in a student's often busy schedule. Students learn differently and for some students this is a beneficial way of learning, and they don’t feel like they are put on the spot everyday like in a traditional classroom. The educational theory behind blended learning comes from Maslow’s and Vygotsky’s educational theory. Maslow’s educational theory has to do with blended learning by wanting to meet the students' needs to get the most out of the student. They do this by making it more convenient for students with a busy schedule to take some of the stress off so they can work to their full potential. Vygotsky’s educational trend has to do with blended learning by using the zone of proximal development to helping guide the students. There will be some assignments where the students will not need help and some where they do. The teacher will come in and guide the students to find the correct solutions to their problems. 

Blended learning is being adopted in and out of classrooms at higher and lower institutions in the past decade. Blended learning allows students to work at home or other locations and not even have report to school to get work done. This has been extremely helpful through the pandemic. If it wasn’t for blended learning and the use of technology, then students all over the world would be missing out on an education. With blended learning, teachers are able to record lectures, assigns homework, and tests online while also being able to connect with the students to provide feedback. With this approach, students learn how to become more independent and manage their time. If a student isn’t very independent and can’t make time to do the assignments, then they aren’t going to do very well in the class. 

Blended learning has its pros and cons just like any other method. Online education and face-to-face education can be very beneficial when combined, but only when applied correctly. Not all students are independent enough to support their learning needs. Some may love to do blended learning, while others are confused about it. Blended learning can help reach a larger audience in a shorter amount of time because the teacher doesn’t have to be there constantly. Blended learning helps with better preparation and feedback if the students are doing their work. When students can come to class with the same knowledge level, then there is more time for useful discussions and to practice what they have learned. If a student is lost, you may assist the student having problems and provide feedback to help them out. Blended learning also helps cut costs because there’s fewer instructors to be paid and less commuting time.