Blended learning is a growing trend among businesses and educators. It combines digital learning with traditional face-to-face instruction to give students the best of both worlds. Blended learning allows instructors to assess student skill levels, create customized lessons and monitor their progress in real time to get them back on track if they get stuck on something. In this article, we will discuss the different types of blended learning, the advantages of blended learning, how it can be implemented in your business and some examples of successful implementations.
What is Blended Learning?
Blended learning is a combination of separate educational approaches. These include online learning, computer-assisted instruction, Web-based training, virtual classrooms and more. In other words, it is a mix between traditional classroom learning and online education. It is also known as hybrid learning, integrated learning, combined learning or integrated teaching. These terms are used interchangeably with blended learning. Hybrid learning, for example, is the most common term when applied to education. In other words, it is the combination of virtual and face-to-face teaching methods. These two approaches are used to create a customized learning environment for each student. Blended learning can be used as a supplementary or even a primary method of education. It allows a student to enroll in or attend a class at a time and location that works best for them.
Types of Blended Learning
– Face-to-face and online learning – This type of learning can include a combination of one-on-one teaching, group discussions and online collaboration.
– Hybrid or blended delivery – Hybrid delivery is a mix of online tutorials and face-to-face instruction. It is the most common form of blended learning.
– Parallel or blended learning – In parallel learning, students focus on one type of instruction while they are also tracking progress on the other.
– Combined or blended-degree programs – Some schools offer blended-degree programs. These combine two different degrees into one course of study. For example, a student may study computer science and business administration at the same time.
3 Benefits of Blended Learning for Business
– Increased engagement – With a combination of face-to-face and online activities, blended learning can keep students more engaged than traditional learning methods. This leads to more retained knowledge and better results.
– Improved collaboration – Most learning courses include team projects and other activities where students can work together. This will help your employees work together better in the future and even find new employees based on skill level and experience.
– Better results – In many cases, blended learning has been shown to increase student understanding and retention of course material. This is likely because students have the option of reviewing material again or seeking clarification if they get stuck on a concept.
2 Educational Benefits of Blended Learning
– Improved teacher efficiency – With this learning approach, teachers can track student progress and monitor student understanding in real time. This allows them to spend less time re-teaching concepts and more time teaching new material.
– Better student progress – This learning approach allows students to study at their own pace. If a student falls behind, they can catch up at their own rate. This means students won’t fall behind and be left behind by the rest of the class.
4 Other Key Advantages of Blended Learning
– It’s more cost-effective – These courses are often less expensive than traditional face-to-face courses. This is because they allow students to study at their own pace and at times that fit into their schedule.
– It’s easy to scale – This means you can grow your business or school without having to add more instructors or hire more staff members. The online component of this type of learning means you don’t have to worry about adding capacity.
– It can be applied to any subject – This means you can combine online and face-to-face learning for almost any course you offer.
– It has better retention rates – Research shows that retention rates for topics learned through this type of learning are higher than for face-to-face courses and online courses. This means your students will learn better.
Conclusion
Blended learning has become a more common approach to education in recent years as technology has made it both easier and more productive to utilize. It allows students more flexibility in their schedules, and allows them to progress at a pace that is best for them. It also benefits instructors by being able to more easily assess student progress and understandings, and provide targeted and individualized feedback. Although the term “blended learning” has only existed since the mid-1990s, it has quickly become one of the most popular ways for students to learn. Blended learning is a growing trend among businesses and educators. It combines digital learning with traditional face-to-face instruction to give students the best of both worlds. Blended learning allows instructors to assess student skill levels, create customized lessons and monitor their progress in real time to get them back on track if they get stuck on something. Read more about best practices here.
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