Here are some simple information on blended learning:
1. There are several definitions for blended learning.
The first one is from Clive Shepherd:
“A blended learning solution combines educational and training methods within different social contexts for learning (self-study, one-to-one, group) with the aim of increasing learning effectiveness. It may also mix the learning media used to deliver the solution (face-to-face, online, offline, etc.) as a way to optimise the efficiency of the solution. These choices are made in responses to particular learning requirements and audience characteristics, as well as practical constraints and opportunities.”
Author: Clive Shepherd (2008). The Blended Learning Cookbook, p. 18.
The second one is from Josh Bersin:
Blended learning is the combination of different training “media” (technologies, activities, and types of events) to create an optimum training program for a specific audience.”
From Josh Bersin (2004) in his book “The Blended Learning Book – Best Practices, Proven Methodologies and Lessons Learned”.
2. Josh Bersin further elaborated on two proven blended learning models. These are the program flow model and the core-and-spoke model.
3, Here are some details on the program flow model:
- Traditional courses have times blocked out for lectures, quizzes, group work, discussion, test, etc.
- One can apply the blended learning approach to the program “flow model,” replacing some of the physical events with self study or e-learning activities.
- Components of this model include:
o Kickoff Event – sets the agenda and communicates the consequences of not completing.
o Initial Learning Activity – Learners’ first experience with the content or instructor.
o Cycle of events including self-study and a live check-in process (the check-in process can be between chapters, modules or reading assignments, depending on the length of the program.
o Final Assessment – wraps up program and assesses the learner (can be interspersed throughout the program).
o Feedback and conclusions – usually a survey or a meeting that enables the learners to give direct feedback to instructors and content developers.
- Remember this rule: Try not to give more than one-two hours of self-study module to complete between some live check-in process.
- Benefits of this model include: It creates a deeper level of commitment and a high completion rate; enables instructor to track progress; and fits into the normal flow of classroom training that most people expect.
- Easy to modify and maintain.
- Called core-and-spoke model because the additional exercise, materials, events and references are supplemental to the core and are used to reinforce, supplement, and complement the main course. (p. 73 of Josh Bersin's book on The Blended Learning Book).
- A program is designed based on a single course using a single type of media, which is either live or electronic.
- Optional and supplemental materials are provided for learners’ use but are optional rather than mandatory. These materials can be learning activities or other types of media.
- Learners make their own decisions about what supplemental materials to use and when to use it.
- Students do not complete the course at the same time.
- The benefits of this model include: Easier to build in stages (get the core done first, and the other materials later); used with learners who are motivated and capable of self-study; some supplemental materials can be stressed by requiring the learners to submit responses for feedback; speeds the development process; and flexible.
http://www.e-ope.ee/_download/euni_repository/file/610/22_blendedlearning.pdf
