Blended Learning
Drawing from current theory and practice, let’s work on a framework for the next wave of distance learning; can blended learning tools and methods enhance fully online learning? Share and upload actual examples from your own teaching and instructional design.
How is distance or online learning either or both moving away from f2f instructional design and instruction?
Online instruction and resources serve to enhance classroom learning in a blended learning environment. I find the blended format advantageous to adult students who value the knowledge and interaction of the classroom, but also want the flexibility to complete assignments outside of class that best fits their schedules. This also offers the opportunity to integrate a variety of other resources for students to view from the web. The two major disadvantages are the lack of access to a computer and lack of computer skills. From an instructional standpoint, faculty are still facilitating the learning process; the major difference is the environment in which it is provided.
Thanks for your comments, Renee. Do you think building self-directed skills and learner autonomy in students can happen more efficiently in a blended environment than either fully online or fully F2F?
What have we learned from our experience with distance and online learning in relation to F2F? In addition to the difference in teaching methods, how about instructional design? Should fully "distance" courses be designed differently from online or blended?
It is interesting how the Internet has increased accessibility and enriched input and output opportunities for students. It seems that the most successful learning environments are truly blended: fully online courses are changing now to include increasing opportunities for real-time connections and on-gound are maximizing the asynchronous flexibiliity of online. In what ways are you seeing your courses become more "blended" in delivery?
