Blended Learning

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Quick Guide to Blended Learning 
Blended learning has been creating a buzz in the education industry and rightly so due to the advance of technology in education. Been curious about blended learning? The beginner’s guide below is just the thing you need.  

What is It?
Wikipedia defines blended learning as a formal education program in which a student learns at least in part through the delivery of content and instruction via digital and online media. The student will have control over time, place, path, or pace of the delivery. While still attending a physical school, face-to-face classroom methods are combined with technology or specifically computer-mediated activities. 

Background Story
Contrary to popular belief, blended learning isn’t a new concept and has been around for a long time. The terminology was only firmly established at the beginning of the 21st century. The meaning of blended learning widely diverged to encompass a wide variety of synthesis in learning methods until 2006 when the first Handbook of Blended Learning by Bonk and Graham was published. Graham challenged the vague definition of the term's definition, and subsequently defined blended learning systems that ‘combine face-to-face instruction with computer-mediated instruction’.

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Models of Blended Learning 
According to the Clayton Christensen Institute, a non-profit think tank, the majority of blended-learning programs resemble one of four models: Rotation, Flex, A La Carte, and Enriched Virtual. 

Rotation Model: In this model, students are to rotate between different stations on a fixed schedule – either working online or face to face with a teacher. The rotational model is widely used in elementary schools because many are already set up to have students rotate between stations. The Rotation model includes four sub-models that include station rotation, lab rotation, flipped classroom and individual rotation. 

Flex Model: In this model, students move on a customized and fluid schedule among learning modalities. Students learn mostly in a physical campus, except for assignments. A teacher provides face-to-face support on a flexible and as-needed basis through activities such as group discussions and projects and individual tutoring. This way, teachers can spend more time with certain students as needed. This flexible model also allows students to interact and help each other thus lessening the need for teacher’s intervention. Some implementations of this model have substantial face-to-face support, whereas others have minimal support. For example, some Flex models may have face-to-face certified teachers who supplement the online learning on a daily basis while others may provide little face-to-face sessions. 

A La Carte Model: In this model, students take the entire course online but will still spend a portion of their time in a physical school to complete other courses. The ala carte course or courses are only part of the students’ curriculum. Students take some courses a la carte and others face to face at a physical campus, and this is where the model differs from a full-time online learning model. This model enables students to expand their interests by giving them an opportunity to take courses that are not available at their schools. 

Enriched Virtual Model:  In this model, students have to complete a required face-to-face learning session with their teacher and are free to complete their remaining coursework remotely. Online learning is the backbone of student learning when the students are located remotely. The same teacher will serve as both the online and face-to-face teacher. Many enriched virtual programs began as full-time online schools and then developed blended programs to provide students with physical school experiences. This model differs from the flipped classroom because, in enriched virtual programs, students don’t meet their teachers every weekday. It differs from a fully online course because face-to-face learning sessions are not optional. Students are required to meet their teachers as part of the fulfillment of the course.  






Source: www.dreambox.com, and www.christenseninstitute.org