Blended learning, also known as hybrid teaching, mixed learning or b-learning, is an educational model that seeks to combine face-to-face teaching with technology-based remote learning. Do you want to know how it works? Keep reading this article!
The advancement of the Internet and new technologies has brought many changes in education. For a time, many believed that face-to-face teaching would be completely replaced by distance learning. However, there is already a more flexible “middle way” that takes advantage of both models: blended learning.
Although it is a term still unknown to many people, hybrid teaching has become very popular thanks to the .
What is blended learning and how does it work?
As we have just said, blended learning is basically a combination of face-to-face and online teaching.
This means that learning happens both in the classroom and in a virtual environment. It is a mixture between the traditional teaching that we all know and the one to obtain the best possible result.
In practice, the student will have face-to-face classes, with a teacher and other students, as well as in a virtual environment, through and other technological resources that allow them to acquire knowledge.
In other words, we have the perfect combination between the face-to-face world and the online world.
Types of b-learning
Hybrid teaching can be structured in two ways: synchronous and asynchronous.
In the synchronous model, instructors and students must be present in real time during virtual classes so that there is interaction between all. In this modality, forums, chats, and face-to-face classes are used to stimulate student participation and group work.
This model is often used in situations that require direct interaction, expert feedback, group work, and more complex problem solving.
In the asynchronous model, virtual activities do not require the presence of all participants. This ensures that the teaching method is more appropriate for the particularities of each student, facilitating the learning process of the contents. In the end, each student can customize her study routine according to her goals and the time she has available to study.
Advantages of blended learning
The main advantage of hybrid teaching is that it allows a more flexible study routine for students, but without abandoning everything that the traditional model offers. But, in reality, b-learning is much more than that.
Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits this methodology can offer:
for those who learn
- Blended learning guarantees students more comfort and flexibility. They can control the speed of learning and can study remotely for part of the process.
- They suggest that hybrid teaching helps to understand and fix the topics studied.
- As b-learning allows interaction between students and tutors, it is a more interactive and attractive model than fully remote teaching.
for those who teach
- Blended learning can reduce costs for the creation and maintenance of face-to-face courses, such as the rental of spaces, furniture and printing of teaching materials.
- In addition, it allows the use of various resources, such as webinars and , which enables greater public participation.
- As hybrid teaching is more efficient and profitable, the cost is higher than in traditional teaching.
Main models of b-learning
Personalizing the content in blended learning is essential for the success of the student and the course. Instead of a single model, the intention is to offer solutions adapted to the pace and needs of each student.
In this sense, hybrid teaching can be implemented in various ways, generally using a combination of one or more of the following models:
Rotation by station
In this model, students can rotate through stations at a fixed time, as long as at least one offers online learning.
It is more common in primary schools, as teachers are more used to rotating in “centers” or stations.
rotation lab
In the rotation lab, as in the previous model, students can rotate through the stations on a predetermined schedule. However, online learning takes place in a fixed location, usually a computer lab.
single rotation
Individual rotation, on the other hand, allows students to rotate through stations at times previously established by teachers or tutors.
Unlike other models, students do not have to rotate through all the stations. They only rotate through the activities scheduled in their individually created teaching plans.
flipped classroom
This classroom model reverses the traditional logic between face-to-face study time and activities to do at home.
Students study content through online classes and courses, while instructors and tutors use face-to-face classes for hands-on activities and projects that require supervision.
Flex
Here, students can move in more flexible schedules between various learning activities, according to their needs and time availability.
In the flex model, online teaching acts as the backbone, with teachers offering support and guidance based on individual needs.
It is one of the models that guarantees students greater autonomy and control over their own learning.
To the letter
The à la carte model allows students to take non-face-to-face courses with an online teacher, in addition to face-to-face classes. This guarantees them greater flexibility in study schedules.
virtual enriched
The enriched virtual model allows students to complete the majority of the course online, outside of the educational institution. However, they have to attend face-to-face classes with a teacher or tutor.
But, unlike the flipped classroom, the enriched virtual model does not require daily attendance, it involves less frequent face-to-face classes.
How to apply a blended learning strategy
You may be thinking of becoming and creating a course that combines online classes and interaction with instructors in real time. Or you may want to implement one for your company’s employees that also uses e-learning tools.
In both cases, using blended learning can be very beneficial. But, for everything to go well, it is important to carefully plan the strategy so that learning is not affected.
With this in mind, we have listed some tips for designing a more efficient hybrid teaching strategy. Look:
1. Choose learning objectives
As with any strategy, it is very important to identify what the main goals and objectives are in order to gather the necessary inputs to achieve them.
In this way, define what knowledge you want the collaborators or students of your course to have and what skills they must develop at the end of the process.
2. Define means, technologies and methodologies
With your goals in mind, the next step is to determine what resources, both online and offline, will be needed.
Because blended learning allows knowledge to be delivered in a variety of formats and techniques, care needs to be taken in choosing the most appropriate methodologies.
Think carefully about the results that students must achieve in each activity before defining in which medium you will offer it.
It may be that an assessment exercise is better suited to an online format, while a focus group will have better results if done face-to-face, for example.
3. Encourage interaction
The interaction between students and teachers is one of the greatest advantages of blended learning in relation to Distance Learning. When students communicate with each other, they can more easily share experiences and apply the content they are learning.
Therefore, it always stimulates this interaction, thinking of methodologies and techniques that favor the exchange between the participants and the discussion of everything that is being learned.
4. Monitor performance
It doesn’t matter if the content available is online or offline. Evaluate the audience’s progress and performance throughout the process.
You can do this using online quizzes or a feedback system at the end of each stage, for example.
This is important so that students feel they have a support system, as well as allowing you to receive feedback on the effectiveness of the course or training.
5. Stay consistent
A very common mistake among those who decide to start a blended learning strategy is not worrying about consistency between online and face-to-face content delivery methods. When this happens, the effectiveness of the course or training is greatly impaired.
Therefore, keep the coherence and connection between the face-to-face and remote aspects so that the students are more engaged and motivated during the process.
conclusion
As we have seen, traditional teaching, in which face-to-face classes are the norm, has become increasingly obsolete. But that doesn’t mean you can’t combine the best of traditional teaching with the latest teaching technologies.
And that is precisely what blended learning offers: it combines the flexible routine of online courses with the greater interaction of face-to-face learning.
However, for this strategy to work, it is important to do a detailed planning, clearly defining the objectives and the techniques that will be used during the course or training.
Now that you know what blended learning is and how it works, how about delving into the world of distance education? Check our !
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