What is ‘Blended Learning’?
Anika H. Ahmed, MD
With another year wrapping up with Coronavirus among us, the COVID-19 pandemic unfolding with new variants, many wonder how 2022 will set foot in our lives. The last few days of 2021 have been productive in the health sector, bringing a new wave of excitement, as some pharmaceutical companies get emergency approval from the United States Food & Drug Authority for COVID-19 vaccination for infants and toddlers too in addition to children, teenagers, and adults and the first antiviral anti-COVID-19 pill!
As we get ready for the new year, many parents are being given a choice in 2022, of either sending their children for an in-person classes on campuses, total virtual on-line classes, or a hybrid model with blended learning.
Blended learning, also identified by many as a hybrid model, owes its design to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It enables parents and students to opt for a combination of both online education and the old-fashioned traditional campus-based education, with availability of educational materials and instructions both virtually and in-person.
In addition to education many organizations are also opting for a hybrid model for professional development and trainings.
The main advantage of blended learning is that for many parents and students it is more affordable, a difference especially seen in college tuitions, with zero room and board fees. There is availability of course materials and trainings, easy participation in group discussions and activities on virtual platforms like blackboard, quiz let, brain space, zoom, google meet, go to meeting, teams, and WebEx etc.
Staying in the comfort of your home with no commute, rush hour delays, bad weather mishaps and frustrations, does certainly improve the quality of life and certainly saves hours on the road. Not only does it offer flexibility, comfort and more productive hours on the clock, but it also offers availability of material from anywhere, with internet access and still have the benefits of face-to-face instructions and support from instructors.
On the other hand, there are two main immediate disadvantages of blended learning.
Firstly, students may experience a marked cognitive overload, as instructors get carried away and give a heavy load of content, with supplementary exercises and activities that can burn out the students. Furthermore, since blended learning is a new concept, many instructors may lack the required training to teach and manage a virtual classroom.
Secondly, one must bear in mind that not every child or instructor may have the luxury of having their own independent computer and a family with limited resources may find it hard to keep every family member connected to technology for virtual access of educational lessons, content, online materials, projects, exercises, and activities.
So far, the studies conducted on blended learning indicate that ‘hybrid models of learning’ do incorporate multiple methods of instruction, while making good use of technology and in person access to education. They demonstrate an effective learning outcome for most students. Due to modern, fast technology, teachers also have more flexibility and time to reach their students for additional support and feedback.