What is blended learning?
Blended learning is a type of learning that allows learners to utilize the ability to
learn both face-to-face and online through digital platforms.
The goal is not to complement or replace conventional learning styles, but rather to
incorporate necessary changes to make the educational path for learners more
effective and personalized.
According to one study (Preparing for the Digital University 2015, page 71),
blended learning has proven to generate better learning outcomes when compared
with other learning styles, such as solely online or face-to-face.
Blended learning is “the thoughtful integration of classroom face-to-face learning
experiences with online learning experiences.”
In informal language, blended learning – also known as hybrid learning, is an education
program that combines two learning approaches – the traditional classroom learning,
which is carried out in person, and the elearning approach, which is carried out online.
This ‘blend’ in how learning is provided is used mostly in public schools – high schools,
colleges, and universities.
The emergence of digital technology in the 21st century and the customary use of
smartphones, laptops, and tablets in every aspect of everyday life has slowly introduced
this type of learning within the core structure of Higher Education.
The aim of its use is to make learning easier and more effective delivering an integrated
learning experience that offers real value to learners and matches their needs.
The Main Characteristics of Blended Learning
When talking about blended learning, an important distinction that needs to be made is
that blended learning is not simply tech-rich instruction or a standalone online course.
In “Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools” (2015), Michael Horn and
Heather Staker explain that a blended learning program is delivered:
a) Part online – online learning with some element of student control and flexibility over
how they learn, including the time, place, pace, and path they take.
b) Part away from home – in part or in a combination with a brick-and-mortar location
away from home (instruction at a physical classroom/school or on-campus).
c) Through a learning path – a personalized learning path that offers students the
opportunity to learn through activities that capitalize on different learning modalities.
According to BlendedLearning.org, the key thing to remember here is ‘student control’:
‘The technology used for online learning must shift content and instruction to the control
of the student in at least some way for it to qualify as blended learning from the student’s
perspective, rather than just the use of digital tools from the classroom teacher’s
perspective.’
In essence, it doesn’t define the type of technology learners use but how they use it and the
degree of control they have over it.
This gives learners the ability to pause, go back, or skip forward through online content
but also the opportunity to choose the time, the path, and the location at which they can
learn a new concept and complete coursework or assessments, e.g., assignments or exams.
The benefits of blended learning
1. Higher employee engagement
Through blended learning, employees have more opportunities to learn and engage.
They can learn from trainers face-to-face, and if they need to work more on a new concept
or practice, they have access to all useful material online at all times.
Employees can revisit this material to strengthen their understanding on their own, and
also meet with trainers to discuss questions and problems face-to-face.
2. More Effective
Blended learning enables employees to learn through different styles.
Only learning face-to-face can increase dependency on trainers.
Being able to learn independently as well as face-to-face is empowering and motivating for
employees.
Also, it allows trainers to manage training sessions more efficiently, especially when
training large groups.
3. Increased flexibility
Employees have more opportunities to learn on their own, at their preferred pace and time.
Plus, training instructors are no longer bound to cover everything in the face-to-face
training sessions.
They can break down the course for increased efficiency and have the freedom to decide
what they want to emphasize in training sessions.
Also, if all employees are not on the same level, using an online learning platform means
that every individual can be evaluated and given the attention they need to learn and make
progress.
Overall, blended learning bridges the gap between what is taught and what is learned.
4. Saves time and money
Conducting online training sessions, when it makes sense, can save a lot of time and money.
For example, multinational companies often conduct training sessions in one location, and
employees from other countries have to travel to be there.
Also, renting a large seminar hall to host a training session can be very expensive.
Therefore, from saving on travel costs to seminar rooms rental, blended learning minimizes
operational costs significantly. In addition, it saves the time that companies have to invest
in organizing training events on a large scale.
And some of the hours that it usually takes to go over everything in a face-to-face training
can now be divided between online and in-person work.
5. Much more accurate analysis of learning
In a face-to-face training session, it can be difficult for the instructor to determine whether
everyone is on the same page or not.
Some employees absorb the material quickly, while others might be struggling.
On the other hand, an online platform that contains various types of learning material,
such as videos, ebooks, lectures, and presentations, can be used to track individual progress
more effectively.
These tools incorporate built-in analytics that can evaluate and present a more accurate
analysis of individual learning.
Thus, in a blended scenario, earning becomes more predictable, accurate, and measurable.
6. Something for everyone
Not every employee performs well during face-to-face training sessions.
Similarly, some might find the online-only learning platform too complicated.
Blended learning provides employees a perfect approach; with different modes of learning,
everyone can benefit in one way or another and take advantage of the provided
opportunities to learn and grow.
7. Improved communication
Face-to-face training by itself might not provide employees with the opportunity to
communicate effectively with the instructor, especially in large groups.
With only a limited time allotted for the in-person training session, a trainer only can
entertain a few questions as they need to cover all aspects of the training module.
With blended learning, online platforms become a part of the learning process.
At the same time, employees can find plenty of opportunities to communicate with the
instructor and their team members through the dashboard and other built-in
communication tools.
Similarly, employers and instructors can reach out to their employees more efficiently and
assign different tasks, address problems, and discuss ideas more conveniently through the
online platform.
The drawbacks of blended learning
1. Cost of implementation
The setup cost of developing and implementing a blended learning approach can be high,
including the cost of ownership of an online platform.
Ensuring that the software is customized to meet specific learning goals can be tricky and
tiring as it involves trial and error to identify which features to include and how to
streamline processes for enhanced productivity.
2. Lack of IT skills
It is necessary to have a reliable tech support team on board that can also train the staff.
Otherwise, instead of helping, the new system can become challenging for both trainers and
employees.
3. More work for instructors
The new learning approach can overburden trainers, especially in the beginning.
They might have to revamp an entire course to make it suitable for the new blended
learning approach.
Plus, understanding how the new system works and how to make the best use of it
inevitably means more work.
4. Misuse of the online platform
If trainers misinterpret the purpose of an online platform, they might begin using the
online learning platform as a place to dump loads of educational material they do not want
to go over face-to-face.
That density of the material can be distracting and even demotivating for employees.
5. Disturbance in the workplace
Implementing a new learning system in the workplace can be a challenge, as all staff
members need to embrace the new approach to make it work.
Changes can lead to conflicts, causing a disturbance in the workplace.
Examples of blended learning
Employees being introduced to new principles and procedures at work face-to-face, with
relevant material and exercises available on an online platform that comes with built-in
communication tools.
Conducting short face-to-face coaching sessions with employees to connect with them and
to observe their responses to various topics and issues, and then incorporating a blending
learning approach that best fits their needs while maintaining a balance between face-to-
face and online coaching.
Chatting with employees face-to-face in a problem-solving session to mentor them, as well
as providing them with online resources such as ebooks and case studies that they can
access anytime. This supplies them with a perfect blend of in-person and online support to
become a high-achieving team member.
Providing employees with resources to learn online in the form of short courses, before
having them out those new skills to the test with practical exercises at work. Such exercises
could be done as a team, working on projects and tasks utilizing the training received
through the online course.
Having Employees review and learn training material in the form of videos and text online
to get up to speed with new developments before deepening their understanding through
face-to-face discussions with the instructors at work.
Blended learning is an educational approach that combines both traditional ways of
teaching (e.g., inside the classroom) and online ways of teaching through a series of online
educational materials and interactive activities.
If you are an educator interested in learning more about blended learning, you have come
to the right place.
This article presents a complete guide that takes you through the main concept of blended
learning and its core characteristics. We also discuss the models and benefits of blended
learning, as well as how you can offer blended learning in your online academy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Blended Learning in Education
The Main Characteristics of Blended Learning
The Key Blended Learning Benefits
What Are the Four Models of Blended Learning?
How Can You Offer Blended Learning?
Blended Learning in Education
A formal definition of blended learning that was introduced by Garrison and Kanuka
(2004) explains that:
Blended learning is “the thoughtful integration of classroom face-to-face learning
experiences with online learning experiences.”
In informal language, blended learning – also known as hybrid learning, is an education
program that combines two learning approaches – the traditional classroom learning,
which is carried out in person, and the elearning approach, which is carried out online.
This ‘blend’ in how learning is provided is used mostly in public schools – high schools,
colleges, and universities.
The emergence of digital technology in the 21st century and the customary use of
smartphones, laptops, and tablets in every aspect of everyday life has slowly introduced
this type of learning within the core structure of Higher Education.
The aim of its use is to make learning easier and more effective delivering an integrated
learning experience that offers real value to learners and matches their needs.
The Main Characteristics of Blended Learning
When talking about blended learning, an important distinction that needs to be made is
that blended learning is not simply tech-rich instruction or a standalone online course.
In “Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools” (2015), Michael Horn and
Heather Staker explain that a blended learning program is delivered:
a) Part online – online learning with some element of student control and flexibility over
how they learn, including the time, place, pace, and path they take.
b) Part away from home – in part or in a combination with a brick-and-mortar location
away from home (instruction at a physical classroom/school or on-campus).
c) Through a learning path – a personalized learning path that offers students the
opportunity to learn through activities that capitalize on different learning modalities.
According to BlendedLearning.org, the key thing to remember here is ‘student control’:
‘The technology used for online learning must shift content and instruction to the control
of the student in at least some way for it to qualify as blended learning from the student’s
perspective, rather than just the use of digital tools from the classroom teacher’s
perspective.’
In essence, it doesn’t define the type of technology learners use but how they use it and the
degree of control they have over it.
This gives learners the ability to pause, go back, or skip forward through online content
but also the opportunity to choose the time, the path, and the location at which they can
learn a new concept and complete coursework or assessments, e.g., assignments or exams.
💡 Just like blended learning, distance learning is becoming increasingly popular. Read
about it here.
The Key Blended Learning Benefits
Blended learning is used to facilitate and help meet students’ learning goals and needs
more effectively. When properly implemented, blended learning courses can come with a
range of advantages for both teachers (or instructors) and learners.
Flexibility
For teachers, there is more flexibility regarding how they can deliver synchronous or
asynchronous online instruction and present learning resources. At the same time –
because it is self-paced, learners can learn on their own time and choose which learning
styles suit them the most.
Effectiveness
Research shows that blended learning strategies have the proven potential to enhance both
the effectiveness and the efficiency of meaningful learning experiences. Interaction
capabilities between instructors and learners using email, discussion boards, or chat rooms
can enhance student engagement and allow space for collaborative learning.
Personalization
In a blended learning environment, instructors have greater insights into a learner’s
progress and can easily identify learning gaps with the help of online learning tools. This
leads to creating learning experiences and adopting learning methods that respond better
to their personal needs and interests.
Greater reach
Face-to-face instruction is significantly decreased when following a blended learning
approach. Usually, 30 to 70 percent of the learning is administered online, allowing
teachers to expand their reach and the number of students they can take under their wing.
Reduced cost
What’s great about blended learning is that most of the associated costs faced by
educational institutions or organizations are reduced. From traveling costs to renting big
venues for events and printing out learning materials, educational organizations and
schools can save a lot of money with digital learning.
What Are the Four Models of Blended Learning?
Blending learning comes in many forms, as it can be personalized to each individual. If you
are interested in blended learning, these are the most popular blended learning models you
need to become familiar with:
Image Source: Christensen Institute
Let’s discuss each one of these models in more detail.
Rotation Model
In the rotation model, students rotate on a fixed schedule or as the teacher advises, between
learning modalities, at least one of which is online learning. Other modalities include face-
to-face instruction – working in a small group or full class through group work/projects,
1:1 tutoring, and pencil-and-paper assignments. Students mostly learn by attending the
brick-and-mortar school.
As the graph above shows, the rotation model has four different subcategories that are
worth exploring further.
Station Rotation
Most commonly used in elementary schools, the station rotation model allows students to
rotate through stations within a classroom as group members.
Lab Rotation
This model requires students to rotate to a computer lab for the online-learning station. It
offers flexible scheduling arrangements with teachers and paraprofessionals.
Individual Rotation
It allows students to rotate through stations but only on the stations that are set by the
teacher or software algorithm. Students don’t need to rotate to every station but only to the
individual activities scheduled on their playlists.
Flipped Classroom
This model ‘flips’ the traditional role of each learning space. Students get to learn from
home through online coursework and watching lectures, and they engage in group
exercises, projects, and discussions with the guided support of the teacher.
The flipped classroom is a favorite amongst teachers and students, and it looks like it will
be the future of education. This is because it effectively uses the two ends of the spectrum –
online and offline learning.
Flex Model
The flex model allows students to have more control over their learning. Most learning
happens online, but there are instances where additional face-to-face support and class-
time instruction is needed. Students learn as part of a fluid schedule that is customized to
each individual.
A La Carte Model
The A La Carte model – most popular in high schools, offers students the flexibility to take
an online course with an online teacher of record that complements the learning
experiences of face-to-face courses at a brick-and-mortar school.
Enriched Virtual Model
The enriched virtual model allows students to complete the majority of their coursework
online but also attend school for face-to-face learning sessions. This model doesn’t require
daily school attendance like the flipped classroom, but it’s not a fully online course either
because some kind of attendance, e.g., twice a week, is required.
All of these blending learning models have a common goal. That is to move from a teacher-
centered to a more learner-centered approach, improving student success.
