The blended approach to learning

PAUL NYAUSARU

The blended approach to learning combines face to face classroom methods with computer-mediated activities to form an integrated instructional approach.

In the past, digital materials have served in a supplementary role, helping to support face to face instruction.

For example, a blended approach to a traditional, face to face course might mean that the class meets once per week instead of the usual number of sessions.

Learning activities that otherwise would have taken place during classroom time can be transmitted online.

The question that may arise is “Why blend?” The goal of a blended approach is to join the best aspects of both face to face and online instruction.

Classroom time can be used to engage learners in advanced interactive experiences.

Meanwhile, the online portion of the course can provide learners with multimedia-rich content at any time of day, anywhere the student has internet access, while travelling, in the restaurant or the learners’ home.

This allows for an increase in scheduling flexibility for students.

How then do you blend? There are no hard and fast rules in place to prescribe what the ideal blend might be.

The term “blended” encompasses a broad continuum and can include any integration of face to face and online instructional content.

The blend of face to face and online materials will vary depending on the content, the needs of the leaner and the preferences of the instructor.

Creating a high-quality blended instruction can present considerable challenges.

Foremost is the need for resources to create the online materials to be used in the courses.

Materials development is a time and labour intensive process, just as it is in any instructional medium. In addition, blended instruction is likely to be a new concept to many learners.

Instructional designers involved in course development or redesign will need to be able to answer questions related to:

What blended instruction is?

Why blended instruction is employed?

How best to leverage the advantages of a blended approach?

However, the following are some of the benefits that accrue from embracing the blended learning approach:

λ Better knowledge retention because individual learning styles are catered for

λ  Less time spent training, more time spent working (self-paced and to the point)

λ Better employee productivity because of better knowledge retention

λ Since the e-learning component can be done anywhere (wherever there is an internet connection), at any time, employees can spend less time away from home and more time with their families.

λ Blended learning can be used as a Just-In-Time intervention, e.g. if you need to give a presentation, you can do a quick course on “How to do a presentation” the night before.

λ You can easily return to a course to look up information that you have learnt before but don’t quite remember well. The lesson will be exactly the same as the previous time.

λ Consistency of learning material and its delivery.

Paul Nyausaru is an HR Practitioner and leadership coach. For all your HR interventions and leadership development training you can get in touch with him on WhatsApp/call +263774062756 or Email pnyausaru@gmail.com