Blended learning is a strategy that combines face-to-face and online activities,and blends a number of learning styles to create an engaging learning experience for students. The design of these activities is driven by the learning outcomes for the course – what the students should be able to do after completing the course.
Many people visualize learning design on a continuum with face-to-face only teaching at one end and fully on-line teaching at the other. In the middle, we find a variety of hybrid approaches, known as blended learning. Successful blended learning implementations structure self-directed online or out-of the classroom learning activities with engaging in-class activities in an integrative manner. This strategy focuses on active learning, emphasizes reinforcement of concepts and skills across different modalities and contexts , and fosters student engagement.
The timing of blended learning activities can be synchronous (live, in real time) or asynchronous (delayed, at one’s own pace). They can occur during scheduled class time – or outside class, at the students’ convenience.
Examples of blended learning activities include:
- Flipped classroom learning structures
- Face-to-face teaching and group-work
- Reading articles, watching videos, listening to recordings online
- Searching and analyzing information and resources online
- Conducting field research and presenting findings face-to-face or online
- Working in groups to solve problems online – synchronously or asynchronously
- Responding to polls – in-class with iClickers or on-line (LMS or PollEverywhere)
- Collaborative or group concept mapping; in-class or on-line
Please email help@sauder.ubc.ca to connect with a member of the Learning Services team and find out more.