Blended Learning- EDA 6275 25Spring

Blended learning stands out among teaching methods

Teaching can both be simple and complex depending on who is doing it and how they are doing it- teaching method. Traditionally, teaching was totally teacher-centered. Teachers knew it all, and they would stand before students in a classroom all day long to dispense knowledge. This method persisted for a time but had its share of challenges including limiting students and overburdening the teachers. As time went by, different teaching methods evolved and continue to evolve. Blended learning is one such evolution.

Blended learning uses both the traditional teaching method and online teaching methods, which integrates a diverse range of online interactive teaching materials. Discovery and inclusion of the computer in education is the interface upon which blended learning rests. In blended learning, the teacher (she) is viewed as a facilitator of learning. She is in class to guide the students as they go through learning experiences in the computers or any other given gadgets. This is because as the learners go through structured learning processes in the computers, they need a personal physical touch and will have questions to which the teacher will be required to explain.

Some advantages of blended learning include the following:

It is flexible

Human beings are wired for flexibility and free choice and students learn best if they have some sense of autonomy. Students are given time to learn at their pace and consult teachers whenever they need without pressure. Students may be working on one concept but using different ways to understand and solve it. 

It improves connection between a teacher and her students

The tone of a consulted teacher is more personalized than that of a boss teacher. Communication and collaboration between them gets better when they interact in a one on one basis. This makes the learning process even more interesting. 

It improves creativity and critical thinking

As the process becomes more learner-centered, students take a responsibility of their learning. They are enthused to explore and think the solution themselves. Such students are bound to keep in memory the hard sought for facts. It is thus an effective method of teaching.

It is personalized

Students and teachers can track the progressing of learning with ease. Some platforms will automatically advance the learner into a next step of a learning concept upon demonstration of mastery in a current area.

It important for teachers to note that advance in online learning platforms continue to increase. Therefore, they should ensure that the platform of choice is easy to use and up-to-date. This will make it very reliable for the students and do away with any frustrations that they may face.