Importance of
Using Blended Learning to Boost Student Productivity
Over the years, blended learning, which
combines conventional face-to-face teaching with technology, has grown in
popularity in educational institutions. Faculty can use visuals and online
interactivity to engage students in this type of learning.
In fact, 77 % of academic leaders believe
that online education is on par with or better than face-to-face education and
can be delivered at a lower cost.
Importance of blended learning:
Change may be tough, especially for
professors who have been teaching for years using old techniques. However, when
blended learning becomes more widespread in educational institutions, the
benefits become more apparent, resulting in a higher adoption rate.
1. Monitor and Increase Participation
Blended learning allows teachers to create
a clear roadmap for students, including what is expected of each student and
what is required to achieve the final goal — or grade. Teachers may view and
track each student's development via integrated learning. This method can make
it simpler to spot indicators of a student's struggle or educational strengths
and take appropriate action.
Educators, for example, can look at
analytics to discover which programmes and modules students are interested in.
It's simpler to adapt to and modify each
student's learning behaviours when you know where their passion resides. When
pupils are slipping behind, it is simpler for a teacher to spot the problem and
intervene sooner.
Instructors may examine test results,
course activities, and portfolio assignments by extracting information from an
online learning platform. If a student lags behind in a class, they should
visit a drop-in centre, which provides students with more face-to-face time with
their teacher.
Teachers and students believe that the
centre is an effective approach to pinpoint students' learning challenges and
give individualised training to help them overcome them. Sometimes the answer
is as easy as improving one's organising abilities.
2. Improving Communication
Today's youth are growing up with more
technology than ever before. Changes in communication habits have already been
observed, beginning with millennial. Observing a generation that has grown up
immersed in the digital environment might provide insight into how
communication is changing.
According to research conducted by Live
Person, over 75% of internet users in the United States and the United Kingdom
prefer to converse online rather than in person.
Email
Message sent through text
Use of social media
The findings might mean that blended
learning, which focuses on technology, reaches kids more effectively than
traditional approaches.
Online forums can link instructors and
students more successfully by catering to a student's chosen way of
communication.
3. Makes EdTech Possible
Students are enjoying a more inclusive
learning experience by mixing modern technologies like AR and VR with
traditional teaching techniques.
According to EdTech Review, AR and VR
technology has a broad appeal. Consumers place a 33 % higher value on AR items
than non-AR options.
Two excellent examples of AR and VR in the
classroom are Google Expeditions and Titans of Space. Both provide virtual
field trips, such as solar system tours, to help students learn more about
science. These experiences are a fun and effective method to teach.
Teaching online is becoming more effective
and simple because of the rise of EdTech.
4. Increased Individualization:
The student-to-teacher ratio in the United
States has grown to over 30 pupils per instructor. It might be challenging to
customise courses or comprehend the specific requirements of each student when
class numbers are this high.
This is something that blended learning can
help with.
Individualizing learning modules based on
competency is easier with student-centric, blended learning.
Within the same classroom, students can
proceed at different speeds, allowing teachers to more readily determine
whether kids are more interested in a specific subject or want more attention
in that subject.
5. Economical in nature:
According to a survey by top assignment
help USA experts, blended learning saves money for educators in
a variety of ways. For example, the amount of time spent repurposing material
and the amount of money spent on course preparation is both droppings.
Employee and venue expenses can be reduced
by using virtual tutoring.
According to a Fordham Institute study, the
national average per-pupil expenses for traditional K-12 instruction were over
$10,000.
The cost of virtual schools ranged from
$5,500 to $7,100 per student, while blended learning began at $7,600. Depending
on how much emphasis is placed on face-to-face instruction under the scheme,
rates may increase to about $10,200 per student.
An institution may save nearly half of its expenditures by carefully integrating blended learning.
6.
Increased accessibility and adaptability
Students can access content of best
essay writing services in USA without being constrained by
schedule conflicts because resources are available online.
Smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers
can access online resources, which is the technology we currently use on a
regular basis.
In fact, according to GlobalWebIndex,
internet users aged 18 to 34 spend 3 hours, 38 minutes each day accessing the
web just on their smartphones.
Furthermore, many kids in the United States
do not finish high school. Approximately 7% of high school students drop out
prior to graduation. Worse still, over half of those who begin college do not
complete it within six years.
One conclusion is that the majority of
students who enrol in college but do not complete it are part-time students,
implying that they are balancing school with a job and other obligations.
Because blended learning platforms are
accessible at any time, it is ideal for students who are seeking to complete
their education while still working or raising a family.
7. A higher rate of retention
Blended learning may be more successful at
teaching pupils than traditional face-to-face instruction.
Long Island University (LIU) Brooklyn's
English department is actively experimenting with blended learning as a method
to increase student retention.
To begin, LIU provided iPads to all of its
new students. It is hoped that students' attitudes toward writing would alter
by adding technology components into their lectures.
Despite the fact that the evidence LIU has
gathered is largely qualitative, it is beginning to build a picture of blended
learning having a good influence on retention. According to other research,
studying online can boost retention rates from 25-60%, compared to only 8-10%
for face-to-face learning.
8. Increased effectiveness and enjoyment
Today's students like to study in a number
of methods. Many young pupils are accustomed to and prefer an online
environment as digital natives. Aside from providing enjoyment and happiness to
students, the various styles of education may also be a more effective approach
for pupils to learn.
Blended learning fosters self-learning by
forcing students to seek material online on their own rather than depending on
a lecturer in a classroom environment.
The authors of the book Blended learning:
Uncovering its Transformative Potential in Higher Education argue that blended
learning is effective because, unlike traditional lecture-based teaching, it
allows for more active and meaningful activities in the classroom, which can
lead to increased effectiveness.
9. Strengthens soft skills
Soft skills, or abilities that are
necessary for professional success in the workplace, are organically cultivated
in an online learning environment. In a mixed model, skills like communication,
time management, critical thinking, and teamwork are cultivated.
Elsevier released a study that looked at
how a blended learning approach affected soft skills in a sample of mathematics
students. The opportunity to interact via email or online boosted engagement,
according to their findings
Blended learning helped students gain
confidence and success by allowing them to discuss and vocalise their knowledge
of ideas actively. It was determined that a blended learning course improved
communication abilities.
Blended learning offers instructors new
opportunities to engage and interact with students.
Conclusion:
With declining enrolments and the digital
landscape placing strain on systems, faculty, and syllabuses, adopting blended
learning might help attract a new cohort of students and generate new income.
About Author:
Bronx Saint is a contributing writer to
LiveWebTutors. He is a podcaster, style coach and has been a blogger and a
professional blogger writing about educational skills, personal development, and
motivation since 2010. He operates a team of experts and qualified
professionals who will provide high-quality essay help for Australia
students.