Blended learning can be fantastic for teachers and students alike. It will help you expand your efforts in teaching while enhancing the quality of learning.

In this article We'll explain to you the concept of blended learning including some instances, as well as the various blended learning strategies that you could implement into your daily routine.

((toc))

What exactly is blended learning?

Blended learning is an approach of teaching that blends the classroom experience in person with supplemental e-learning, whether it's through online discussions as well as extra synchronous or Asynchronous classes, or any other tasks that are project-based. Blended learning combines the very best of traditional learning-the energy and focus of the live classroom, with the flexibility and accessibility of e-learning.

Since its beginning over the years, the term "Blended learning" is utilized to define 1. Combining delivery media, 2. Mixing methods of instruction, and 3. mixing in-person and online instruction, but now we mostly use the word "mix" to refer to a combination of online and in-person instruction.1

Even in the traditional classroom the use of blended learning has become the norm rather than the one-off. A recent study of UK universities showed that 69% of them were planning to implement blended learning, while 82% reported that they were seeing a higher need for blended learning. Also, in 2021 (during the outbreak), 60% of all US college students were taking at least one online class. Online education is estimated to be $257.7 billion in value in 2027.

Although we associate a burst in learning online with the spread of AIDS, universities and colleges have supported online learning for decades-especially supplemental learning in online forums or initiatives. The process has been made easier by the edtech tools and programs for online learning, such as Blackboard as well as Canvas.

The accessibility to online education has become so widespread that in 2023, the University of California decided to eliminate a hole in their system-it had so many courses accessible online that students could obtain an online degree for way cheaper (they added the requirement of residency).

It's not just intended for K-12 or higher education. Every type of education that exists, whether it's corporate education or the start of an online course business, blended learning can be used to mix the very best of live learning (the engagement, the topic flexibility, and the discussion) together with the very best of online learning (the accessibility ).

    Blended learning may mean:

• Blending at the activity level: when one learning activity is in place online and in-person.        
  
• Course-level blending: When the course is in-person as well as online materials.        
  
• Blending at the program level: Blending is common to a course of study, however not with specific courses or other activities.        
  

1. See the discussion in Chapter 1 in Curtis J. Bonk and Charles R. Graham, The Handbook of Blended Learning Global Perspectives and Local Design (John Wiley & Sons 2005).

Here are a few blended learning figures

• 83% of university students feel that online education is more efficient ( Erudera ).      
  
• The majority of all college and university students would like at least some of their learning to be online (and 41% would prefer to be completely on the internet) ( UNESCO ).      
  
• A survey of new college students from 2022 revealed that 27% of them prefer blended learning, and 29% prefer completely online learning. This is a change from the historic figures, yet still significant ( New America ).      
  
• It is estimated that there are 2.79 million U.S. post-secondary students doing their degrees on the internet ( NCES ).      
  
• From 2019-2020 the pandemic triggered post-secondary online instruction to rise from 37 percent to 74%. .      
  

Blended learning systems

Blended learning can only happen due to the growth of blended learning platforms, the technological requirements to teach at-scale online. The blended learning system is constantly evolving and growing and incorporating new features constantly being added.

For example the Mighty Co-Host(tm) can create course outlines using AI. These capabilities will keep evolving and adjusting blended learning in line with technology evolves.

 Start Free Trial Free Trial

Blended learning vs. hybrid learning: What's the difference?

The words "blended learning" as well as "hybrid learning" are frequently utilized interchangeably. Sometimes "hybrid" refers to the combination of both students who are in person and online in the same class (sort like the way we define a hybrid event)--while blended learning is typically described as the combination of in-person and online education for every learner.

Advantages of blended learning

There are numerous advantages of learning online, and one of the easiest ways to define them is to say that it provides the greatest of both worlds! Because both in-person and online learning have positives and benefits, blended learning allows students to benefit from each option and minimize the negatives.

This balance makes up the sweet spot to learn blended. As an example, online learning may be isolated. However, blended learning allows you to meet with other students once in a while to make friends!

A New America survey on blended learning within community colleges found that the most important reasons why students favored blended learning included the possibility of setting time slots that are flexible, the opportunity to make friends in class, a feeling of higher-quality education, a reduction in commute time, and a reason to get out of the comfort of their homes.

Blended learning benefits that go along with learning in-person

• Flexibility: Online learning lets students learn in the convenience of their own home, and online education can be conducted at the student's own ease. Learning can become a possibility for people with other commitments to balance (e.g. the parent working a job currently ).    
  
• Accessibility: Learning through blended learning can be more accessible to different types of learning, allowing learners follow their own path.      
  
• Environmentally friendly: There's no need for classrooms (or cooling or heating systems, nor electricity). Learning online is environmentally friendly as well as cost-effective.    
  
• Scalable: Even blended learning offers scale. If, for instance, you had to teach three intro classes, you could combine these all into a single online discussion group.    
  
• Easier than ever: Tech for online learning is always getting higher-quality and easier to access.    
  

The benefits of blended learning that are associated with learning in-person

• Engaging: If students have trouble paying attention online, live learning can enhance this.      
  
• Making connections: Students attending classes together can build meaningful connections and friendships.      
  
• Flexible: In-class learning offers flexibility of a different kind, the instructor can alter the topics and discussions as students take part in the classroom.      
  

Blended learning examples

• A college instructor adds the requirement of a virtual component in their course, such as, engaging in a virtual discussion room and writing blog posts on the reading, or working on an Asynchronous project for class members.        
  
• Walmart offers its customers the one Global Walmart Academy that combines online and live learning experiences in its 2.3 million associates.      
  
• Amazon has built classrooms inside their fulfillment centers to teach employees how to use skills, both relevant to the work they do at Amazon and those not. The centers offer upskilling opportunities to highly sought-after careers.    
  
• Many executive MBA courses mix online and live instruction to make up for the hectic schedules of MBA students. Many work full time while finishing their MBA degrees.      
  
• The U.S. Government's Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy helps to train federal employees through a mix of virtual and live instruction.      
  
• University of Phoenix is famous for its online courses, however students also have the option of taking in-person classes, making for the degree of blended learning.      
  

Blended e-learning

Another option to incorporate blended learning. This is blended online learning. Instead of mixing in-person with virtual learning, blended e-learning blends elements of both time-based and synchronous learning an online platform.

For instance, you could have an asynchronous course that's enabled with virtual online events, live chats and discussion groups in real-time. Also, it's possible to teach a class live through a livestreaming function however the recorded version is available after along with an asynchronous discussion board.

Like blended learning, blended online learning brings many of benefits of an in-person classroom to learning via e-learning. The benefits include the energy of live sessions as well as the discussion and interactions that occur live, and the adaptability you can bring students' concerns.

It's the difference that everything happens via an online platform. All the convenience and all the flexibility together.

 Start Your Free Trial

Blended Learning strategies

1. You can try a flip classroom

A common method of blended learning is called a flipped classroom. In this model, students engage with readings or lectures at home. Then, class time is devoted to discussion or participation.

This can be tough to succeed within K-12 education but it's doable (younger learners often need parental support). The approach is employed extensively in higher education and is similar to the "tutorial" method of teaching that has been around for many centuries (it's the foundation of the Oxbridge system ).

2. Let the learning objectives guide

Blending learning should be guided by the factors that help you to reach your goals for learning most effectively. Although it may sound obvious however, you could make use of each of the advantages of both online and live-based learning in order to achieve various learning goals. A classroom that is flippable is one of the best examples.

3. Choose great tech

The tech you choose for facilitating blended learning is going to affect the success of your blended learning program. Obviously, whatever attributes you're searching for on a blended learning platform need to be robust and functional. The features should work well and be easy for the students to both use and navigate.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Beware of complicated stacks of technology. Find options that allow you to incorporate the blended learning capabilities that you'd like while not mixing up and matching the software, which can cause more hassles.      
  
• Contact IT. If your institution has an internal IT department Check if there are existing solutions.      
  
• If interoperability is something you think about, if you need to made sure that your blended learning tech jives with existing learning and student management systems.        
  

 Start Free Trial Free Trial

4. Do your best to make the internet count

One of the most common methods for blended learning to fail is by putting all the responsibility on live sessions, and making online participation optional. Online component of blended learning should not feel like an addition or added-on. Make it count and give real learning goals for online learning.

In particular, an optional discussion space is a recipe for low uptake. Consider incorporating 10 reflections on discussion and 10 comments to other reflective reflections in your course (e.g. with 1% of each worth 20% of your total grade). If you put skin in the blended learning game increases the likelihood that it will work well.

5. Do not duplicate the classroom experience online

Blended learning offers a virtually infinite number of learning opportunities. Replicating the activities of a classroom in a virtual setting can seem like a waste of time.

For example, a lecture is acceptable.

• What about letting students view a film together in virtual chat?        
  
• Applying a theoretical concept to popular films?        
  
• Or trying an online video game that is compatible with the themes of your course?        
  
• In addition, how about creating their own blog site or web page?        
  
• Also, sharing on social media regarding subjects of the course?        
  

The sky is the limit, so be creative about using the internet to create formats.

6. Do not create synchronous and Asynchronous the division

It's easy to think that classes should be synchronous and online should be asynchronous. However, this isn't the case. Online activities can be scheduled to be synchronous through the usage of live videos, chats and more. However, in-person events don't need to be simultaneous.

If you're trying to decide between either asynchronous or synchronous learning This chart will aid you in understanding the different types of learners that they best suit:

7. Orient students

Instead of slapping students at blended learning, host a session in the classroom (even in the computer lab, when you're able to access) to get them started in the online aspect of your class. Utilize this opportunity to teach your students how to connect to the blended learning platform, as well as how to make use of different features and perhaps even do some work together.

A good understanding of the platform can increase the likelihood of learners getting the most out of the platform. And technical difficulties are one of the top barriers to blended learning.

8. Read your data

Since blended learning comes on software platforms, you get an opportunity to interact with the data. The data you collect can provide an insight into what's working and what isn't with regards to the implementation of blended learning.

Be sure to review the data frequently.

9. Connect to a group of practice

The process of integrating blended learning of every type can be difficult to those who are new. Find communities of practice in which you can discuss and gain knowledge from those who are utilizing blended learning effectively.

Blended learning platforms

1.

is a social and course platform that comes with a powerful toolset to host discussions, livestreaming or running live events with both synchronous as well as asynchronous classes.

A blended learning system, it's a great choice for corporate and brand-related learning-with options for a branded app by using Mighty Pro. And for those running an online course or training business, it gives you everything you need for monetization-building packages, managing checkouts, and charging in 135 different currencies.

2. Moodle

Moodle is an institutional learning management system that comes with a lot of different types of content, along with a great set of engagement features for collaborative learning such as discussion forums, collaborations, or messaging.

3. Canvas By Instructure

Canvas is a great tool to create an institutional learning hub that includes a strong LMS, good engagement tools, solid mobile apps (better than Moodle), and the Learning Tool Interoperability (LTI) compatibility to work with an institution's IT system.

4. Blackboard Learn

One of the more common institutions LMS options that has lots of assignments and grading features as well as a number of good collaboration features (like the discussion board and live meeting features). The dashboard is easy to use by students and administrators.

Conclusion

Blended learning can be a challenge to try if it's your first time. But if done well it will provide amazing opportunities for learning and to expand the scope of your teaching. I hope that this guide will get you excited to try blended learning, and you are ready to bring your teaching online!

If you want to test Mighty's blend learning platform, you are able to test it for free for 14 days-no credit card needed.