Blended learning is a method of instruction that combines the benefits of face-to-face teaching and online learning. It’s not just for students. Teachers are also increasingly using it as an effective way to deliver content and assessments, track progress, and manage behavior.
Blended learning has been around for decades. However, it was only after the Covid-19 pandemic that students and teachers embraced it with both arms. Online learning gained pace as most educational institutions were shut down due to lockdowns. However, when the schools restarted, a hybrid learning model was established that facilitated blended learning.
According to a McKinsey survey, only 40% of students had access to in-person classes starting in 2020-2021. However, the numbers increased to 98% by the end of the year, with most of them using the hybrid model instead of the traditional 5 days model because of the benefits blended learning offers. Let’s take a closer look at how blended learning benefits students:
What Is Blended Learning?
The term blended learning can mean many things. Hence, there is ambiguity about what it means. However, according to an article published in the Springer Link journal, it is an umbrella term that represents any form of education that includes both face-to-face and online learning.
Blended learning can be accomplished by having students watch videos or instructional materials online before coming to class and then discussing them with an instructor, or vice versa. Students might learn in a classroom environment and then review concepts on their own using an online platform.
While it is often used to supplement traditional classroom learning, blended learning has also been shown as a viable alternative for those students who would otherwise drop out of school altogether.
Is Blended Learning Effective?
The results of blended learning are clear. Students are more engaged and learn better. The same has been documented across multiple studies conducted to measure the effectiveness of blended learning.
One study published on the NCBI website studied the efficacy of learning through an orthopedics course. Two hundred fifty-two students were divided into two groups, and it was found that the scores in the blended learning group were higher compared to traditional learning.
Another study in the Emerald Insight journal shows that blended learning can increase self-efficacy in mathematics. This is also true for any other STEM subjects. If you view STEM videos, it becomes easier to remember the concept.
Hence, if you or your child is facing challenges in STEM learning, you can find any online platform with video resources available. You can choose a reputable platform like Proprep.
Proprep’s STEM videos are bite-sized video tutorials, so you don’t have to remember everything at once. These kinds of videos make it even easier to remember complex concepts. You can select any such online platform for video tutorials and get help with STEM learning.
How Blended Learning Benefits Students
Blended learning benefits students in multiple ways, such as:
It Provides Personalized Instruction
It provides personalized instruction. For example, if a student works on a project for class, the teacher can monitor his progress and ensure he understands the material. This individualized attention helps students learn what they need to learn to succeed in their courses and beyond.
Teachers can also use blended learning to help children struggling with reading comprehension or test anxiety build confidence in these areas by providing extra support. Suppose a child has trouble reading out loud in front of others or taking tests without becoming flustered. In that case, it might be helpful for him or her to have special one-on-one tutoring sessions with an instructor who can work through any issues they’re having while also helping them master underlying concepts necessary for success at school.
This type of personal attention allows students’ skills and abilities as learners rather than their disabilities to drive their education track forward. Providing these kinds of services through blended learning creates academic and personal growth opportunities.
A study published in the Frontiers journal concludes the same. The study analyzed blended learning programs in five public schools. According to the analysis, the instructional reform created with the blend of technology and face-to-face learning creates a personalized student experience.
Students Have More Autonomy and Choice
Students have more autonomy and choice in a blended learning environment. This means they can choose when they study, how much time they spend on each subject, and how they want to learn.
This is important because students are more motivated when they feel their teachers care about them and their education, allowing them to decide what subjects or assignments to focus on. They also enjoy having more control over their lives.
For example, suppose a student wants extra help with math but does not want extra help with English language arts (ELA). In that case, he or she may be able to get the exact amount of assistance needed without being forced into something that doesn’t interest him or her as much.
Students Can Set Their Own Pace
In a blended learning environment, students can set their own pace. This means they can work at the speed best suits them and take breaks if needed. For example, if your student is struggling with a particular lesson or portion of the class, you can allow him or her to take a break before moving forward.
In traditional settings, students are forced to follow one set schedule regarding lectures and tests being handed out. In contrast, blended learning allows for flexibility regarding when each lesson is completed and what types of assignments are given out during this period.
This self-learning is facilitated by eLearning. And this has shown significant benefits to the students. Hence, many educational institutions and private tutors are leveraging eLearning. In fact, the global self-paced eLearning market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2022 to 2027.
It Helps Students Develop Generalizable Tech Skills
You’re probably familiar with the basics of blended learning. The student is taught in a traditional classroom but works on some aspects of their education online. These online components can take many forms, from watching a video to completing an interactive exercise.
But there’s more to it than that. Blended learning also helps students develop generalizable tech skills, skills they can use in real life. Students learn how to use technology for communication and creation and for solving problems, whether through creating an app or designing a website.
Conclusion
In the end, blended learning is a win-win for everyone. Students get personalized instruction, and teachers have more autonomy to be effective in the classroom. This model of education also helps students develop generalizable tech skills that will help them succeed in their future careers.
