Defining Online and Blended Learning

     

    For a decade, online and blended learning environments have been a big part of my teaching and learning experiences. Even before the pandemic, my students and I utilized various online learning technologies and platforms while working together in a traditional classroom environment. A blended learning environment allows learners to access course content at home using an online learning platform. Learners can also access a conventional classroom environment where face-to-face interaction and engagement with the instructor and their classmates support and facilitate independent distance learning. Students in today's classrooms utilize technology in almost every aspect of their daily lives and expect to expand upon these interactions in school. Conceição & Howles assert, "Value means a learning experience that is flexible, convenient, relevant, and affordable and that provides the skills needed to be a high functional member of the workforce." (Conceição & Howles, 2023, p.2) To better meet the needs of today's learners, innovative and technologically cultivated learning experiences are essential to the future growth of students' professional and personal lives. 

    Thanks to its flexibility and availability, online or blended learning meets students' needs. In an asynchronous online learning environment, students can participate in their learning when it best suits their schedule and access course content from anywhere in the world. This environment can help working professionals or students who may live far from educational institutions and cannot travel from home. Learning in a blended learning environment can meet students' needs in many ways because students learn asynchronously at times and in person with their instructor and peers.  Students needing more time to process information can preview course content ahead of time from home, allowing time to process and understand the information before working with others in person can be a great benefit for some learners. For example, learning in person for students with learning behavior/emotional challenges, learning disabilities, or language barriers can overwhelm students working in a classroom, leading to learning gaps. Lastly, students in a blended learning environment may also learn by participating in a flipped classroom. McPherson and Barcow define a flipped classroom as "In a flipped classroom, lectures are recorded and viewed by students asynchronously. The class time that is freed up from the lecture is then used for more intense, interactive exercises and discussion. (McPherson & Bacow, 2015, p.138) A flipped classroom is an optimal example of what a blended learning environment can do, especially for students looking for an advanced or accelerated learning environment. Students needing more of a challenge have the opportunity to be more in charge of their learning, and it allows the instructor to be more of a support and guide rather than the "sage of the stage."  In conclusion, flipped classrooms may not be optimal for all students, like distance learning isn't for all students. Some students learn better while in person; however, overall, blended learning environments can meet the needs of all students if designed with opportunities for collaboration, instructor support, feedback, and optimal student-centric learner interface design principles. 

    In the future, online and blended learning will continue to grow and possibly be more the "norm" than traditional in-person learning as long learning institutions can keep up with the radical pace of what new technology needs to be successful. Higher learning institutions can lead the way on this and eventually pave the way for students in K-12 public schools. Funding, skeptics, and an inability to support the technological needs of these learning innovations are the major hurdles online and blended learning must conquer to make this learning environment more prevalent than the traditional classroom.

    Adult learners will find online and blended learning experiences everywhere in the corporate world. These modalities will be the solution to growing and improving a company's workforce, and these establishments will be able to apply advancements in learning technology. 

    Whether learners are in public K-12 education, higher education, or the corporate world, if digital learning continues to grow as it has, online and blended learning will expand the students' experiences by providing a more engaging learner-centric ecosystem. Leveraging technology in online and blended learning experiences will provide students with a more individualized learning path.  Both learning environments will see an increase in AI technology to support student learning by providing students with quick feedback regarding their progress, and instructors' roles will change by having more time to interact and help their students, thanks to AI automating many of their administrative tasks. Rafia Shabirr of Educationise.com confirms, "With online resources and personalized learning becoming more common, students can access information and learn at their own pace. Teachers will be there to guide students, answer questions, and provide feedback." (Shabbir, n.d.) Engagement in the online learning environment will improve significantly through AR/VR technology. Implementing this type of technology in the online learning environment will enhance the student experience by providing interactive learning experiences that will engage and motivate students' participation and success as an online student. 

    The blended learning environment will also see significant improvements thanks to the advancements in learning technology. Like online learning, blended learning environments can provide students with a competency-based education, allowing them to move at their own pace with instructor support in a face-to-face environment. Mulengo and Shilongo state, "Hybrid learning environments are ideal for CBE (competency-based education) because they provide the flexibility for students to engage with materials online, complete assessments, and receive feedback according to their individual learning pace." (Mulenga & Shilongo, 2024, p.4) Facilitating CBE in the classroom allows the instructor to meet their students' needs more effectively, creating a more inclusive and individualized learning environment for all students. 

    The future of online and blended learning is limitless as long as technology continues to evolve as it has over the last three decades. The benefits of online and blended learning can improve the learning outcomes for many students through its ability to engage, guide, and tailor teaching and learning to each student's needs. Suppose public learning institutions can support the growth of the learning environment. In that case, education will become more affordable and accessible for learners from diverse backgrounds, resulting in a more educated global society. 

References

Conceição, S. C. O., & Howles, L. (2023). Designing the Online Learning Experience: Evidence-Based Principles and Strategies. Taylor & Francis.

McPherson, M. S., & Bacow, L. S. (2015, Fall). Online higher education: Beyond the hype cycle. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 29(4), 135-0154. doi=10.1257/jep.29.4.135

Mulenga, R., & Shilongo, H. (2024, November 8). Hybrid and blended learning models: Innovations, challenges, and future directions in education. Acta Pedagogia Asiana, 4(1), 1-13. The Society of Tropical Science and Technology, and Tecno Scientifica. https://doi.org/10.53623/apga.v4i1.495

Shabbir, R. (n.d.). The future of education: 8 predictions for the next decade. Educationise. https://educationise.com/post/the-future-of-education-8-predictions-for-the-next-decade/