Blended Learning Advantages And Disadvantages In

Blended LearningAdvantages and Disadvantagesin the ClassroomA L L A V. K R A S U L I AP H D I N E D U C AT I O N S C I E N C E ,SENIOR LECTURER,S U M Y S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y, U K R A I N EKRASALLA77@GMAIL.COM

Language education Language education refersto the process and practiceof acquiring a second/foreign language. It primarily is a branchof applied linguistics,however can be consideredan interdisciplinary field.

Language educationIncreasing globalization has created a great need for people in theworkforce who can communicate in multiple languages: communicative competencies proficiencies cross-cultural experiences multiple literacies

Language Education & Blended Learning There are many approaches, methods, and techniques(strategies) of teaching languages. One of the teaching strategies that has been a majorgrowth point in the English Language Teaching (ELT)industry over the last ten years is blended learning. Itcombines face-to-face teaching with distance education,either computer-based or web-based.

Blended Learning (BL) BL is an education program that combines online digital media with traditional classroom methods.It requires the physical presence of both teacher and student, withsome element of student control over time, place, path, or pace.While students still attend “brick-and-mortar” schools with ateacher present, in-person classroom practices are combined withcomputer-mediated activities regarding content and delivery.Blended learning is also used in professional development andtraining settings.A lack of consensus on a definition of blended learning has led todifficulties in research on its effectiveness in the classroom.Blended learning is also highly context-dependent and therefore auniversal conception of it is hard to come by.

Definition of Blended Learning“Blended learning”is used interchangeably in research literature as“personalized learning”, “differentiated instruction”,“hybrid learning”, “technology-mediated instruction”,“web-enhanced instruction”, “mixed-mode instruction”.The concepts behind blended learning first developed in the1960s, the formal terminology to describe it did not take itscurrent form until the late 1990s.In 2006, the term became more concrete with the publicationof the first Handbook of Blended Learning by Bonk andGraham.

Models ofBlendedLearning

Flipped classroom is a more recent coinage. Students are expected to watch lectures online at home,and do homework while they are in class.

It is important to note: Even BL models can be blended together and manyimplementations use some, many, or even all of these asdimensions of larger BL strategy. These models, for the most part, are not mutually exclusive. There are many components that can comprise a BL ning,webinars,conference calls, live or online sessions with instructors,and other media and events, e.g., Facebook, e-mail, chatrooms, blogs, podcasting, Twitter, YouTube, Skype and webboards.

Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Education University of Tartu, Estonia“Students’ Perceptions of Educational Value andEffectiveness of Integrating Electronic Gadgets (MobilePhones/Tablets) with Teaching-Learning Activities in theEFL Classroom”

Courses I am taking

Advantages of blended learning Blended instruction is more effective than purely face-to-faceor purely online classes. BL methods can also result in high levels of studentachievement more effective than face-to-face learning. By using a combination of digital instruction and one-on-oneface time, students can work on their own with newconcepts which frees teachers up to circulate and supportindividual students who may need individualized attention. Rather than playing to the lowest common denominator – asthey would in a traditional classroom – teachers can nowstreamline their instruction to help all students reach their fullpotential.

Advantages of blended learning BL facilitatesa simultaneous independent and collaborativelearning experience for university students. The use of information and communication technologies hasbeen found to improve student attitudes towards learning. By incorporating IT into class projects, communication betweenlecturers and part-time students has improved, and studentswere able to better evaluate their understanding of coursematerial via the use of computer-based qualitative andquantitative assessment modules. BL also has the potential to reduce educational expenses, andlower costs by putting classrooms in the online space and itessentially replaces pricey textbooks with electronic devices.

Advantages of blended learning BLgives the opportunity for data collection andcustomization of instruction and assessment as two majorbenefits of this approach. It includes software thatautomatically collects student data and measures academicprogress, providing teachers, students and parents detailedstudents’ data (e.g. Stuudium in Estonia). Often, tests areautomatically scored, providing instantaneous feedback.Student logins and work times are also measured to ensureaccountability. Schools with BL programs may also choose to reallocateresources to boost student achievement outcomes. Students with special talents or interests outside of theavailable curricula use educational technology to advancetheir skills or exceed grade restrictions.

Advantages of blended learning BL allows for personalized education, replacing themodel where a teacher stands in front of the classroomand everyone is expected to stay at the same pace. Itallows students to work at their own pace, making surethey fully understand new concepts before moving on. A classroom environment that incorporates BL naturallyrequires learners to demonstrate more autonomy, selfregulation, and independence in order to succeed. This virtual learning environment helps connectprofessors with students without physically beingpresent, thus making this a ‘virtual café’.

Advantages of blended learning The advantages of BL are dependent on thequality of the programs being implemented.Some indicators of excellent dependentprograms are:*facilitating student learning,*communicating ideas effectively,*demonstrating an interest in learning,*organizing effectively,*showing respect for students,*and assessing progress fairly.

Disadvantages of blended learning Unless successfully planned and executed, BL could havedisadvantages in technical aspects since it has a strongdependence on the technical resources or tools withwhich the BL experience is delivered. These tools need tobe reliable, easy to use, and up to date, for them to have ameaningful impact on the learning experience. IT literacy can serve as a significant barrier for studentsattempting to get access to the course materials, making theavailability of high-quality technical support paramount. Other aspects of BL that can be challenging is group workbecause of difficulties with management in an onlinesetting.

Disadvantages of blended learning The use of lecture recording technologies can result instudents falling behind on the materials. In a studyperformed across four different universities, it was foundthat only half of the students watched the lecture videoson a regular basis, and nearly 40% of students watchedseveral weeks’ worth of videos in one sitting. From an educator’s perspective, most recently, it has beennoted that providing effective feedback is more timeconsuming (and therefore more expensive) whenelectronic media are used, in comparison to traditional(e.g. paper-based) assessments.

Disadvantages of blended learning Using e-learning platforms can be more time consumingthan traditional methods and can also come with new costsas e-learning platforms. Another critical issue is access to network infrastructure.Although the digital divide is narrowing as the Internetbecomes more pervasive, many students do not have accessto the Internet, even in their classrooms. Any attempt toincorporate BL strategies into an organization’s pedagogicalstrategy needs to account for this. This is why learningcenters are built with good Wi-Fi connections to make surethis issue is addressed.

EduTech in EmpoweringForeign Language Education Great success often comes from great collaborations,so it is exciting to see how educational technology (EduTech) isgiving both students and teachers more opportunities tonetwork through the use of collaborative toolssuch as Google Docs, online calendars,and virtual workrooms.Plus, Skype, email, and even texting allowus to stay in touch with each otherand meet colleagues fromaround the world.

Thank you!

Blended Learning (BL) BL is an education program that combines online digital media with traditional classroom methods. It requires the physical presence of both teacher and student, with some element of student control over time, place, path, or pace. While students still attend “brick-and-mortar” schools with a teacher present, in-person classroom practices are combined with