Being bombarded with the infinite
amount of information has changed the way we communicate process information
and think. Innovation and creativity is essential in approaching new methods of
education.
Education in the digital age is
based on how learners are changing the ways they interact, and their increased
ability to create, share and organise their own learning.
The truth of the matter is that
we need to find a way to teach with the available tools that makes it easier
for them to learn. More and more teachers are finding that this breakthrough
method is blended learning.
Blended learning combines the
best of online learning with traditional teaching and is vast becoming the ‘go-to’
tool for both secondary and tertiary institutions.
For instance, most educators in
blended classrooms use some version of a course management system application
to connect with students online. Blackboard and Moodle are
perhaps two of the best known applications used today. Through platforms like
these, students can access video of lectures, track assignments and progress,
interact with educators and peers, and review other supporting materials, like
PowerPoint presentations or articles.
Applications like these give
educators the freedom of alternating between online and the more traditional
teaching methods.
Traditionally an educator would use
their class time to lecture and facilitate supporting material, then give tasks
and projects for students to do on their own time. Within the blended method, educators can
still use their class time to lecture and facilitate material, but could
already have shared this information on an online portal for students to review
at home and on their own pace beforehand. Class time can now be used to discuss
and engage on this content. This creates a much richer environment for content
to be discussed and field related question to be asked, focusing on the
individual rather than the mass.
Rather than making learning
frustrating and impersonal, students are empowered through blended learning to
participate, not only with the teacher, but also with other students.
Instilling such habits at an early age will result in positive change for all.
Although blended education is a
relatively new concept it’s an important one to be aware of. This model has the potential of not only
changing the secondary and tertiary learning environment but also career
development and even continuing education in the future which in effect pose
positive change for the entirety of the population and bodes well for the
future economy.
