Blended education.... an intervention for the new generation?

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.

The advantages of distance education

With the need to education becoming increasingly more, universities have to find innovative ways on how to hold up the masses.

Although sometimes considered as second best, distance learning has become the answer to many a prayers and the solution to the mass universities are struggling with.

Not just a can you continue with your everyday working routine and tend to your family and other commitments, but you will be able to attend to a full time study course.

What is the value of distance learning, the answer to that is simple, it depends solely on you as the student.  The advantages of distance learning however allows for:

Flexibility

Probably being the biggest advantage of distance education is that depending on your diary and the responsibilities you have you can fit your study time to a time that best suits you. 

Saves time and money

These courses are most of the time a whole lot cheaper for the same quality material, you will also be saving on university accommodation as well as on commuting.

Convenient

Having the luxury of studying for your own home, you can sit in you PJ’s and do the required tasks.  It’s sometimes as easy as dropping your assignment off at the post office and or submitting it online.

Self and community empowerment

Changing you career and future prospects wherever you are not matter how rural the area.  Being from a rural area will allow you to educate those around you as well showing them that everything is possible.

24/7 access to study material and other students

Be included in university life through contact with other students through online learning environments, as well as through direct contact with your lecturers via the provided forums, through emails or by phone.

Although the over-dependence on technology, the lack of discipline or the fact that there is little to no direct contact with faculty could be a few disadvantages of distance learning, many studies have shown this to be a valuable and efficient way of education.   Just believe in yourself and make the best of the opportunities presented.

 

Innovative Education Trends In 2014

Whether you are one of the first years who have to own a tablet for this year’s studies or whether you are a teacher looking for new ways to inspire your students, here are a few innovative trends in education for this year… and most of them is about increasing access to information…

Online Collaborative Learning

We spend a lot of time online, sharing information. It only seems natural for learning to take the same course. Online independent learning can happen a lot easier because of the online skills that many students already have. This model is great for collaboration, allowing students to benefit from shared memory and shared resources. Just imagine study groups online, where you will be able to talk about articles, books and ideas that will help each other.

Online Resources and Textbooks

Many often consider online learning as a static learning process with little interaction. Many of the online resources that we will be seeing reenacts face-to-face learning experiences, so the classroom will physically be represented online with the help of video and audio mediums. Sharing digital resources is also a lot more efficient – you no longer have to wait for your textbook to arrive at your local bookstore (and chances are that you can access them on your smartphone or tablet).

Social Media for Learning

87% of Facebook and 85% of Twitter users in South Africa are accessing these platforms on their mobile phone and with South Africa having a mobile penetration well over 100%, social media is going to become important in providing students with access to information and encourage them to participate in conversation. Challenges still exist in proving the credibility of this medium, although we should be seeing a lot more interaction between educators, students and industry specialists on platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

The Flipped Classroom

Many learning institutions have a structure where most of the time spent in class includes an educator delivering information to the students and then, by use of a textbook, it is up to the student to read the relevant chapters. The idea of the flipped classroom allows students to access information how they want to, allowing them to absorb the information in a way that is best suited to them. This might include watching videos, listening to podcasts, collaborating with peers online for example.

Regardless of what you are studying, remember that we offer loans for textbooks, study-related equipment, laptops and tablets to ensure that you have everything you need to help you during your studies! Contact us today to find out how we can assist you!