Blended Learning

Advantages and Disadvantages

in the Classroom

A L L A V. K R A S U L I A
P 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 E
[email protected]
 Language education

 Language education refers

to the process and practice
of acquiring a second/
foreign language.
 It primarily is a branch
of applied linguistics,
however can be considered
an interdisciplinary field.
 Language education

Increasing globalization has created a great need for people in the

workforce 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 major

growth point in the English Language Teaching (ELT)
industry over the last ten years is blended learning. It
combines 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, 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
computer-mediated activities regarding content and delivery.
 Blended learning is also used in professional development and
training settings.
 A lack of consensus on a definition of blended learning has led to
difficulties in research on its effectiveness in the classroom.
 Blended learning is also highly context-dependent and therefore a
universal 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 the
1960s, the formal terminology to describe it did not take its
current form until the late 1990s.
In 2006, the term became more concrete with the publication
of the first Handbook of Blended Learning by Bonk and
Graham.
Models of
Blended
Learning
 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 many
implementations use some, many, or even all of these as
dimensions of larger BL strategy.
 These models, for the most part, are not mutually exclusive.
 There are many components that can comprise a BL model,
including:
instructor-delivered content, e-learning, webinars,
conference calls, live or online sessions with instructors,
and other media and events, e.g., Facebook, e-mail, chat
rooms, blogs, podcasting, Twitter, YouTube, Skype and web
boards.
  Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Education
 University of Tartu, Estonia
“Students’ Perceptions of Educational Value and
Effectiveness of Integrating Electronic Gadgets (Mobile
Phones/Tablets) with Teaching-Learning Activities in the
EFL Classroom”
Courses I am taking
 Advantages of blended learning

 Blended instruction is more effective than purely face-to-face

or purely online classes.
 BL methods can also result in high levels of student
achievement more effective than face-to-face learning.
 By using a combination of digital instruction and one-on-one
face time, students can work on their own with new
concepts which frees teachers up to circulate and support
individual students who may need individualized attention.
 Rather than playing to the lowest common denominator – as
they would in a traditional classroom – teachers can now
streamline their instruction to help all students reach their full
potential.
 Advantages of blended learning

 BL facilitates a simultaneous independent and collaborative

learning experience for university students.
 The use of information and communication technologies has
been found to improve student attitudes towards learning.
 By incorporating IT into class projects, communication between
lecturers and part-time students has improved, and students
were able to better evaluate their understanding of course
material via the use of computer-based qualitative and
quantitative assessment modules.
 BL also has the potential to reduce educational expenses, and
lower costs by putting classrooms in the online space and it
essentially replaces pricey textbooks with electronic devices.
 Advantages of blended learning

 BL gives the opportunity for data collection and

customization of instruction and assessment as two major
benefits of this approach. It includes software that
automatically collects student data and measures academic
progress, providing teachers, students and parents detailed
students’ data (e.g. Stuudium in Estonia). Often, tests are
automatically scored, providing instantaneous feedback.
Student logins and work times are also measured to ensure
accountability.
 Schools with BL programs may also choose to reallocate
resources to boost student achievement outcomes.
 Students with special talents or interests outside of the
available curricula use educational technology to advance
their skills or exceed grade restrictions.
 Advantages of blended learning

 BL allows for personalized education, replacing the

model where a teacher stands in front of the classroom
and everyone is expected to stay at the same pace. It
allows students to work at their own pace, making sure
they fully understand new concepts before moving on.
 A classroom environment that incorporates BL naturally
requires learners to demonstrate more autonomy, self-
regulation, and independence in order to succeed.
 This virtual learning environment helps connect
professors with students without physically being
present, thus making this a ‘virtual café’.
 Advantages of blended learning

 The advantages of BL are dependent on the

quality of the programs being implemented.
Some indicators of excellent dependent
programs 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 have

disadvantages in technical aspects since it has a strong
dependence on the technical resources or tools with
which the BL experience is delivered. These tools need to
be reliable, easy to use, and up to date, for them to have a
meaningful impact on the learning experience.
 IT literacy can serve as a significant barrier for students
attempting to get access to the course materials, making the
availability of high-quality technical support paramount.
 Other aspects of BL that can be challenging is group work
because of difficulties with management in an online
setting.
 Disadvantages of blended learning

 The use of lecture recording technologies can result in

students falling behind on the materials. In a study
performed across four different universities, it was found
that only half of the students watched the lecture videos
on a regular basis, and nearly 40% of students watched
several weeks’ worth of videos in one sitting.
 From an educator’s perspective, most recently, it has been
noted that providing effective feedback is more time-
consuming (and therefore more expensive) when
electronic media are used, in comparison to traditional
(e.g. paper-based) assessments.
 Disadvantages of blended learning

 Using e-learning platforms can be more time consuming

than traditional methods and can also come with new costs
as e-learning platforms.
 Another critical issue is access to network infrastructure.
Although the digital divide is narrowing as the Internet
becomes more pervasive, many students do not have access
to the Internet, even in their classrooms. Any attempt to
incorporate BL strategies into an organization’s pedagogical
strategy needs to account for this. This is why learning
centers are built with good Wi-Fi connections to make sure
this issue is addressed.
 EduTech in Empowering
Foreign Language Education

 Great success often comes from great collaborations,

so it is exciting to see how educational technology (EduTech) is
giving both students and teachers more opportunities to
network through the use of collaborative tools
such as Google Docs, online calendars,
and virtual workrooms.
Plus, Skype, email, and even texting allow
us to stay in touch with each other
and meet colleagues from
around the world.
Thank you!