A simple definition
of blended learning describes this concept as a combination of classroom-based
methods and computer-mediated activities, or classroom learning combined with
online learning and mobile learning. Thus everything is changing and nobody
has time for study, anymore. So, this traditional blended learning form is now
adopted in education and training and the approach is very clear: all the
course resources can be delivered online while the real interaction between
teachers/trainers and student/trainees should be in classroom.
If evaluating some of
the most popular e-learning platforms such as Moodle or Dokeos, they obviously
comply with the traditional blended learning requirements. They provide
flexible individual study features (time and space independence during the
learning act) based on a well-defined course structure. In addition, they
support classroom-based activities and enable teachers/trainers to easily
analyze the students'/trainees' tasks by using advanced statistics and suggestive
reports.
Even if the
e-learning technology has its limitations, it is obvious this is the future in
education and training while it can assure the flexibility and availability of
advanced services. In terms of education/training, it means that real classroom
can be extended over the Internet and the collaborative learning/training activities
to be accomplished within a hybrid environment composed by the real and virtual
classrooms where teachers/trainers and students/trainees interact each other
for building the knowledge and developing soft skills. From the material point
of view, the educational service providers can be sure their services can
surpass the barriers of real classroom in order to enlarge their sphere of
influence, reach more students/trainees and increase the income with minimum of
effort.
The question is now “How can we enlarge our sphere of influence, get
more students/trainees and increase income with minimum of effort?”
In order to answer the question above, the following aspects should
be taken into consideration:
- Implementation of the most appropriate technology that provides with individual study and (a)synchronous collaborative learning/training capabilities;
- Control to be kept on teachers’/trainers’ side while students/trainees benefit by flexibility and mobility during the learning/training processes;
- Improvement of educational content with multimedia learning objects and its delivery in a compact format / interactive manner;
- Knowledge assessment in a blended mode that includes the evaluation of theory, study progress during the learning/training act, as well as results of problem- and project based learning sessions.
