Page 97 - BLENDED LEARNING

Online phase activities
Both asynchronous and synchronous modes have been employed. Asynchronous
activities involve three main elements: text, task and outcome. The simplest and
most straightforward task involves a set text or texts which participants read and
summarise, comment upon or apply to a specific situation or issue (the task), the
outcome being an extension of knowledge and application in the management area
concerned. Either the text is common to all participants, or is unique to each one.
The latter is more problematic, since it can be difficult to find up to a dozen different
texts which are all relevant to the specific module topic common to all participants.
An example of a task with shared texts – participants are directed to read a number
of texts on the idea of the learning organisation, and then respond to the following
questions in the discussion forum:
1. What do you think the ideas of Personal Mastery; Shared Vision; Team Learning;
Mental Models and Systems Thinking mean to your organisation?
2. Do you think your organisation possesses any or all of these characteristics?
(which? give examples?)
3. How could you go about instigating these ideas into your LTO?

A more complex task involves a pro forma or template of some sort (the text) which
is then completed with data from each participant’s situation (the task). These are
then posted and form the basis of discussion in which participants compare and
contrast their completions. The outcome is an increased understanding of the
concepts and analytical or management procedures involved. All participants
follow a uniform set of procedures but the outcomes vary since each participant
will be drawing on data unique to their own situation.

A third type of activity involves a task in the form of critical incidents and cases in a
management area, the task being either to evaluate a solution described in the text,
or to propose a situation if one is not offered. The evaluation or the new solution are
posted and discussed. Here is an example of such a case:
Email from agent to sales executive:
Could you please help me in dealing with this case as I received the complaint
from Miss Rong yesterday? She said the meals provided in the host family are
bad. She got several dinners only with some bread and a plate of vegetable,
and also without dessert and fruit (although there is plenty of fruit in the fridge).
She doesn’t feel eating full in each day.
Her host family is also very strict with all live in their house. For instance, Miss
Rong wants to buy bike because the host family is very far away from the school,
however, the host family doesn’t allow her to put her bike in their garden, just
allow her to put outside. They are not friendly enough to Miss Rong, and she feels
really upset to live there.
I wonder that how we can help Miss Rong in this case, if your colleague to discuss
this case with Miss Rong’s host family, Miss Rong is afraid that they will unhappy
with her and her life to live there will be more difficult. Can I have your advice?

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