Page 4 - Blended learning eBook 3

Why our ecosystem should opt for blended learning approach?

For blended learning to be successful at any ecosystem in requires the involvement

of all different players in the identified ecosystem. I many aspects the Organisational
readiness is the key part that allows an institution to successfully implement the

blended learning approach. This is inclusive of teachers and students having a well
versed understanding of how the approach will be conducted such as pedagogy as

well as the technology that will be used. Digital literacy skills is also an essential

perquisite for blended learning for students and teachers to fully participate and to
apply effective learning.

What are the modalities of blended learning in an ecosystem?

At various times there are misconceptions of the method in which a blended learning
approach would need to be applied in an ecosystem. For example, having students

read online materials online without them reflecting on what they are reading can
perhaps not be constituted as blended learning. Similarly, having students use a

specific technology without specific outcomes can also not be classified as having a

blended learning approach. Thus, therefore means that teachers need to influence the
use of technology to personalise and streamline the learning process for students that

makes blended learning an effective way to maximise the impact of teacher time

through direct instruction. Various models exist in how an institution opts to implement
a blended learning model.

Any given institution should then, therefore, design and adopt a model that would suit
the needs of the teachers, students, and community to achieve the best outcomes.

During the Online Post, the model that is envisaged particularly befitting the described
ecosystem is the “supplemental blended model”. The “supplemental model” of blended

learning leverages online course components to help enrich the face-to-face

classroom. In the supplemental model, there is typically no real reduction in classroom
meeting time.

During the “Supplemental Blended Learning” students complete either entirely online
work to supplement their day-to-day face-to-face learning, or entirely face-to-face

learning experiences to supplement the learning gained in online courses and
activities.