Blended+Learning+Environment

What is Blended Learning?
Blended learning environment integrates the advantages of e-learning method with some advantageous aspects of traditional method, such as face-to-face interaction. Blended learning brings traditional physical classes with elements of virtual education together (Finn & Bucceri, 2004).

As Brown (2003) stated that blended learning supports all the benefits of e-learning including cost reductions, time efficiency and location convenience for the learner as well as the essential one-on-one personal understanding and motivation that face to face instructions presents.

The success of a Blended Learning Environment depends on creating a balance that is best for the students and community the school is to serve. Blended learning is also referred to as Hybrid learning. Hybrid courses or units are not meant to replace a face-to-face course but rather to support and facilitate the course.




 * There are five key ingredients that emerge as important elements of a blended learning environment:**


 * 1. Live Events**: Synchronous, instructor-led learning events in which all learners participate at the same time, such as in a live "virtual classroom."


 * 2. Online Content**: Learning experiences that the learner completes individually, at his own speed and on his own time, such as interactive, Internet-based or CD-ROM training.


 * 3. Collaboration**: Environments in which learners communicate with others, for example, e-mail, threaded discussions and online chat.


 * 4. Assessment**: A measure of learners’ knowledge. Pre-assessments can come before live or self-paced events, to determine prior knowledge, and post-assessments can occur following scheduled or online learning events, to measure learning transfer.


 * 5. Reference Materials**: On-the-job reference materials that enhance learning retention and transfer, including PDA downloads, and PDFs.

More about the five key ingredients:

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Class ideas using Blended Learning:

Websites for Blended Learning Environments

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