Blended learning can be an incredible experience for both students and instructors alike. It will help you expand your learning efforts and improve results in learning.

In this article this article, we'll show you the concept of blended learning, some examples, and the various blended learning strategies that you could implement into your daily routine.

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What exactly is blended learning?

Blended learning can be described as a way of teaching that blends the classroom experience in person and supplementary e-learning whether it's through online discussions as well as extra synchronous or asynchronous classes, or other tasks that are project-based. Blended learning brings the very best of traditional learning-the passion and energy of the live classroom, with the versatility and flexibility of e-learning.

Since its beginning, the term "Blended learning" has been used to describe 1. Combining delivery media, 2. Mixing methods of instruction, and 3. Mixing online and in-person instruction-but today, most people use the term to describe a mix of online and in-person instruction.1

Even in the traditional classroom the use of blended learning has become the rule rather than the exception. A study conducted by UK universities showed that 69% of them were planning to implement blended learning. 82% reported that they were experiencing a greater need for blended learning. Also, in 2021 (during the pandemic), 60% of all US college students were taking at least one course online. Online education is estimated to be $257.7 billion in value before 2027.

While we often associate an increase in online learning with the pandemic, universities and colleges have assisted with online learning for decades-especially supplemental learning through online forums or projects. The process has been made easier by educational technology tools as well as online learning software like Blackboard or Canvas.

The accessibility to online education has become so widespread that in 2023 the University of California decided to shut down a gap in its course offerings. The university had such a wide range of courses offered by online companies that students could get an online diploma for far less money (they brought in a residency requirement).

It's not just intended for K-12 or higher education. For every kind of training which is available, whether that's corporate training or launching an online-based course company, blended learning can be used to combine the best of learning in person (the engagement, the topic flexibility, and the discussion) together with the very best on-line learning (the accessibility ).

    Blended Learning can be used to refer to:

• Activity-level blending: When an activity of learning takes place both in person and on the internet.        
  
• Blending of course levels: If a course includes in-person and online content.        
  
• Blending at the program level: Blending happens throughout a programme of study, but possibly not in specific classes or other activities.        
  

1. Read the chapter 1 discussion in Curtis J. Bonk and Charles R. Graham, The Handbook of Blended Learning Global Perspectives, Local Designs (John Wiley & Sons, 2005).

Here are a few blended learning data

• 85 percent of college students find online learning easier ( Erudera ).      
  
• Eighty-two percent of all university and college students want to have at least a small portion of their education to be online (and 41% of them want to learn completely in online) ( UNESCO ).      
  
• A survey of new college students in 2022 found that 27% of them were in favor of blended learning while 29% favored completely online. A decrease from the previous pandemic figures, yet still significant ( New America ).      
  
• It is estimated that there are 2.79 million U.S. post-secondary students doing their degree on the internet ( NCES ).      
  
• From 2019-2020 The pandemic caused postsecondary online instruction to rise from 37 percentage to 74% .      
  

Blended learning systems

Blended learning can only happen because of the rise of blended learning platforms, the technological requirements for teaching at-scale online. Blended learning systems are always changing and evolving, with new capabilities constantly being added.

As an example the Mighty Co-Host(tm) is able to create outline of courses using AI. These capabilities will keep evolving and transforming blended learning as the tech evolves.

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Blended learning vs. hybrid learning: What's the distinction?

The terms "blended learning" as well as "hybrid learning" can be utilized in conjunction. However, sometimes "hybrid" means the combination of both students who are in person and online in the same room (sort similar to how we describe a hybrid event)--while blended learning predominately describes a mixture of both in-person and online education for every learner.

Advantages from blended learning

There are numerous advantages of learning online, and the simplest way to define them is to say that it provides the greatest of both worlds! As both in-person as well as virtual learning have positives, blended learning lets students get the value of each option and minimize the negatives.

This balance creates the perfect balance to learn blended. Asynchronous online learning is often isolating. Blended learning can help you get together with fellow students occasionally for a social gathering!

A New America survey for blended education in community colleges showed that the most important reasons why students liked blended learning was the possibility of setting time slots that are flexible, the opportunity to make friends in class as well as a greater sense of education, less the commute, and an additional incentive to leave the house.

Benefits of blended learning-associated with in-person learning

• The flexibility of online learning allows learners learn from the comfort at home as well as synchronous online learning that is able to be completed at the student's own comfort. Learning can become a possibility to those with commitments to manage (e.g. the parent who has a job already ).    
  
• Accessibility Learning through blended learning can be more accessible to learners of different kinds, and let them take their time and learn at their own pace.      
  
• Eco-friendly: No necessity for classrooms (or heat/cooling, or electric power). Learning online is environmentally friendly and cost-effective.    
  
• Flexible: Blended learning provides the possibility of scaling. If, for instance, you were teaching 3 introduction classes, you can combine these all into a single online discussion group.    
  
• Easier than ever: Tech for e-learning is constantly getting higher-quality and easier to access.    
  

Benefits of blended learning-associated with in-person learning

• Engaging: If students are struggling to focus to online content, live-learning can enhance this.      
  
• Connecting people: Students attending classes together can build important friendships and networks.      
  
• Flexible: In-class learning is flexible in an entirely different type, and the teacher can adapt the class topics and discussions as students interact with the class.      
  

Blended Learning examples

• A college instructor adds an obligatory virtual element to the curriculum. For instance participating in a virtual discussion room, writing blog posts about the material or working on Asynchronous project for classmates.        
  
• Walmart provides Walmart with the One Global Walmart Academy which mixes live and virtual learning opportunities in its 2.3 million associates.      
  
• Amazon built classrooms into its fulfillment centers in order to train employees skills-both those relevant to the work they do within Amazon and others that do not. They also offer training for in-demand careers.    
  
• Numerous Executive MBA programmes combine online and live instruction to make up for the students' busy schedules-many work full time while finishing their MBA degrees.      
  
• The U.S. Government's Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy teaches federal employees through a mix of virtual and live education.      
  
• University of Phoenix is famous for its online courses, however students are also able to take on-campus classes, making for an online degree that is blended.      
  

Blended learning

Another option to incorporate blended learning. This is blended e-learning. Instead of mixing in-person with online learning, blended e-learning mixes elements of synchronous and asynchronous learning on a virtual platform.

As an example it's possible to have an asynchronous class that is enabled via virtual Live chats, events and discussion forums in real-time. Or, you could offer a course live through a livestreaming function however the recorded version is later accessible, as is an online discussion board.

Like blended learning, blended e-learning brings a lot of benefits of an in-person classroom to learning via e-learning. It is possible to benefit from the energy of live sessions as well as the discussion and discussions that take place live, and the flexibility you have to bring students' concerns.

It's the difference that all of it happens on the internet. It gives you all the access and flexibility.

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Blended learning strategies

1. You can try a flip classroom

One common approach to blended learning is referred to as a flipped classroom. Students engage with readings or lectures at home. Then, the classroom can be devoted to discussions or engagement.

It's not easy to be successful in K-12 schooling however, it's possible (younger students often require parents' support). But the approach is used widely in higher ed as it is similar to the "tutorial" model of education-which has existed for centuries (it's the foundation of the Oxbridge model). ).

2. Let the learning objectives guide

Learning through blended learning must be governed by the way you can get to your learning objectives in the most effective way. Although it may sound obvious however, you could make use of each of the advantages of both online and live-based learning in order to achieve various learning goals. Flipping classrooms are one of the best examples.

3. Select the best technology

What technology you use to facilitate blended learning will determine the effectiveness of the program. Naturally, the attributes you're searching for in a blended learning platform need to be robust and functional. The features should work well and be easy for the students to both use and navigate.

Here are a few guidelines:

• Do not use complicated technology stacks. Find ways to add the blended learning capabilities that you'd like while not mixing up and matching the software, which can cause more hassles.      
  
• Make contact with IT. If your school has an IT staff in house check if they have current solutions.      
  
• Consider interoperability if you need to made sure that the blended learning technology you use is compatible with the existing learning and management tools.        
  

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4. Make the online count

One of the quickest way for blended learning failure is to put all the emphasis on classes in person and making online participation optional. Online component of blended learning shouldn't feel as an added-on feature or added-on. Make it count and assign real learning objectives to participation online.

In particular, the option of a separate discussion space can be a recipe for low uptake. Try building 10 discussion reflections as well as 10 replies to other' reflections into your curriculum (e.g. valued at 1% for 20% of the final grade). If you put skin in the game for blended learning it increases the chance that it will work well.

5. Do not duplicate the classroom experience online

Blended learning provides a endless array of possibilities for learning. Making the exact same learning activities available in traditional classrooms online could simply be a sad thing.

As an example, an educational lecture can be good.

• What about letting students view a film together in virtual chat?        
  
• Or applying a theory to a popular film?        
  
• Or trying an online video game which fits with course themes?        
  
• In addition, how about creating their own blog or website?        
  
• or sharing on social media regarding the topics of your course?        
  

The sky is the limit, so be creative about using the internet to create formats.

6. Be careful not to make synchronous or Asynchronous the division

It's easy to think that the class should be scheduled synchronously and online must be non-synchronous, however that's not the case. Online activities could be timed, with the use of live videos, chats, etc. However, in-person events don't have to be concurrent.

If you're trying to choose between either asynchronous or synchronous learning, this chart can assist you in determining the kinds of learners they best suit:

7. Orient the students

Rather than throw the students in blended learning classes and asynchronous learning, you can host a workshop in class (even in the computer lab, if you have access) to introduce them in the online aspect of the course. Utilize this opportunity to teach students how to sign on to the blended learning platform, and how to make use of different features maybe even completing the assignment in conjunction.

A good understanding of the platform can increase the likelihood of learners getting the most value from the platform. Technical issues are among of the biggest obstacles to blended learning.

8. Read your data

Because blended learning is a part of software platforms, you have the unique opportunity to engage with the data. These data points can give you useful information about the things that are working and not with regards to your implementation of blended learning.

Be sure to review the data frequently.

9. Participate in a practice community

The process of integrating blended learning of every type can be difficult for the first time. Look for communities of practice in which you can collaborate and learn from other people who have mastered blended learning well.

Blended platforms for learning

1.

is a community-based and course platform that includes a robust set of tools for livestreaming discussions, hosting discussion forums or running live events and including both synchronous and Asynchronous courses.

It is a blended learning platform, it shines in the field of brand-related and corporate learning, with possibilities for branding apps through Mighty Pro. And for those running an online course or training business, it gives you everything you need for monetization-building packages, managing checkouts, and charging in 135 different currencies.

2. Moodle

Moodle is an institution-wide learning management software that comes with many different choices for content and a robust collection of features to engage students in collaboration in learning, such as discussions forums, collaborations or messaging.

3. Canvas with Instructure

Canvas can be used as an educational center, which includes a robust LMS, effective engagement tools, solid mobile applications (better that Moodle) as well as the Learning Tool Interoperability (LTI) integration in conjunction with the institution's IT system.

4. Blackboard Learn

A popular institutions LMS alternatives that includes a lot of grading and assignment features included, plus a few good collaboration tools (like the discussion board as well as live meeting features). Dashboards are easy to use by students and administrators.

Conclusion

Blended learning can be difficult to master especially if you're not familiar with it. But if done well, it can create fantastic opportunities for learning and expand the scope of your instruction. I hope that this guide will get you excited to try blended learning, and you are ready to bring your classroom online!

If you want to experiment with Mighty's blended learning platform, you are able to trial it at no cost for 14 days, no credit card required.