The need for blended learning in education

The past one year has been a year of numerous discussions and amid Covid-19, the hot topic of discussion has been how technology has disrupted our lives and the continuity of learning despite several challenges. While a lot has been said and done to ensure continuous teaching and learning, it is now time to look into the future and blended learning clearly looks like the way forward.  

Emerging as the new model of teaching as more institutions adopt technology in learning, blended learning is a perfect mix of web-based training supported by human touch and media. Put simply, it refers to an education programme that encompasses teaching methods of both traditional classrooms and online learning. With the application of appropriate learning technologies, blended learning optimises learning objectives by matching personal learning style of each student. Every learner has different needs and ways of learning, and blended learning helps them in reaching their full potential by offering greater flexibility to learn at their own pace. All in all, it offers an incredible solution and makes learning an enriching experience for learners in today’s environment.  

Though the concept has been around for some time now, Covid-19 has acted as a catalyst for educational institutions to adopt blended learning and thrive. According to experts, “Educational institutions will have to adjust to the new changes brought in learning after Covid-19 and adopt a blended approach, and teachers will not be the only source of information in the future.” They further predict that educational institutions cannot go back to classroom-only teaching, as blended learning is the way the education industry will follow in the future.  

While Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) had technology from its inception in 2018, before the pandemic; the knowledge delivery and consumption were done in the traditional classroom setup. Due to the existing technology at ISH, both the facilitators and the students were able to adapt very quickly to exchange of ideas and resources online. While some of the material that we used in classrooms could be used in online delivery mode, the rest had to be reworked to continue the rigour of the subject.  

Developing a blended course allowed us to create new material and apply innovative teaching strategies. The teacher’s classroom presentations were shared on the Learning Management System (LMS) days prior to the online session. This allowed students to review and prepare for the online sessions in advance, thus using the class time for debating and clearing their doubts. The facilitators also reported that student participation had increased due to the sharing of information on the learning portal in advance. 

As e-learning is maturing, at ISH, it is being used to address various student’s needs. Dependent on the students learning preference and knowledge intake, students get to select from multiple delivery modes, which also increases their control over time and place. One faculty member notes that, “All the study material and recorded lectures are uploaded on LMS. This resource library allows students the flexibility to control the pace of consumption along with how and where they study. We believe that the change of class interaction from lecture to debate not only increases the student engagement but is there to stay in years to come.”  

Blended learning looks like a viable model for the future of education which allows the combination of online and in-person components in any proportion. It allows each student to find a unique blend of the two to suit their style and pace of learning, level of access to technology and family situation. Blended learning also has the advantage of bringing expert teachers from all over the globe to any institution with the use of technology. 

As educational institutions walk through the unknowns of the 2021-22 school year, administrators and educators will have to continue analysing, examining and evaluating how to maximise teacher-student interactions as well as online learning tools to increase the outcome of learning, promote student development and ensure delivery of quality education.  

While the coming times are sure to bring more challenges, it is equally likely that there will be a major overhaul in the education sector leading to incredible growth and development along the way.