Blended Learning

• Developing Blended Learning

• Welcome to this Module on Developing Blended Learning

  This follows on from the previous module on Learning Design. At its core Blended Learning is about taking the best of the face-to-face learning environment (hands-on work, personal interactions, networking etc.) and the online environment (flexibility of place, path, pace and time, the abundance of resources and tools etc.) to design the best possible learning experience. For it to be truly effective, it's often best to evaluate and redesign your current learning and assessment activities.

  It is important to realise that Blended Learning is not just about introducing technology into your teaching.

  Remember you can 'check off' your activities as you work through to help you monitor your own progress.

• 4. Blended Learning

• 4.1 What is Blended Learning?

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  Read through this simple booklet for an introduction to Blended Learning and some of the models.

• What is Blended Learning? File 554.6KB
• 4.2 Online vs. Blended Learning

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  Watch this video. Erin McCloskey, Director of Curriculum, Distance Education Professional Development at the University of Wisconson-Madison, describes key concepts and provides fundamental background information regarding distinctions between online and blended learning.

• 4.3 BlendKit Reader: Chapter 1: Understanding Blended Learning

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  Read through this chapter on the website. It gives you more detailed information about what Blended Learning is and how it has been applied to two American college-level courses.

• Understanding Blended Learning URL
• Tip...

  If you’re pressed for time, focus on the following excerpt from Chapter 1: Two Case Studies of Blended Learning Design.

• 4.4 Blended Learning Models

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  Watch this video. It expands on the Christensen Institute's models for blended learning as mentioned in the introductory reading.

• Tip...

  It's important to understand that the models exist only to provide a framework and a shared language. Blended Learning is really a continuum with more face-to-face/less online at one end and less face-to-face/more online at the other. How you choose the ratio of face-to-face/online should be determined by the benefit to learners and their abilities and attitudes.

• 4.5 Course MixMap

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  Complete the MixMap below. This MixMap allows you to begin making decisions about what will happen face-to-face vs. online vs. in-between in your blended learning course. There are countless approaches to leveraging the component modalities. Just be mindful not to develop two parallel courses.

• MixMap Completed Example File 121KB
• MixMap Template File 44.2KB
• OK, so now that we have a basic understanding of what Blended Learning is, let's look at some ways of using the models in your learning activities.

  Below, you'll have a chance to explore one or more of the models in greater depth, plus find examples of how the models have been used.

• 4.6 Blended Learning Models In Depth

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  As we saw earlier, one way of framing your learning design is by exploring different blended learning models.

  Choose at least one of the following models to explore further. Each 'module' briefly explains the model, provides an example of how it has been implemented and then gives you an activity to allow you to create your own plan. 

• Rotation Model Book
• Flipped Classroom Model Book
• Flex Model Book
• Enriched Virtual Model Book
• Question Forum

• Blended Learning Forum

  Use this forum to ask any questions you have about blended learning and the models. Also post any comments about things you'd like to see added to the toolkit.

• NMIT Blended Learning Infographic File 197KB