Blended learning is a term that has been thrown around a lot lately but what is it and what are the benefits to students and teachers?

What is blended learning?

Blended learning is a teaching style which combines classroom teaching with online learning. The model aims to reduce the amount of time students spend in school while still providing high-quality education. 

What are the benefits to teachers?

• Marking and grading in most cases is automated saving you time

• More sustainable as less printing of materials is required

• Time saved editing resources as almost everything is digital 

• Student engagement is typically higher as there are lots of different activities 

• More time to spend with students who need extra support 

What are the benefits to students?

• Able to work at their own pace

• Can work on the materials when they are most alert

• Get more one-on-one time with their teacher

• Supports all learning styles 

• Creates a more fun and engaging way to learn

Are there any disadvantages?

To work effectively both the students and the teacher must buy-in to the idea of blended learning. This is because blending learning, unlike traditional learning, puts students in charge learning and turns teachers into coaches. 

Of course, the use of technology presents another challenge. For blended learning to work, schools must be sure that all pupils have access to a laptop or tablet to complete the work set. Not to mention that as with anything new, we have to allow for a learning curve while people adjust. 

Is blended learning happening in schools now?

From September we expect to see students and teachers back to school full-time. However, given the uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus, there is a chance that things could change. Should things change, we will likely see many schools adopt a blended learning model as it provides a ‘best of both worlds’ solution. 

If schools do take a blended learning approach, then it’s also highly likely that training will be provided to ensure that it is delivered effectively. So, don’t panic if this isn’t something you feel comfortable with it right now. You can find out more about what we expect the ‘new normal’ to be like in schools from September here.