Blended learning can provide an amazing for students and instructors alike. It can help you increase the effectiveness of your learning efforts and improve the quality of learning.

In this post this article, we'll show you the concept of blended learning including some instances, as well as some blended learning strategies to implement into your daily practices.

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What is blended learning?

Blended learning is an approach to teaching that mixes classes in person, along with additional e-learning. Whether it's via online discussions as well as extra synchronous or Asynchronous classes, or any other project-based work. Blended learning brings the very best of traditional learning-the passion and energy of live classes, with the flexibility and accessibility of e-learning.

Throughout its history, the term "Blended learning" has been utilized to define 1. Combining delivery media, 2. Combining instructional methods, and 3. mixing in-person and online instruction, but today, most people use the phrase to mean a mixture of both in-person and online instruction.1

Even in the traditional classroom Blended learning is now becoming the norm rather than the only. A recent study of UK universities revealed that 69% planned to introduce blended learning. 82% of them said that they were witnessing a rise in demand for blended learning. And in 2021 (during the pandemic), 60% of US college students were taking at least one online course. Online education is estimated to be $257.7 billion dollars in 2027.

While we often associate an increase in learning online with the pandemic, universities and colleges have supported online learning for decades-especially supplemental learning through online forums or initiatives. The process has been made easier by the edtech tools and programs for online learning, such as Blackboard or Canvas.

The accessibility to online education is so commonplace that in 2023 the University of California decided to shut down a gap in its program. It had so many classes offered by online companies that students could obtain an online degree for way less money (they added an obligation to reside).

It's not just for higher ed or K-12. For every kind of training which is available, whether that's corporate training or starting an online course business, blended learning is a great way to mix the very best of learning in person (the engagement, the topic versatility, the interaction) and the most effective aspects in online education (the accessibility ).

    Blended Learning can be used to refer to:

• Blending at the activity level: when an activity of learning takes place both in person and on the internet.        
  
• Blending of course levels: If the course is in-person as well as online material.        
  
• Blending on the level of a program: It occurs across a program of study, but possibly not within specific courses or specific activities.        
  

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

Here are a few blended learning figures

• Eighty-three percent of university students prefer online learning as more efficient ( Erudera ).      
  
• 82% of college and university students wish to have at the very least a portion part of their studies to be online (and 41% would prefer to be entirely online) ( UNESCO ).      
  
• An examination of the new college students in 2022 found that 27% preferred blended learning and 29% preferred completely online-a shift down from the pandemic numbers, but still significant ( New America ).      
  
• The number of HTML0 users is 2.79 million U.S. post-secondary students doing their degree online ( NCES ).      
  
• From 2019-2020 The pandemic caused postsecondary online learning to jump up from 37% to 74% .      
  

Blended learning systems

The development of blended learning has been made possible thanks to the development of blended learning systems as well as the requirements of technology to teach at-scale online. Blended learning systems are always changing and evolving and incorporating new features all the time.

For example, Mighty Co-Host(tm) can generate outline of courses using AI. These capabilities will keep evolving and changing blended learning as technology advances.

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Blended learning and hybrid learning: What's the distinction?

The words "blended learning" and "hybrid learning" are frequently employed to refer to the same thing. But sometimes "hybrid" means the combination of both students who are in person and online in the same classroom (sort similar to how we define the hybrid event)--while blended learning is typically described as a mixture of both in-person and online learning that is tailored to each individual learner.

The benefits in blended learning

There are many advantages of learning online, and the best way to define them is that it gives you the greatest of both worlds! As both in-person as well as virtual learning can be beneficial and benefits, blended learning allows students to benefit from each approach and mitigate the negatives.

This balance is the ideal balance to learn blended. Asynchronous online learning may be lonely. Blended learning can help you get together with fellow students occasionally for a social gathering!

A New America study on blended learning at community colleges revealed that the top reasons students liked blended learning was an opportunity to create an individualized schedule, the possibility to be a part of a group as well as a greater sense of education, the reduction of commute time, and a motivation to leave the house.

Blended learning benefits that go along with in-person learning

• The flexibility of online learning allows learners learn from the comfort of their own home, and online education can be done at a student's own convenience. This can make learning possible to those with commitments to balance (e.g. the parent working a job currently ).    
  
• Accessibility: Learning through blended learning is more attainable to learners of different kinds, and let them take their time and learn at their own pace.      
  
• Eco-friendly: No requirement to have classrooms (or heating/cooling or electricity). Online learning is eco-friendly and affordable.    
  
• Flexible: Blended learning offers scale. As an example, if you taught three beginning classes, you could combine these all to form a single discussion group.    
  
• More accessible than ever: The technology for online learning is always getting higher-quality and easier to access.    
  

The benefits of blended learning that are associated with a person-to-person experience

• Energetic: If students have trouble paying attention to online content, live-learning can enhance this.      
  
• Connecting people: Students attending classes together can build meaningful friendships and networks.      
  
• Flexible: In-class classes offer flexibility of a different kind, the teacher can adapt the class discussion and the material they interact with the class.      
  

Blended Learning examples

• A college instructor adds the requirement of a virtual component in the curriculum. For instance participating with students in a chat room or writing blog entries about the material and working on an Asynchronous project for students.        
  
• Walmart provides its customers the one Global Walmart Academy that combines online and live learning experiences in its 2.3 million employees.      
  
• Amazon has built classrooms inside their fulfillment centers to teach employees skills-both those relevant to their job in Amazon and those not. They also offer training for in-demand careers.    
  
• Many executives MBA programmes mix live and virtual instruction in order to accommodate the students' busy schedules-many have full-time jobs while they complete their MBAs.      
  
• U.S. Government's Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy helps to train federal workers through a combination of virtual and live training.      
  
• HTML0 - The University of Phoenix is famous for its online courses, however students also have the option of taking in-person classes. It's an online degree that is blended.      
  

Blended learning

There's another option for blended learning. This is blended learning via e-learning. Instead of blending in-person learning with virtual learning, blended e-learning blends elements of both time-based and synchronous learning an online platform.

As an example, you could have an asynchronous class that is made possible via virtual online events, live chats and discussion groups that are live. Or, you could teach a class by livestreaming, but the recording is accessible afterward, along with an asynchronous discussion board.

As with blended learning, e-learning brings a lot of advantages of a traditional classroom and e-learning. It is possible to benefit from the excitement of live classes as well as the discussion and interactions that occur live, and the flexibility you have to bring to students' questions.

The difference is, all of it happens on the internet. You get all the accessibility and all the flexibility together.

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Blended Learning strategies

1. Try a flipped classroom

An approach that is common to blended learning is called an flipped class. In this model, students engage with readings or lectures at home, and then class time is devoted to discussions or engagement.

It can be difficult to achieve success in the K-12 classroom, although it is possible (younger learners typically require parental support). The approach is employed widely in higher ed as it is similar to the "tutorial" model of education-which has been around for many centuries (it's the foundation of the Oxbridge system ).

2. Let the learning goals guide you.

Blending learning needs to be guided by the way you can get to your learning objectives most effectively. Although it may sound obvious However, it is possible to use each of the advantages of live and online education to fulfill diverse learning goals. Flipping classrooms are an excellent example.

3. Choose great tech

What technology you use to support blended learning will affect the success of your blended learning program. Naturally, the features you're looking for in a blended learning system should be robust and functional. It should be able to work together and be simple for students to utilize and navigate.

Here are some suggestions:

• Avoid complicated tech stacks. Look for ways to add the blended learning features you want with no mixing or matching programs, which causes more problems.      
  
• Make contact with IT. If your school has an IT staff in house, see if you have already implemented options.      
  
• Think about interoperability-if it needs to be ensure that your blended learning system integrates with existing learning and student administration systems.        
  

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4. Create the online count

One of the quickest methods for blended learning failure is to put all the emphasis on classes in person by making participation online optional. The online portion of blended learning shouldn't feel like an add-on or an added-on. Be sure to make it count, and give real learning goals for online learning.

In particular, an option for a discussion area is usually a recipe for less participation. Consider incorporating 10 reflections on discussion and 10 comments to other' reflections into your curriculum (e.g. valued at 1% for 20% of your final grade). By putting skin in the blended learning game, you increase the chances the program will be successful.

5. Do not duplicate the classroom experience on the internet.

Blended learning provides a limitless range of learning possibilities. Making the exact same learning activities available in traditional classrooms online could seem like a waste of time.

For example, a lecture is acceptable.

• But what about having students view a film together while chatting virtually?        
  
• Applying a theoretical concept to a popular film?        
  
• Or trying an online video game which fits with course themes?        
  
• Or building their own blog site or web page?        
  
• Or sharing on social media regarding course themes?        
  

The sky is the limit. So be creative about using online formats.

6. Do not create synchronous and Asynchronous the division

It's easy to think that classes should be synchronous, and that online activities should be asynchronous, but it's not true. Online activities could be timed, with the use of live videos, chats and more. However, in-person events don't require simultaneous.

In the event that you're trying to choose between leading with asynchronous or synchronous, this chart can help you think through the kinds of learners they best suit:

7. Orient students

Rather than throw the students into blended learning, host a session in class (even in an area with a computer when you're able to access) to get them started in the online aspect of your class. Utilize this opportunity to teach students how to sign on into the online learning system, and how to utilize different tools, or perhaps, even complete an assignment together.

The platform is more familiar to students, which increases the chances of students getting the most out of it. Technical issues are among of the top barriers for blended learning.

8. Read your data

Because blended learning is a part of platform software, you'll have an opportunity to interact with the data. The data you collect can provide valuable information on what's working as well as what's not in the implementation of blended learning.

Check the data often.

9. Join a community of practice

Adapting blended learning of any type can be difficult to those who are new. Find communities of practice where you can collaborate and learn from other people who are utilizing blended learning well.

Blended learning platforms

1.

is a community and learning platform that includes a robust set of tools to host discussions, livestreaming or running live events as well as synchronous and asynchronous classes.

As a blended learning platform, it shines when it comes to brand-related or corporate education, and offers the option of branded apps via 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 can be described as an educational learning management system that comes with a lot of different content options and a robust collection of features to engage students in co-learning, things like discussion forums, collaborations, or messaging.

3. Canvas by Instructure

Canvas can be used to create an institutional learning hub, with a powerful LMS, good engagement tools, solid mobile applications (better then Moodle) as well as LTI (LTI) integration alongside an institution's system of IT.

4. Blackboard Learn

One of the more common institutions LMS choices that comes with a lot of assignments and grading features, plus a few good collaborative features (like the discussion board as well as live meetings). It is simple to use by administrators and students.

Conclusion

Blended learning can be difficult to master especially if you're not familiar with it. However, if it's done right it will provide amazing learning opportunities and help you to expand the scope of your teaching. Hopefully, this guide has you excited to try blended learning and prepared to bring your classroom online!

If you'd like to test Mighty's blend learning platform, you are able to try it free for 14 days with no credit card required.