Defining Online and Blended Learning



 

Blended and online learning are both non-traditional ways to gain different types of education. While it has generally been used for higher education or career training purposes for many years, recent world events have shifted the use for these learning platforms. For me and many like me, the difference between blended and online learning is the face to face interactions. Online learning is via the internet and often uses a learning management system. Online learning is often self-paced and doesn’t require face-to-face interactions. Blended learning, combines online learning with face-to-face learning (Rottmann, A, et al.,(2020). The face-to-face learning interactions are not generally a daily required interaction and instead will be scheduled for one or more times a week. The face-to-face interactions built into blended learning have also evolved recently. Now instead of being required to attend face-to-face in a brick and mortar setting, many programs have these face-to-face interactions take place via the internet using zoom or other online meeting platforms. Further strengthening the diverse options and advantages that comes with the blended learning option.

Blended and online learning can look differently to different people depending on their needs and the reasons behind their use of these platforms for learning. For me, these platforms were an essential opportunity. If not for blended and online learning I would have never been able to attend or complete any higher education courses. I had a variety of life experiences that didn’t allow me the option of attending the traditional path to a higher education. In essence, blended and online learning allowed me to not only further my education but also open doors in the workforce that allowed me to provide my children with the opportunity to attend college in a traditional pathway if they choose. The same can be said for many individuals. Whether socio-economical, locational, or many different reasons, there are people everywhere who are unable to complete a higher education. The introduction and continued evolution of blended and online learning has and will continue to open doors for those who, otherwise wouldn’t be able to continue their education.

There are advantages and disadvantages to utilizing blended and online learning as education options. In relation to the workforce these options provide the opportunity to learn new skills, refresh safety and other protocols, and renew training qualification requirements with minimal disruption to the average workday. Allowing courses to be done individually or in small groups. They can even be classified for at home learning that can have a special compensation. Some disadvantages would be the ability to cross over online learning to on the job skill use. Not everyone is able to take in information and put it to real world use when the learning is through an online platform. It would be important for the employer to take what the skill they are teaching is and evaluate what the best learning option may be to achieve optimal results.

When looking at higher education, blended and online learning can also look like a more flexible and  simpler learning option to gain higher education. It is easier to work fulltime and support your family or lifestyle while also furthering your education when using these platform options. Rather than scheduling your employment hours around school or having to find a job willing to work with you on scheduling, you can schedule your school hours around employment responsibilities. Providing the opportunity for career growth and educational advancement without sacrificing your ability to live self sufficiently. This is a huge advantage when looking at some of the road blocks many individuals face when trying to further their education. It can be a huge benefit to be able to attend courses and the only thing you need is an internet connection. 

The need for an internet connection can also be a disadvantage for some. While many of us think that the internet is in every household worldwide this is very much not the case. This can be both for economic and social reasons. Even though there are options for free internet access in many communities that isn’t the case in all of them. 

There are also advantages to blended and online learning when it comes to primary or secondary education. Some children are pursuing extracurricular activities that they are planning to turn into a career. Things like dance, music, or other art. Some are even actively pursuing a career in animal husbandry and management with programs like 4-h. Having a blended or online learning option can allow them to maintain their education while also pursuing their future goals. There are also children that suffer from mental and physical health concerns that may not be able to function in a traditional learning setting. Having the ability to complete their education goals and removing some of the stress that weighs on them when looking at their future can be a huge advantage to these learning platforms. Some of the disadvantages that may be problematic is the lack of socialization children gain in a traditional school setting. There is also the concern of quality of education and what opportunities for extracurriculars and higher education may be on offer to children who attend online and blended learning programs. Also, what kind of support system they will have at home to ensure that they are remaining on track and completing the workload they are assigned.

Overall, online and blended learning have many advantages and disadvantages depending on what you are looking to gain from the programs you enroll in and your ability to understand, maintain and use the materials you are being provided with. They can be the open door needed to further education for some and even the necessary platform to ensure a happy healthy and educated child. It is all in how you use the opportunities you are provided.


References

Rottmann, A, Barreto, D., & Rabidoux, S (2020). What in the World is a Learning Management System?. Learning Management Systems: Choosing the Right Path For Your Organization. https://edtechbooks.org/learning_management_systems/introduction

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Journey Towards Accessible and Inclusive Design: Insights and Growth

Image
< My Journey Towards Accessible and Inclusive Design: Insights and Growth At the start of my journey in learning design, I viewed accessibility and inclusive design through a relatively narrow lens. I knew that the goal was to ensure that learning materials were available to everyone, regardless of their abilities, but my understanding of how to implement these principles was limited. I primarily thought that accessibility meant ensuring that students with learning differences had alternative ways to interact with learning content, like providing audio versions of text or offering subtitles for video content. However, as I’ve progressed through this course, my understanding of accessibility and inclusive design has grown significantly. I now see it as a comprehensive framework that is not just about providing alternatives, but about designing from the ground up with all learners in mind. Accessibility and inclusion are not afterthoughts or add-ons; they should be woven into the v...
Read more

Evaluator Competencies Reflection

Image
When I opened the self-assessment for evaluator competencies I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was sure that I was not going to know any of the competencies or even a basic understanding of what would be expected of me. Instead I found myself to be pretty midline in my understanding of the five evaluator competencies and the pieces that are required to complete them. Reflecting on how I came by my knowledge I attribute it to the basic understanding I gained while completing my undergraduate degree. Even though I majored in Psychology, my focus was in child and adolescent development. Providing me with the first layer of foundational knowledge in evaluation as a whole. I further advance my skill set, by choosing to evaluate a childcare program for its effectiveness in a project towards the end of my degree plan. By evaluating the childcare program I slightly entered into the field of program evaluation. Providing me with a second layer to my initial foundation. Knowing that I have minimal...
Read more

Personal Approach to Applying Learning Theory

Image
  A Personal Perspective on Applying Learning Theory Introduction This post will review some of the learning theories and instructional strategies that were gone over in EDP 540- Learning Theories and Instructional Strategies course. One of the key factors that we learned is that learning is a continuous process. As we move through life we are learning through our experiences and cultural practices as we interact with the world around us weather it is professionally or personally. Another important piece of information is that each learning theory offers a unique look into how people retain and recall information and how they stay motivated and engaged during learning experiences  (Oyarzun & Conklin, 2021). Module 1: Behaviorism and Gamification For module one we were asked to create a learning module that applied the concept of gamification while utilizing the behaviorism learning theories principles. For this module I chose to design a training that allowed learners to c...
Read more