The first computer monitor became popularized by Xerox in 1973. It ushered in a new era of information transmission between teachers and students. The Internet took center stage in 1983, and this enabled the curation of educational information.
At the push of a few buttons, the learning experience became far more productive. Now, students have an opportunity to consult with instructors in convenient ways. On the other hand, they can refer to professional essay writers online to get quick help with various assignments.
A new type of learning tool started blending in with the brick-and-mortar style of teaching. This ensured highly effective communication and greater control over location, pace, and scheduling. Thus, blended learning has introduced new perspectives and is believed to become widely popular in the future.
Combining the Past and the Future: the Best Way Forward
There is no universal way to describe blended learning. It is most accurately defined as a style that combines in-person teaching with online materials. This approach united traditional teaching methods with highly effective and sought-after learning tools. The general idea manifests in several career-altering practices outlined below.
- New subjects have been introduced in school. IT class, computer literacy courses, and computational sciences are among them.
- Students have begun to use laptops as opposed to textbooks for such courses as mathematics, English, and history. Thus, traditional teaching methods became supplemented with new ones. Besides, it spared students hefty sums of money and greatly reduced paper waste.
- Traditional essay writing tasks are now required to be completed in a digital format. This automates plagiarism checks and lessens the burden of teachers.
- Educational simulations have replaced some educators. Automation of task distribution and tracking lets employees focus on student needs.
Blended learning is extremely context-dependent. For its effective application, it needs to have a broad definition. Traditional education is tried-and-tested. Contemporary methods were thus incorporated rather than used as a replacement.
As such, we can see an ongoing impact of technology on education. Blended learning has many alternative names, but it all involves technological advancement. It is a natural evolution of learning through the incorporation of technology.
The Three Most Common Modern Blended Learning Methods
One instructor is limited in the number of people they can teach. A computer-based teaching environment suits large audiences. So long as each person has access to a screen and the Internet, they will have no problem joining a class. A classroom with one instructor plays around the lowest common denominator. This can lead to some students being left behind, and others can become frustrated with the pacing.
Internet-based instruction frees the teacher to follow up on everyone who needs help. It facilitates an independent and collaborative environment at the same time. It also provides accurate computer-based qualitative and quantitative assessments.
The learning experience is far more encompassing for that reason. The following three examples will highlight the advantages of blended learning. This will give you a good understanding of why it is a preferred method of learning in the twenty-first century.
1.In-Person Driver
Many classrooms in developed countries require computer-literate teachers. Online availability of educational materials and plagiarism prevention tools are often mandatory. An in-person driver enhances the learning experience for students because a teacher controls the classroom while using digital tools.
Such an approach is common in international schools and university lecture halls. They are typically outfitted with an electronic whiteboard, a projector, and audio speakers.
2. Online Driver
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to entirely digitized course instructions. Curriculums can be found online with teachers available via video chats. This practice is prevalent in areas facing lockdowns. This kind of learning is essential for people following social distancing rules. Students have an opportunity to view prerecorded lectures, attend live ones, and hand in assignments via a digital platform.
3. Flex
This model incorporates formal classroom instructions and digital platforms. Moreover, there is a stronger emphasis on digital modality. All methods prioritize a student’s needs. However, the flex model underlines customization. Every student’s schedule is different, and each individual is unique. Flex recognizes it and takes advantage of this fact. Summit Public Schools in the United States provide an excellent example of this approach.
A Happy Student Is an Informed Student
Now, students can easily access their educational materials and have them all in hand. This makes the learning experience cohesive and guided. Thus, students do not have to overcome numerous obstacles while studying. Bolstering of this experience through online tools is only the first step in the evolution of education.
Mankind’s development has taken huge steps in recent years. Technology may still hold plenty of career-changing opportunities that will alter the way we learn about the world around us. The future of the classroom will always depend on the best available tools. One of them is blending traditional, proven means of teaching with contemporary, exciting practices.
