Blended and Online Learning

Some Thoughts About Technology

Blended (Hybrid) Learning

bringing together f2f classroom instruction with Web-based activity in which classroom time is partially replaced by the Web-based work

recognizes shifting place and communication patterns that have occurred in our culture

Blended Learning potentially serves a broader spectrum of

learning styles than either classroom or online alone

allows classroom time to be spent on different types of activities

accommodates the independent and the ‘social’ learner

accommodates the working student may help solve the ‘too much content to cover

for critical thinking activities’ problem

Doing What Each Does Best

Online Componentsallow students to complete ‘pre-work’ before

class timeseparate rote content focusing on lower-order

thinking skills (which can be easily taught online) from critical thinking skills, which many instructors feel more comfortable addressing in the classroom

Doing What Each Does BestOnline: students can be self-tested for grading purposes (or

not) using online quizzes students can asynchronously participate in groups Web links, podcasts, visual materials, lecture notes, etc.

can be put online for student review at any time some students will participate in online discussions who

are reluctant to speak in class students have 24-hour synchronous and asynchronous

opportunities for discussion

Doing What Each Does Best

The Classroom a different use of class time – review of difficult

concepts, rather than coverage of content time for active learning techniques, critical

thinking, discussion, group work moves the role of the professor toward that of

facilitator

Online Pedagogical Considerations

clarity of course objectives is imperative; content must align with them; need to be purposeful

provide a variety of activities; take advantage of available technologies

incorporate ‘discipline thinking’ consider pacing don’t try to replicate the classroom timed release stability of technologies

Think about….

What lower-level activities can students complete online prior to class?

What higher-level activities can students complete after f2f discussion?

What’s a Wiki

a piece of server software that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content using any Web browser

supports hyperlinks and has a simple text syntax for creating new pages and cross-links between internal pages on the fly

excellent for online collaboration and tracking of contributions

The Intensive Teaching Wiki

Can be found at:http://intenstiveteachingwlu.wikispaces.com

References Davies, W. Martin, Issues in Educational Research, Vol 16, 2006 Intensive

teaching formats: A review Burton, Suzan and Nesbit, Paul (2002) An analysis of student and faculty

attitudes to intensive teaching Grant, David Bruce (2001) Using block courses for teaching logistics,

International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management Henebry, Kathleen (1997) The impact of class schedule on student

performance in a financial management course, Journal of Education for Business

Scott, P. A. and Conrad, C. (1991) A critique of intensive teaching and an agenda for research, Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research

Daniel, E. L. (2000) A review of time-shortened courses across disciplines, College Student Journal