Blended Learning – Know What Is It, Types, Features, Models, and More!

Blended learning has become a strong trend in education . It has allowed combining the traditional in-person learning methods with the convenience and freedom of online learning . 

This hybrid learning method is responsive to varying needs. As students have an opportunity to enjoy both face-to-face communication and independence of online materials. 

Blended learning is a show of balance in education since it delivers learning excellence coupled with an online modern education . It has also been proven to boost the interaction, access, and personalised learning experience. 

This model is defining the future of online education in schools, with universities, and with corporate education as a social responsibility .

What is blended Learning?

Blended learning refers to an educational practice that integrates the traditional classroom teaching with the online courses. Through blended learning, students can choose to do parts of their course online whilst still in face-to-face situations. 

They do these courses in order to hone new skills, discuss, and socialize.

The idea behind this is to make the best of both worlds. This includes classroom structure, teacher presence and cooperation, and the benefits of online learning , along with self-learning and individualized pace.

Key Components of the Blended Learning:

• Flexibility: The students are provided with freedom to access the digital content at their convenience, despite this; they are offered real-life interaction.

• Engagement: Technology has the benefit of making the learning powerful through multimedia content, responding to interactive skills, and real time effects.

• Personalization: Blended learning enables students to take a course of learning that meets their own needs and capabilities.

Types of Blended Learning

Blended learning is a very dynamic approach and there are quite a number of variations depending on the context of teaching. The universal aim is always to maximize the learning experience by employing technology to supplement the traditional schooling process. 

The main types of blended learning are given below:

1. Classical Blended learning

Classical blended learning is a traditional form of learning. Here a section of the course is presented online as another section takes place in the classroom. 

The model is prevalent in university or high school where students take classes on some days and submit assignments online.

2. Self-Blend 

Or even explore a topic beyond what is required.

3. Flex Model

In the Flex model most of the learning process occurs through online means. Students have the option of when, where, and how they access the content. 

Yet they continue to have sessions, face-to-face meetings regarding certain activities, including online group projects or discussion.

4. Enhanced virtual learning 

Enhanced virtual learning is a higher occurrence in online learning but with a twist. Most of the classes that students attend are online. 

And there exist scheduled face-to-face lessons, most commonly on vital parts of the course, e.g. labs or exams.

5. Hybrid Courses 

Hybrid learning programs are a mix of online classes and face-to-face workshops. It is normally applied in college, or university settings. Lectures are via the Internet, whereas the group work and practical tasks are accomplished in real life.

Important Features of Blended Learning

Blended learning introduces many teaching methods and techniques, which affects positively on the learning process. These are the main features which describe blended learning:

1. Technology Incorporation

A major facilitator in blended learning is technology. Blended learning can use an even greater variety of tools: digital textbook, learning management system (LMS) and face-to-face meetings. 

Videos on the Internet, discussion boards, quizzes, and collaborating projects serve to increase knowledge and participation of the students.

2. Individualised Learning Paths

Blended learning supports a variety of learning styles and is one of the most significant advantages of the learning method. Online learning, through which students can learn at their own pace, blended with face-to-face learning.

This results in personalising the learning process to students. Educators may exploit online-gathered information to change the intention and tempo of face-to-face activities.

3. Active Learning

Blended learning is a strategy that transfers weight from passive instruction like attending a lecture to active learning of the material. Discussion boards, peer reviews, collaborative group work are some interactive tools that allow the students to interact with content in significant ways.

4. Student-Centered Learning

Blended learning places students in the center of the learning process. Students are becoming more responsible and accountable in terms of information delivery.

This happens with the help of the mixed online and in-class types of activities. This ensures self-direction and responsibility incorporating student-centred learning .

5. Adaptability and Availability

Learners are also capable of attaining learning materials wherever they are with blended learning. The convenience of studying as and when they want helps students manage their studies alongside other obligations in life. 

It also facilitates education to those people who may not have access to a traditional classroom setting because of distance or even time.

Blended Learning models

There are many types of blended learning models that fit various learners, institutions as well as schools and teachers. The five most popular models of blended learning are listed below:

1. Rotational Model

In the rotational model students move through various learning stations, which may be online learning, one-on-one tutoring, and group work. It is commonly applied in the K-12 school system and students adhere to a fixed pattern of rotations of activities.

Kinds of Rotational Models:

• Station Rotation: Taking place in different stations, which varies the learning experience, digital tools and in-person instruction.
• Lab Rotation: It entails students who mostly learn online, but have to be rotated in a physical laboratory to engage in hands-on experiments, or lab activity.

2. Flex Model

The Flex Model is flexible in nature and it will grant students most of their education by means of online materials. Students also have the freedom to go at their own pace, enabling them to work on their strengths.

They can also take longer time on what they easily become weak in. Educators support, and facilitate learning on demand.

Key Features:

• Very little face-to-face learning.
• Large parts of the content are read and done online.
• The teachers administer guidance and support working remotely.

3. A La Carte Model

The A La Carte Model enables students to enroll to take individual courses online. But be a part of a conventional brick and mortar school. 

As an example, a student can decide to use his/her school time to take a math class online, doing science or history.

Key Features:

• The students attend a normal school but select one or more courses online.
• Individually oriented.
• Provides the students with the opportunity to take courses not included in the mainstream.

4. Enriched Virtual Model

Enriched Virtual Model offers the type of learning experience mostly online, though in-person meetings are timetabled. This model suits the student who prefers to do courses online and still needs some face-to-face support.

These can be activities such as lab activities, group discussions or examinations.

Key Features:

• Learning is mostly online.
• There are scheduled face-to-face sessions to meet a specific need.
• Gives an option of flexibility and even personal interaction.

5. Face-to-Face Driver Model

The Face-to-Face Driver Model is mostly dominated by classroom learning where the teacher is the driver. Online learning is used in enhancement of classroom learning through more resources, testing, and assessments .

This is more conventional, yet incorporates the technological concept in order to improve face-to-face learning.

Key Features:

• Learning in the classroom lies at the centre of learning.
• Online resources and applications can be applied to strengthen face-to-face classes.
• Students take assignments, tests and projects online but they go to class regularly.

7 Differences Between Blended Learning and Online Learning

People often use both these terms interchangeably in their regular lives. However, these concepts of blended learning and online learning are differing. We can understand these differences with a table and individual features.

Feature	Blended Learning	Online Learning
Learning Environment	Mix of online and in-person	Entirely digital
Flexibility	Some flexibility for online portions; fixed face-to-face schedule	Full flexibility with self-paced learning
Interaction	Both in-person and online interactions	All interactions are online
Technology Integration	Uses LMS and in-person activities	Uses only online tools and platforms
Teacher Role	Facilitator in both online and in-person settings	Instructor in an entirely online environment
Assessments	Both online quizzes/tests and in-person assessments	All assessments conducted online
Ideal for	Students seeking a balanced learning experience with both independence and collaboration	Students who need complete flexibility and prefer self-paced, remote learning
Examples	Flipped classrooms, hybrid courses, corporate training	MOOCs, remote university programs, online certification courses

Explore the difference between blended learning and hybrid learning .

1. Learning Environment

• Blended Learning: It is a combination of online face-to-face lessons. Learning involves a combination of online tools (e.g. videos, online quizzes) and face-to-face (e.g. classroom discussions problem-solving activities ).
• Online Learning: It is fully digital, so the students will learn exclusively online, and there will be no face-to-face classes.

2. Interaction

• Blended Learning: Provides online communication (discussions, webinars) and physical communication (group discussion, workshops, meetings with lecturers). With the help of this model, more significant participation may be provided with the use of digital and physical presence.
• Online Learning: All activities are being conducted online, usually in chat rooms, discussion boards and emails. Face-to-face interaction is not used.

3. Flexibility

• Blended Learning: Provides a more flexible option like the online part (students are able to study at their pace) but also has some scheduled face-to-face with others.
• Online Learning: Very flexible as students can gain access to all the information at any given time and place, they are not obligated to attend it physically ever.

4. Learning Pace

• Blended Learning: Online learning sometimes can be self-paced although the face-to-face part is usually scheduled (lecture, group work).
• Online Learning: Totally self-paced-students get to determine how fast and when to finish their coursework, however, they are obliged to meet deadlines.

5. Resources and Access

• Blended Learning: The students have online access to digital resources (videos, readings, assignments), and their access to the resources, such as instructors, classrooms and physical libraries, is physical.
• Online Learning: Everything is online and students are most likely to use online libraries and online tools to study.

6. Teacher Role

• Blended Learning: The instructors would be able to enable both distance learning and in-person classes. They are mediators in the classroom and offer instructions on online sites.
• Online Learning: The asynchronous or synchronous lessons delivered by teachers are online and the teacher feedback is predominantly on a digital basis.

7. Evaluation and Response

• Blended Learning: Evaluation can be in a form of online assessment such as quizzes/tests, and on-site such as practical assessment, obligatory attendance in classes.
• Online Learning: All the examinations are taken online and in most cases include quizzes, written tasks, and peer feedback.

5 Advantages of Blended Learning

There are a number of benefits associated with blended learning and which work to its increased use in institutions of learning. The main advantages of this hybrid model are suggested below:

1. Flexibility

Flexibility of the students is listed amongst the greatest benefits of blended learning . Online content is on-demand and this enables the students to study at their own pace and at a time of their convenience. 

This gives each flexibility to combine his/ her studies with other family/work or other activities. They are able to watch material several times or skip to the next one in case he/she is familiar with a concept.

Example: A student who has part-time work can visit physical classes during the week and fulfill assignments and learn the material on weekends or evenings online.

2. Effectiveness

Blended learning has been proved to enhance the effective performances of the students as opposed to traditional teaching modes. The inclusion of technology enables a more interactive learning process through multimedia such as videos, simulations as well as interactive tasks. 

Also, the combination of the virtual environment and traditional in-person classes allows students to learn better.

Example: Experiments have indicated that learners in blended learning scenarios have excelled in exams and assignments given the high involvement and individualized learning experienced.

3. Personalization

Blended learning enables individual student-based experiences because one can learn online at their own pace. Online platforms also allow teachers to use the data available to understand which student needs additional assistance or who is performing well. 

Such a personalized treatment is useful in meeting the varying needs of thousands of students.

Example: A math student may take longer to learn and practice problems online in the media, whereas others may progress to advanced level.

4. Greater Reach

Blended learning has the potential to bring online schools to provide quality education to more people. Online aspects of a blended learning program can serve students who cannot access regular classes.

This can be due to geographical accessibility or time confines or other structural impediments. It increases the avenues to education all over the world.

Example: A student in a remote place with no specialist teachers on specific subjects can join a blended learning clinic to have access to online classes and some face-to-face activity.

5. Reduced Cost

Blended learning will assist in cutting down the expenses incurred in conventional education. As students are achieving some of their coursework online, universities can utilize less material, lesson rooms, and commuting costs. 

Also, students can also spend less money on transport and accommodation and other expenses.

Example: Students that only need to go to classes in-person once a week have the opportunity to save on travel expenses and time.

5 Challenges related to Blended Learning and solutions to them

Although blended learning is beneficial, it does not lack difficulty. But with mindfulness these obstacles can be overcome through planning and good implementation strategies.

1. Technological Barriers

Not every learner enjoys equal access to technology or good internet. The inability to access computers, tablets, or high-speed internet may prevent a student from completing the online aspects of a blended learning program.

Solution:

Schools ought to make additional investments towards technological facilitation, like loaner devices or discounted internet, etc. Also, schools could create offline materials, which can be printed or downloadable by technology-poor students. Administrators must understand how technology can support students success .

2. Teacher Training

Blending learning requires teachers to be well trained to address online and offline elements of its nature. Not all teachers have the knack or experience to create and deliver quality online content leading to an inferior learning experience.

Solution:

Teachers need the skills to be able to incorporate technology in education and this can be achieved through professional development resources . Continuous guidance and teamwork among the teachers would improve their instruction sessions.

3. Motivation and Self-Control of Students

Blended learning demands more active participation of the students towards learning. Online learning may cause procrastination and discouragement, among students lacking time management skills due to the self-pacing of online courses.

Solution:

Institutions may have online tracking tools to check the progress of students and offer periodic feedback. Moreover, it helps to develop a support system via mentors or peer collaborations to ensure that students stay inspired and on the track.

4. Engagement Issues

Online learning can be interesting, but not all students can cope with the absence of social contact and isolated studying. This may lead to impoverished learning experiences for some people.

Solution:

Online communities should be encouraged by discussion boards, group projects and virtual study sessions to facilitate cooperation and peer-to-peer interactions. Blended learning must not be entirely online, and face-to-face components must make interactions and engagement.

5. A Fairness in Opportunity

With blended learning, no one would want to create inequality among students who are mentally or physically different. But this happens often which can result in learning gaps .

Solution:

Institutions and schools need to implement fair access of technology and online resources to all the students, irrespective of their socio-economic status. This can encompass provision of financial support or the linkage with the community based resources e.g the libraries.

4 Practical Real-Life Examples of Blended Learning 

Blended learning has been incorporated by multiple companies and institutions. Among them some organizations have aced in the global market. They are as follows:

1. Khan Academy

Khan Academy is one of the leaders in online education , as it offers blended learning experience to students all over the world. The site has offered tuition-free interactive lessons in many topics, between math and science to history and economics. 

Although the online materials enable the students to study at their own pace, discussions, group work, and practical learning can be done during the in-class time.

Real-world use: Khan Academy videos and quizzes are used as supplements by many schools. Students have frequent face-to-face classes to complete teamwork exercises and discuss them in greater detail.

2. Flipped Classroom Model

One of the famous examples of blended learning is the flipped classroom . Under this model, the students would observe video lectures and do their assignments online at home.

Further, classroom time is used to discuss issues, solve problems and apply knowledge. This makes the class sessions more interactive and involved.

Real-world use: The model of the flipped classroom has been implemented in high schools and universities across the world. Especially in such studies as math and science, where students can follow the exercises during the course in the class with assistance given by the teacher.

3. University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)

UmGC has adopted blended learning as an initiative to have degree programs on which online coursework is merged with face-to-face assistance. The model enables students to enjoy the online flexibility but also have real-time accessibility to the professors and peers during on-campus sessions. 

Such a mixed medium is of special help to adult learners and professionals.

Real-world use: The UMGC gives its students the freedom of doing the assigned tasks and attending web-lectures whenever they feel like. Though they can still take exams, project, and group assignments in the face to face environment.

4. Cisco Networking Academy

The Cisco Networking Academy provides blended learning to students who care about the career in IT and network. Learners take up online courses where they can work at their pace then also undergo practicals in physical labs and workshops.

Real-world use: They will be able to fill in the theoretical parts of their studies online and practice their knowledge in real laboratory conditions. Thus, receiving practical experience during the learning process at their own pace.

How To Create a Blended Learning Program

To develop an effective blended learning program, one must plan, have clear goals, and provide the appropriate instruments. In order to make online and face-to-face components collaborate. The following are the steps to be followed:

1. Training Objectives

Setting goals and objectives of training or course before developing the blended learning program is vital. All the following choices on content delivery, educational evaluations , and the general program orientation should be guided by them.

Example: In case of enhancing the software proficiency of employees, the program will need to integrate online courses (via videos, reading assignments) with face-to-face practice lessons.

Key Considerations:

• Which skills or knowledge would you like the learners to acquire?
• What will be the program success measures?
• Is training to be focused on knowledge or skills or a combination thereof?

2. Select Blended Learning Model

Blended learning comes in numerous forms (e.g. rotational, flex, flipped classroom etc.), that fit different learning purposes and contexts. The preferred model will be determined by the course content, the needs of the learners and the resources at hand.

Example: Classes challenged at interactive learning may benefit using the flipped classroom model. The students may consume the online learning at home and use the classroom to do group activities or collaborative problem-solving .

Things to Keep In Mind:

• Which kind of learner engagement would you like to promote (self-paced, collaborative, etc.)?
• What are your available resources in technology?
• What quantity of face-to-face time is possible?

3. Select the Best Delivery Protocol

After selecting the model, determine the best delivery mode of the online and face-to-face components. The aim is to develop a harmonious experience, which will result in better learning.

• Online Components: These could entail tutorials on video, discussion boards, exams, eBooks or simulation.
• Face-to-Face Components: Practical workshops, team discussions, practical demonstrations and question and answer sessions with tutors.

Important Questions to Answer:

• What will be more efficient to deliver online (lectures, theory)?
• What materials need to be done in person (labs, workshops)?
• And what is the way the delivery methods can supplement each other?

4. Invest into Emerging Blended Learning and Training Tools

Technology is important in the provision of blended learning. Invest in Learning Management Systems (LMS), virtual classrooms and collaboration tools which can support online studies and can monitor student performance.

To Take into Consideration:

• LMS: Online lessons, assessment control, communication between learners and instructors can be placed and supported through platforms such as Moodle, Canvas or Blackboard.
• Video conferencing tools: to conduct live classes or group discussions, Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet are welcomed.
• Collaborative Tools: Such tools as Google Docs or Padlet or Slack may encourage group work and collaborative learning between the students.

Key Considerations:

• What are the technical proficiencies of learners?
• Is the technology user friendly and troublesome to both students and instructors?
• Does it include gamification, social learning or analytics to engage and track learners?

5. Evaluation and Assessment

Still, when the blended learning program has been installed, it is vital to evaluate its usefulness. Have student tracking online and in-person using formative assessment tools , quizzes, assignments, and check-ins.

• Data Tracking: You can track your student progress, participation levels and interaction to the online materials using the analytics provided by your LMS.
• Evaluation Strategies: Include formative (continuous) assessment of learning and summative (final examinations or projects) to make the success of the learners well balanced.

Key Considerations:

• Do learners attain the outlined goals?
• Is there any lacking awareness or participation?
• What (online or in-person) elements are more effective?

6. Gather Feedback and Change

Any program analysis should be accompanied by feedback to make it enhanced; a blended learning program is not accepted. Get feedback of both the learners and the subject luminaries frequently to determine what should be improved.

• Feedback collection methods: Surveys, an interview, a focus group, or merely informal talks.
• Iterative Process: Adjust based on the feedback (change the ratio between on-line and in-person activities, or change the content, or add new tools).

Key Considerations:

• Do students approve of the course?
• Do they believe the blended type of format is useful to them as learners?
• How can content, technology or methods of delivery be improved?

Future of Blended Learning

The perspective of blended learning is positive and it can develop at a rapid pace. Education at every level is restructuring to the more flexible and personalized settings globally that technology is enhancing.

Important emerging trends that would drive the future:

1. Greater Utilization of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence can also be used to personalize learning, depending on the performance of the students. As an illustration, chatbots that run on AI might provide individual recommendations or dynamic curricula.

Also read, teaching with ChatGPT, how they are using ai in education .

2. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

These immersive learning technologies might bring a paradigm shift to integrating in-person education with the online experience. Particularly in those disciplines involving practical or hands-on expertise (e.g., medical or engineering field).

3. Microlearning

Microlearning is more popular in blended learning format as short and limited learning modules. This will assist the learners to consume little bites of information on the Internet and use it instantly in practice.

4. Data Analytics

Advanced predictive analytics in education will assist teachers and institutions to make real-time progress. So that they can focus on how to individualize the learning, and insight about student performance.

5. Greater Global Reach

As internet access improves globally, blended learning will become a viable option for students from all over the world. Thus, enabling access to high-quality education regardless of location.

In the coming years, we are likely to see more adaptive learning environments. A place where students interact with both human instructors and AI-powered systems that adjust to their individual needs.

In Conclusion

Blended learning is revamping how we are teaching by providing a personalised, flexible, and learning experience. Its mix of distance and on-campus learning offers the ideal flexibility and connection.

This is for students to succeed in the world driven by technology. With more educational establishments and institutions adopting this method, blended learning will transform learning, collaboration and engagement with the content. 

The future of education is also getting hybrid and blended learning is at the eye of the storm.

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