Source-linked AI summary
Blended Learning or E-learning?
Maryam Tayebinik, Marlia Puteh
TL;DR
The paper examines how blended learning addresses limitations associated with purely online instruction and whether it offers advantages over face-to-face instruction. Through a review of related literature, it finds blended learning favorable for learning experience and student interactions, while noting that engagement occurs when teacher and learner are separated.
Problem
The paper addresses disadvantages of e-learning and the debated preference for blended learning over other instructional approaches.
Method
The paper reviews related literature on blended learning and its application in distance learning.
Results
Blended learning is reported as favorable for students’ learning experience, student-student interaction, and student-instructor interaction.
Takeaways & Limitations
Blended learning is presented as an efficient distance-learning approach likely to emerge as a predominant instructional model.
Takeaways & Limitations
E-learning engagement is considered in a setting where teacher and learner are separated.
Abstract
from arXiv · showhide
ICT or Information and Communication Technology has pervaded the fields of education.In recent years the term e-learning has emerged as a result of the integration of ICT in the education fields. Following the application this technology into teaching, some pitfalls have been identified and this have led to the Blended learning phenomenon.However the preference on this new method has been debated quite extensively.The aim of this paper is to investigate the advantages of blended learning over face to face instruction through reviews of related literature.The present survey revealed that blended learning is more favorable than pure e-learning and offers many advantages for learners like producing a sense of community or belonging.This study concludes that blended learning can be considered as an efficient approach of distance learning in terms of students' learning experience student-student interaction as well as studentinstructor interaction and is likely to emerge as the predominant education model in the future.
1. Introduction and Background
ICT and internet technologies transformed education by expanding online and distance learning, while exposing limitations of purely online instruction. Blended learning emerged by combining online and classical learning to use the strengths of both approaches.
- E-learning developed through ICT integration in education and has been studied for both strengths and weaknesses.
- Internet technologies and the World Wide Web expanded online and distance education, particularly in higher education.
- Pure e-learning presents disadvantages, including inhibiting face-to-face communication.
- Blended learning combines e-learning with classical learning environments to address drawbacks of pure online instruction.
- The approach mixes the strengths of online and traditional learning, and varied delivery methods are associated with student satisfaction and learning outcomes.
- The paper reviews literature on online and blended learning, including differing interpretations of blended learning’s usefulness and effectiveness.
2. What is blended?
The literature offers multiple definitions of blended learning, but commonly describes it as a combination of instructional methods and ICT tools. These approaches seek to support meaningful learning by combining traditional classroom values with newer delivery strategies.
- Blended learning has no unified definition across the literature.
- One definition describes blended learning as a combination of instructional methods.
- Another defines it as a systematic and strategic combination of ICT tools in academic courses to approach instructional goals.
- The approach is also called blended, mediated, hybrid, web-assisted, or web-enhanced instruction.
- Scholars describe blended learning as combining web-based training or traditional-class values with classroom techniques to improve meaningful learning experiences.
3. A combination of online and face-to-face instruction
Blended learning is defined in this paper as hybrid instruction that occurs both online and in the classroom. Its defining elements are online learning and face-to-face instruction, with classroom communication retained alongside online-course facilities.
- Blended instruction contains two significant elements: online instruction and face-to-face instruction.
- The approach combines online-course facilities with the presence of face-to-face communication.
- Researchers also describe blended systems as integrating face-to-face instruction with computer-mediated instruction.
- The paper applies a definition of blended learning as a hybrid of traditional face-to-face and online learning.
- In the paper’s formulation, instruction occurs both in the classroom and online, with online learning extending traditional classroom learning.
3. Advantages of blended learning
Blended learning combines online resources and classroom interaction to provide flexibility, active participation, and additional support for learners. The reviewed literature presents it as a way to address online instruction’s shortcomings while improving learning experiences and interactions.
- Blended learning offers flexible resource use, active learning, and more faculty time with learners in small groups or individually.
- The approach has potential to change students’ learning experiences and outcomes.
- Blended learning is presented as a flexible approach that combines online-course conveniences with traditional learning.
- Technology in physical classrooms offers extra resources expected to enhance learners’ confidence, competence, and learning quality.
- Web-based resources can support deeper topic understanding and active student participation in class.
- Online engagement provides interactive communication among teachers and students and may facilitate cooperative activities beyond the classroom.
- Blended instruction combines varied delivery strategies to overcome online instruction’s shortcomings, increase learner satisfaction, and boost learning.
4. Blended learning in use
Blended learning combines traditional classroom instruction with online delivery and is associated with positive student attitudes, interaction, flexibility, and improved outcomes. The reviewed studies generally favor blended teaching over fully online and face-to-face alternatives.
- Blended learning combines traditional classes with online ones, creating a hybrid classroom model.
- High interaction between students and instructors, including scholarly discussion, is a reported advantage of blended learning.
- Blended learning supports learner needs, critical thinking, flexibility, and cost-related benefits.
- Blended teaching reportedly achieved better success rates than face-to-face and fully online methods in a three-year study.
- Students generally reported positive opinions of blended learning and its educational model.
- Perceived usefulness and simplicity of use positively affected university students’ attitudes toward blended learning.
5. Sense of community in blended learning
Blended learning combines online flexibility with face-to-face social interaction. The reviewed literature associates this integration with stronger community and attention to learners’ socialization needs.
- Adding human interaction to online learning addresses learners’ need for socialization and may support learning.
- Blended courses created a stronger sense of community among learners than traditional or fully online courses.
- Online learning offers flexibility, while face-to-face classes provide social features and needed communication.
- Blended learning reserves advantages of both online and face-to-face learning platforms.
- A principal reported benefit of blended learning is providing learners with a sense of community.
6. Mere online or blended learning?
Pure online learning is described as having interaction, isolation, and resource-related problems. Blended learning is presented as a more successful experience because it retains aspects of traditional classes and reduces isolation.
- Blended learning removes the feeling of isolation reported in online learning.
- Blended learning motivates greater participation in online classes by enabling classmates to meet and discuss virtually.
- Blended learning offers a more successful learning experience than virtual learning because it contains aspects of traditional classes.
- Lack of interaction may cause frustration and isolation, contributing to student dropout.
- Pure online instruction is associated with limited hardware, software, time, money, and pedagogical problems.
- Blended instruction has been suggested as a way to mix the benefits of face-to-face and online courses.
7. Face to face interaction still matters
Face-to-face interaction contributes communication cues and social contact that online learning lacks. Studies of blended environments report enjoyment, communication significance, and the value of retaining face-to-face contact.
- Face-to-face interaction conveys facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and eye contact.
- When these communication channels are unavailable, misinterpretation may occur.
- Visual information and subtle emotions considered crucial to remote communication do not exist in online learning.
- Students enjoyed blended environments in which face-to-face classes supplemented online classes.
- Students emphasized communication and interaction as significant for successful online learning.
- Blended learning provides online-course conveniences without leaving face-to-face contact.
8. Conclusion
The paper concludes that blended learning combines face-to-face instruction with online access, supporting learning experience, interaction, and community while addressing limitations of purely online environments.
- Blended learning combines face-to-face instruction with online learning and can complement both settings for pedagogical application.
- A harmonious balance between face-to-face interaction and online access is described as essential for an encouraging learning environment.
- Reported advantages over online learning include increased communication, face-to-face engagement, improved academic performance, and more practical learning.
- Blended instruction can foster community belonging and reduce frustration associated with a purely online environment.
- Face-to-face elements remain important because body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, and eye contact affect communication.
- The approach was presented as successful in distance learning for students’ experience, student-student interaction, and student-instructor interaction.