Blended Learning: Definition, Challenges, and Examples
Blended learning mixes online and face-to-face teaching. Read the blended learning definition, its main challenges and an example of how schools apply it.
As times change, technology is reshaping many areas of human life. Education is one of them, with a range of learning models now built on technology. One is blended learning, which has become a trend of its own. What is it, and how is it applied?
What Blended Learning Means
The blended learning method has recently become a hype and more and more schools are adopting it. This model is also often called hybrid learning: a mix of an e-learning system and a face-to-face system. You could say blended learning is a refinement of e-learning itself.
E-learning has been used in Indonesia's education system since the COVID-19 pandemic. But many people feel that online learning can cause students to suffer learning loss. With that concern in mind, blended learning became the solution.
Blended learning combines different ways of delivering lessons, teaching models and learning styles. Students can learn independently and, at the same time, do not lose the social contact with teachers and friends at school. Students are also introduced to a variety of learning media within the system.
Challenges of the Blended Learning Method
Blended learning is touted as a solution to the risk of learning loss in e-learning, but applying it comes with challenges of its own. The model is also fairly new and has not been widely used before. The challenges include the following.
1. Dependence on Technology
Much like e-learning, the blended learning model faces the challenge of depending on technology, since the method combines face-to-face and online learning. Schools therefore need facilities, tools or infrastructure that can support the teaching and learning activities.
2. Strong Technology Skills Are Needed
Having the technology is not enough. Solid knowledge of the facilities, tools and infrastructure is also needed. Teachers and students must be able to handle the technology before the teaching and learning process begins.
Examples of Applying the Blended Learning Model
When students learn through two approaches at once, you can see an example of the blended learning model in action. Students use two learning methods: online, and face to face at school or by video conference.
In this model, students are asked to study the material the teacher will cover. The material can be a learning video or a module, given before the meeting. Then, when they meet with the teacher, the material is reviewed again and extra material is added.
This blended model has been a solution during the pandemic. Unfortunately, it faces many challenges because the system is still fairly new. If you want to try it, you can enroll your child at SMM (Sekolah Murid Merdeka), a leading school that is better prepared to run blended learning. SMM has done it for a long time, even before the pandemic.
