Blended learning can be fantastic for students and teachers alike. It will help you expand your learning efforts and improve the quality of learning.

In this article this article, we'll show you blended learning in general including some instances, as well as various blended learning strategies you can incorporate into your own practices.

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What exactly is blended learning?

Blended learning can be described as a way to teaching that mixes classes in person, with supplemental e-learning, whether it's via online discussions as well as extra synchronous or asynchronous classes or project-based work. Blended learning brings the best of traditional education-the passion and energy of live classes, with the flexibility and accessibility of online learning.

Since its beginning in the past, the phrase "Blended learning" has been employed to refer to 1. Combining delivery media, 2. Utilizing different instructional techniques 3. Combining instructional methods. mixing in-person and online instruction, but nowadays, we typically use this word "mix" to refer to a combination of in-person and online instruction.1

In the classroom, too the use of blended learning has become the rule rather than the only. A study conducted by UK universities showed that 69% of them had plans to incorporate blended learning. In addition, 82% said they are witnessing a rise in interest in blended learning. Also, in 2021 (during the outbreak) 60% of US college students had taken at least one online course. Online education is estimated to be $257.7 billion before 2027.

While we often associate an increase in learning online with the spread of AIDS, universities and colleges have been promoting on-line learning for a long time. This has included supplementary learning through online forums or projects. The process has been made easier by educational technology tools as well as online learning software like Blackboard as well as Canvas.

Online learning access has grown so popular that in 2023, the University of California decided to close a loophole in its system-it had so many courses available from online providers that students could earn an online diploma for far cheaper (they brought in an obligation to reside).

But blended learning isn't just intended for K-12 or higher education. Every type of education available, be it corporate education or the start of an online business blended learning is a great way to blend the most effective of in-person learning (the interaction, the subject flexibility, the conversation) together with the very best of online learning (the accessibility ).

    Blended Learning can be used to refer to:

• Activity-level blending: When one learning activity is in place both in person and on the internet.        
  
• Blending at the course level: when the course is in-person as well as online materials.        
  
• Program-level blending: Blending is common to a course of study but not with specific courses or other activities.        
  

1. See the chapter 1 discussion in Curtis J. Bonk and Charles R. Graham, The Handbook of Blended Learning: Global Perspectives, Local Designs (John Wiley & Sons 2005).

Here are a few blended learning data

• 85 percent of university students find online learning more efficient ( Erudera ).      
  
• Eighty-two percent of college and university students wish to have to have at least a small portion of their education to be done online (and 41% of them want to learn entirely online) ( UNESCO ).      
  
• A study of fresh college students of 2022 discovered that 27% preferred blended learning and 29% favored completely online. A decrease from the previous pandemic numbers, but still significant ( New America ).      
  
• The number of HTML0 users is 2.79 millions U.S. post-secondary students doing their degrees on the internet ( NCES ).      
  
• In the years 2019 and 2020 The pandemic caused postsecondary online learning to jump up from 37 percentage to 74% .      
  

Blended learning Systems

Blended learning can only happen due to the growth of blended learning platforms, the technological requirements to teach at-scale online. The blended learning system is constantly developing and expanding by introducing new technologies every day.

For example the Mighty Co-Host(tm) can create course outlines using AI. The capabilities are constantly evolving and adjusting blended learning in line with technology evolves.

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Blended learning vs hybrid Learning: What's the difference?

The terms "blended learning" as well as "hybrid learning" are often utilized interchangeably. However, sometimes "hybrid" is a reference to an amalgamation of online and in-person learners within the same classroom (sort like the way we define the hybrid event)--while blended learning predominately describes an amalgamation of online and in-person learning that is tailored to each individual learner.

The benefits of blended learning

There are many advantages to online learning and the simplest way to describe these is that it offers the greatest of both worlds! Since both in-person and virtual learning have positives, blended learning lets students take advantage of both approach and mitigate the negatives.

It's this balance that makes up the sweet spot for blended learning. For example, asynchronous online learning is often isolated. Blended learning can help you meet with other students every now and then to meet new people!

A New America study of blended learning within community colleges showed that the most important reasons why students liked blended learning was an opportunity to create flexible schedules, the chance to meet new people in the class and a sense of a higher quality education, the reduction of travel time and also a reason to get out of the house.

Blended learning benefits that go along with the in-person experience of learning

• The flexibility of online learning allows learners study from the convenience of their home as well as synchronous online learning that can be conducted at the learner's ease. It can be a great option for learning even for those who have other obligations to balance (e.g. the parent working a job has a ).    
  
• Accessibility Learner-led blended classes is more attainable for different learning types-letting learners follow their own path.      
  
• Green: There is no necessity to have classrooms (or heating/cooling or electric power). Online learning is eco-friendly and affordable.    
  
• Scalable: Even blended learning can be scaled. As an example, if you were teaching 3 beginning classes, you could combine these all into a single online discussion group.    
  
• Easier than ever: Tech for online learning is always getting better and accessible.    
  

The benefits of blended learning that are associated with a person-to-person experience

• Interactive: If students have trouble paying attention online, live learning can enhance this.      
  
• Connecting people: Students attending classes together can build meaningful connections and friendships.      
  
• flexibility: In-class classes offer flexibility of a different kind, the instructor can alter the discussions and material as they interact with the class.      
  

Blended learning examples

• A college instructor adds an obligatory virtual element to their curriculum, for example, engaging with students in a chat room and writing blog posts on the material and working on an asynchronous group project with students.        
  
• Walmart provides the one Global Walmart Academy that offers live and virtual learning opportunities for its 2.3 million employees.      
  
• Amazon has built classrooms inside the fulfillment centers of their company to impart employees the skills needed for the work they do in Amazon as well as those that aren't. They offer upskilling into some jobs that are in high demand.    
  
• Many executives MBA courses mix both live and online instruction to make up for the hectic schedules of MBA students. Many have full-time jobs while they complete their MBA degrees.      
  
• The U.S. Government's Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy teaches federal workers through a combination of online and in-person instruction.      
  
• The University of Phoenix is famous for its online education, however students are also able to take on-campus classes. It's an online degree that is blended.      
  

Blended E-learning

There's another option for blended learning, and that's blended online learning. Instead of combining in-person and online learning, blended e-learning incorporates components of Asynchronous andsynchronous learning in an online platform.

For instance it's possible to create an online course enabled with virtual Live chats, events and discussion forums in real-time. Or, you could have a course that's taught by livestreaming, but the recording is available after along with an interactive discussion board.

As with blended learning, online learning brings many of benefits of an in-person classroom and e-learning. The benefits include the energy of live sessions, from the discussions and conversations that happen in real-time, or your ability to respond to students' questions.

What's different is that everything happens via the internet. It gives you all the access and flexibility.

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Blended methods of learning

1. You can try a flip classroom

An approach that is common to blended learning is called a flipped classroom. Students take part in lectures or readings at home, and then the classroom can be devoted to discussions or engagement.

It can be difficult to be successful in K-12 schooling, although it is possible (younger learners typically require parental support). However, the method is utilized widely in higher ed as it is similar to the "tutorial" educational model that has existed for many centuries (it's the foundation of the Oxbridge system ).

2. Let the learning objectives guide

Blending learning should be guided by the way you can reach your goals for learning the best. This might seem obvious However, it is possible to use all the benefits of both online and live-based learning to meet diverse learning goals. A flipped classroom is an excellent example.

3. Select the best technology

The technology you select to facilitate blended learning will affect the success of your blended learning program. Of course, any attributes you're searching for in a blended learning platform must be reliable and functioning. They should play well together and make it easy for students to both use and navigate.

Here are some tips:

• Avoid complicated tech stacks. Try to find ways to add the features of blended learning you want without mixing and matching the software, which creates more complications.      
  
• Make contact with IT. If your institution has an internal IT department, see if you have current solutions.      
  
• Consider interoperability if you need to made sure that the blended learning technology you use is compatible with the existing learning and management systems.        
  

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4. Do your best to make the internet count

One of the quickest ways for blended learning to go wrong is by putting all the emphasis on classes in person and making online participation optional. The online portion of blended learning shouldn't feel as an added-on feature or afterthought. It should be considered a part of the curriculum and assign real learning objectives to participation online.

For example, having the option of a separate discussion space can be a recipe for low uptake. Try building 10 discussion reflections as well as 10 replies to other' reflections into your curriculum (e.g. worth 1% each for 20% of your total grade). By putting skin in the game for blended learning it increases the chance that you will get the best results.

5. You shouldn't duplicate traditional classrooms on the internet.

Blended learning presents a nearly limitless range of learning possibilities. The idea of replicating the same activities as a traditional classroom online can simply be a sad thing.

For example, lectures are fine.

• What about letting students and teachers watch the same documentary while chatting virtually?        
  
• Applying a theoretical concept to a popular film?        
  
• or playing a video online game that fits with course themes?        
  
• In addition, how about creating their own blog or website?        
  
• Or sharing on social media regarding course themes?        
  

The sky is the limit, so be innovative when it comes to making use of the internet to create formats.

6. Do not create synchronous and anasynchronous divisions.

It's tempting to assume that in-class needs to be synchronous and online should be asynchronous. However, that's not the case. Online activities may be scheduled to be synchronous through the use of live videos, chats and more. However, in-person events don't have to be concurrent.

If you're trying to choose between either asynchronous or synchronous learning the chart below can aid you in understanding the types of learners they best suit:

7. Orient students

Instead of slapping students into blended learning, host a session within the class (even in the computer lab, if you have access) to help them get started in the online aspect of your class. Make use of this time to show students how to sign on into the online learning system, as well as how to make use of different features and perhaps even do the assignment in conjunction.

Familiarity with the platform increases the likelihood of learners getting the most value from it. And technical difficulties are one major obstacle for blended learning.

8. Read your data

Because blended learning is a part of software platforms, you get an opportunity to interact with data. Data points could give valuable information on what's working and what isn't in your implementation of blended learning.

Check the data often.

9. Join a community of practice

Adapting blended learning of any type can be difficult when you are first beginning. Look for communities of practice in which you can collaborate and learn from other people who have mastered blended learning effectively.

Blended platforms for learning

1.

is a community-based and learning platform that includes a robust set of tools for livestreaming discussions, hosting discussion forums and running live events and including both synchronous and Asynchronous courses.

As a blended learning platform, it shines when it comes to brand-related or corporate education, and offers options for a branded app through Mighty Pro. And for those running an online course or training business, it gives you everything you need for monetization-building packages, managing checkouts, and charging in 135 different currencies.

2. Moodle

Moodle can be described as an educational learning management software that comes with many different types of content, as well as a solid set of engagement features for co-learning, things like discussion forums, collaborations, and messaging.

3. Canvas By Instructure

Canvas could be utilized as an educational hub, with a powerful LMS, effective tools for engagement, good mobile apps (better that Moodle) as well as LTI (LTI) compatibility to work alongside an institution's system of IT.

4. Blackboard Learn

One of the more common institutional LMS choices that comes with a lot of assignments and grading features as well as a number of good collaboration features (like the discussion board and live meeting features). Dashboards are easy to use by students and administrators.

Conclusion

Blended learning may be a challenge to try especially if you're not familiar with it. If done correctly, it can create fantastic learning opportunities and help you scale the scope of your instruction. I hope that this guide will get you excited to try blended learning, and you are eager to take your online teaching to life!

If you'd like to experiment with Mighty's blended learning platform, try it free for 14 days, no credit card is required.