Blended learning is one of the forms of delivering teachings that combine face-to-face with online delivery. It has established itself, especially in the last decade mainly due to flexibility, personalization and more participatory learning that technology has offered. A potential inclusion is the leveraging of instructional technologies and the integration of platform services into the blended learning services.
They assume prominence when describing how students learn and how instructors teach. This article will discuss how convenience has made blended learning one of the most favorite; its shortcomings and prospects. We’ll understand the impact of modern technology in making blended learning feasible and impactful for modern learning needs.
Role of technology on blended learning services
Here are some of the key factors stressing the importance of the technology on the modern blended learning solutions:
- More Versatility and Convenience
Due to digital technology, students can access forms of learning material at any time anywhere hence the resurrection of learning. Students from different geographic backgrounds or with different working shifts can now attend classes to suit their schedules.
This learning process appears very helpful, particularly for working individuals, part-time learners, and disabled persons who can study as they wish without the usual class setting.
Other aspects have also contributed to its accessibility because learning is easier through educational resources via smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Hence, learners get an opportunity to use the blended learning services according to their availability without any enhanced pressure.
- Personal Learning Experience
LMS and AI make it possible for the instructors to deliver instructions in such a manner that each student learns according to what he or she is capable of, weaknesses and or learning type. The use of assessment for real-time analytics in solution for blended learning lets the teachers determine how far the students have grasped and incorporated the content being taught, to adapt the material or extend instructions accordingly.
Further, adaptive learning technologies have changed blended learning contexts through the ability to set the pace itself, as well as work on the level of difficulty of the content depending on the particular learner’s results.
- Development of Collaborative Learning Instances
Blended learning has also favored the integration of technology in learning and therefore a collaborative learning environment. By incorporating online forums, virtual meetings, and teleconferencing, learners can work from any location.
WhatsApp for instance, allows the learners to work on projects in real-time and improve their group cohesion, concept sharing and problem-solving. Further, there are opportunities to use tools of virtual and augmented reality in collaborative learning.
For example, medical students can virtually dissect or architecture students can virtually tour buildings as if they are a part of a virtual space. Hence, the collaborative learning feature ensures that they’re never alone in the entire learning process.
Challenges and Considerations- Blended Learning Services
Despite having numerous advantages of integrating technology into the blend of learning, there are also numerous disadvantages.
- Digital Divide
As much as technology aids ease in accessing education for many it at the same time disqualifies others due to inadequate access to the internet, gadgets or knowledge of operating techniques.
This further exacerbates the inequalities in the access to education especially in needy areas or communities. Hence, it is crucial to ensure digital awareness of the learners using these solutions.
- Minimal Interaction
Though blending learning seems to get the best of both such things – the online and the face-to-face instructions, educators need to be very careful to avoid situations.
It refers to the struggle to incorporate this form of learning, teachers do not lose the human facet of teaching.
- Privacy at Stake
There is more student data collected online, which is why the problem of data privacy and security becomes more acute. In this case, institutions have to consider that adequate security measures are implemented so all the information is secured as well as adherence to the statutes on the protection of data.
Integration of Future Technologies in Blended Learning
Blended learning for the near future is not just the existence of advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning as well as smart content that will enhance the learning process. Virtual technologies will provide the chance to practice more for those careers that have to be quite hands-on.
Another area that is expected to grow is gamification where the material must be presented in the form of a game-like challenge. It gives an additional layer of motivation and engagement into an educational process.
This opens the door to and places focus on other aspects of solutions for blended learning, not just the cognitive but also the affective aspects. Further, it becomes easy for the trainers to deliver complex topics irrespective of the fear of learner disengagement or poor understanding.
Ending Note
The blended learning services have made a radical shift from being just flexible to becoming even more personalized but with bits of collaboration blended into it. Although the digital divide and data privacy have remained challenges that blend learning services experience, it is very clear that technology has had a positive impact on access and quality of education.
Indeed with every moving technological level, there will be more spirited, engaging, combined learning experiences that will keep schooling meaningful for the future learners.
