New technologies have impacted directly on learning methods, it is something that is beyond doubt. The way we study, we learn or make use of teaching resources available to us has nothing to do with the methodology that was used twenty years ago.
Today, classroom training, the most common and still predominant, is sometimes combined with e-learning to create a new concept: blended learning. It is a system that combines the best of classroom work and online work to optimize the time and resources of the person receiving the training.
Blended learning advantages
Go to class to study part of the agenda and make another part of the work from home (or office, or anywhere with an access point to the internet) has many advantages over only classroom training or exclusively electronic learning. Do you want to know what are the main benefits?
First there is a partial schedule flexibility. While it is necessary to go to class for the presential hours, we can organize our time as best suits for the work we will do from home, having this way more opportunities to reconcile work and family life.
On the other hand, not being necessary to go every day to the place where studies are taught, we can save the money from travel (gasoline, public transport tickets), lunch or dinner, or even accommodation.
At the same time, attending some classes still allows an occasional personal contact with the teacher and other students, which always helps to ask doubts or simply create a good atmosphere with classmates.
Blended learning drawbacks
In contrast, the blended learning also has its disadvantages. First, there is a strong dependence on the computer. If the student does not have a good Internet connection, his computer is outdated or it simply stops working or malfunctions, academic progress can be seriously harmed.
In addition, the absence of a permanent socialization with the learning environment (the learning center, teachers, students …) can mean a loss of formality and commitment that is always present when it is a full classroom training.
What do you think about ‘blended’ learning? Do you think it is a useful tool?