Blended Learning, The Way Of Learning That Is Here To Stay

Today, it is possible to learn at school as well as at home, or even learn while on vacation or sitting in the park. All these forms of learning are possible thanks to blended learning.

Even though, as a result of the global situation we are experiencing, this has intensified, the trend towards blended learning or blended learning  has been advancing strongly.

Most likely, in the not-too-distant future, learning that combines face-to-face contact with virtual and distance education will become  the best way to organize teaching by the educational system at all levels.

What are we talking about when we talk about blended learning?

When we mention blended learning, we are talking about a term whose translation is “ mixed learning ” and which refers to a form of teaching in which two strategies are combined.

On the one hand, synchronous and face-to-face learning and, on the other hand, asynchronous distance learning, online or remote, based on technology. Thus, the aim of blended learning is to  combine the best of each of the two modalities put together.

Currently, it is a trend for schools to contemplate blended teaching. This implies a logistical organization and combination of human, material, technological and infrastructure resources for the creation of the so-called  LMS, Learning Management Systems  or “knowledge management systems”.

These management systems are web platforms that allow access to courses created by and for educational institutions. Thus, a well-structured blended teaching can allow students to learn in a personalized and adapted to the objectives and training needs.

All of this so that the student can learn the subjects in the classroom, in person, but also outside it, so that they can be reinforced, revised and so that new knowledge can be acquired remotely.

Advantages of blended learning

• It offers students the  possibility of accessing various training paths, making teaching and learning more flexible and adaptable.
• Allows you to eliminate space-time and displacement barriers. Students can learn and solve their doubts immediately and quickly.
• It provides students, in instances and spaces of face-to-face learning, with pedagogical support. Regarding the use of different educational platforms and websites, they will be used by children in other spaces and moments of non-presential learning.
• It provides the possibility of  developing participatory and collaborative learning, both inside and outside the classroom, through different methodologies and applications that have this objective, such as the flipped classroom methodology .

• Enables a  more dynamic and motivating, fluid and  active training. It also allows for greater independence and autonomy in learning.
• As for the role of the teacher, he is no longer the only source of knowledge and fulfills a role more of a tutor and advisor that accompanies students in their learning processes.

Why is blended learning the future?

Our society is characterized by moving and constantly changing, and the  technology and the internet are present in almost all walks of life. In this way, education cannot be left behind and must respond to a society that demands the formation of citizens prepared to live within it.

Thus,  blended learning or blended learning  seems to emerge as a great challenge and a useful methodology for training. And not only the educational system, but also organizations and companies must adapt and get used to the blended environment, both as a form of teaching and as a form of social communication in general.

Some requirements to guarantee blended teaching

To achieve quality education that is accessible to all, blended education must meet certain requirements. For example, it must be a well-structured, planned and organized teaching, so that there is coherence and adjustment between face-to-face and non-face-to-face training, thus ensuring continuity in the students’ learning.

Furthermore, to achieve quality blended teaching, it  is necessary to establish a network of teacher education and training,  so that teachers can master the virtual teaching-learning environments with excellence, as well as the pedagogical teaching models required in these environments.

Finally, as already mentioned, adequate planning and good teacher training are fundamental requirements to achieve quality blended teaching. However, it is worth noting here that there is one more essential requirement: the inevitable adequate economic investment to achieve this goal.