Blended Learning: The Future?

Imagine a classroom packed full of cubicles instead of traditional desks. Imagine that each of the cubicles sports a full computer, and that a student focuses on each glowing monitor. The only sounds are the muted click-clicks of keystrokes. Finally, imagine yourself – the teacher of this unique classroom – positioned at a computer of your own, planning your next lesson from a constantly updated data stream based on the activity of your army of plugged-in learners. This isn’t your typical classroom. This is a blended learning environment, and it just might be the next big thing.

One Part Tech, One Part Talk

Blended learning is a style of teaching that combines the high-tech capabilities and potential of computers and other emerging technologies with more traditional face-to-face instruction. Essentially, the student completes online coursework, allowing the teacher to review real-time results. This detailed progress report can be used by the instructor to plan individual and group lessons, and effectively pinpoints strengths and weaknesses.

Sound far off and futuristic? It’s not. In fact, blended learning is already being used. A recent article by Jonathan Schorr and Deborah McGriff on Educationnext.org discusses how blended learning is being implemented in certain schools and institutions around the country (here is a direct link to the article).

Blending is Better

Why bother with all these bells and whistles? The reasons are many. Perhaps the greatest asset of blended learning is the data created through online instruction. A teacher can use this information in a variety of helpful ways:

• Areas of difficulty can be pinpointed and addressed from the beginning.


• Lesson plans are more dynamic when based upon current information. We all know that each and every classroom is different; blended learning allows a teacher to use these differences to better teach his or her individual students.


• Students can view their progress for an immediate sense of achievement; they can also figure out in which areas they are struggling, and use that knowledge to better focus their efforts.

It’s not all about computers, though. Blended learning has a positive impact upon face-to-face interactions as well. The idea is to use technology to make traditional teaching time more effective. Teachers can be confident that they are focusing on necessary skills. In today’s packed classrooms, blended learning also provides an excellent opportunity for small group work. Instead of teaching a room of 35, teachers might reinforce a math skill with 12 students that experienced difficulty while the rest of the class moves on to more difficult concepts. This assures that no one is caught unprepared for the next lesson.

We can’t forget that learning should be fun. Blended learning certainly has this base covered, as students make use of many unique and entertaining materials. Games, interactive lessons, and enhanced visual presentations grab a student’s interest and energy quicker than a chalkboard or textbook. It’s also an increasingly clear truth that modern students relate to the use of high-tech tools like cell phones, the Internet, e-readers, and more. The tools of blended learning will be comfortable in their hands, allowing easy and immediate access to educational content.

Are We Ready?

Not yet. Despite its early success, blended learning is still a new concept. It will take time to develop and refine for widespread use. Given the speed of change in modern education, however, the tide might roll in its favor at any time. Will you be ready? Let us know what you think of blended learning in the comments section below.