Blend the learning solution 

You can blend the learning solution in many ways. This way the learner will have a challenging environment. Different learning preferences and learning styles can be addressed if the ways you offer the content are varied.

You can mix the following things:

1. offline and online activities;
2. synchronous and asynchronous activities;
3. different multi media assets;
4. different didactical interactions;
5. different ways of delivering the content;
6. selfstudy and collaborative learning;
7. formal and informal learning.

1. Offline and online activities

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The terms on-line and off-line have specific meanings with respect to computer technology and telecommunication. The concepts have however been extended from their computing and telecommunication meanings into the area of human interaction and conversation.

In computer technology and telecommunication, on-line and off-line are defined by Federal Standard 1037C. They are states or conditions of a "device or equipment" or of "a functional unit". To be considered on-line, a device must be at least one of:

• "Under the direct control of another device"
• "Under the direct control of the system with which it is associated"
• "Available for immediate use on demand by the system without human intervention"
• "Connected to a system, and is in operation"
• "Functional and ready for service"

while a device that is off-line is not (e.g. it has "its main power source disconnected or turned off", and is "off-power").

The ideas of "on-line" and "off-line" have been generalized from computing and telecommunication into the field of human interpersonal relationships. The distinction between what is considered "on-line" and what is considered "off-line" has become a subject of study in the field of sociology.

The distinction between "on-line" and "off-line" is conventionally seen as the distinction between computer-mediated communication and face-to-face communication (e.g. face time), respectively. "On-line" is virtuality, and "off-line" is reality (e.g. real life or meatspace). Slater states that this distinction is "obviously far too simple". To support his argument that the distinctions in relationships are more complex than a simple "on-line"/"off-line" dichotomy, he observes that some people draw no distinction between an "on-line" relationship, such as indulging in cybersex, and an "off-line" relationship, such as being pen-pals. He also argues that even the telephone can be regarded as an "on-line" experience in some circumstances, and that the blurring of the distinctions between the uses of various technologies (such as PDA and mobile telephone, television and Internet, and telephone and voice-over-IP) has made it "impossible to use the term 'on-line' meaningfully in the sense that was employed by the first generation of Internet research".

2. Synchronous and asynchronous activities

So let's have an overview. Marcel de Leeuwe, educational scientist and e-Learning specialist for 10 years, explains the differences:

Within synchronous learning; learning and teaching takes place in real time (same time) while the trainer and learners are physically separated from each other (place shift).

Examples include:

• listening to a live radio broadcast;
• watching live a television broadcast;
• audio/video conferencing;
• Internet telephony;
• online lectures;
• two-way live satellite broadcast.
  

Within asynchronous learning; learning and teaching takes place with time delay (time shift) and while the trainer and learner are physically separated from each other (place shift).

Examples include:

• self paced courses taken via Internet or CD-Rom;
• videotaped classes;
• stored audio/video Web presentations or seminars;
• recorded audio tapes;
• Q & A mentoring;
• reading e-mail messages.

Examples:

Asynchronous Learning	Synchronous Learning
Fax	Telephone
E-mail	Screen Sharing
Knowledge Base	Chat
Forum	Desktop Conferencing
Computer Based Training	Online seminar
Quick Reference Guide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Different multi media assets

Multi media means we represent information in more than one media format.  So we combine different things like text and pictures.

The choice of multi media is important to create a strong educational value. Some combinations can also be contra-productive.

More about multi media is presented in an other section of this WBT.

4. Different didactical interactions

Within e-Learning we can use very different didactical approaches. You could mix many of the following didactical elements:

• assignments;
• assessments;
• pre-test;
• discussions;
• reading;
• presenting information;
• create material by learners;
• watching a video;
• listening to a podcast;
• asking questions;
• seminar;
• workshop;
• demonstration;
• reading a summary;
• doing a game;
• participate in a simulation;
• etc.

5. Different ways of delivering the content

All kinds of content can be delivered to the learners in many different ways. Let's give an example. And because we are talking about blended learning, non-digital devices can be included in the e-Learning solution. In another section we will explain a bit more about this.

Examples of ways to deliver learning:

• computer;
• PDA;
• TV;
• mobile phone;
• e-inkt reader;
• book;
• iPod.
  

Every device and way has his own characteristics and (dis)advantages.

6. Selfstudy and collaborative learning

Sometimes people associate e-Learning with a learner who is sitting behind his computer and is totally alone in his process. e-Learning is reduced to self-study.

Let's see what The American Heritage Dictionary has to say about self-study:
 

 

But if we look at a truly blended solution with the highest learning outcome we will often choose to use the advantages of collaborative learning.

Research shows that it can be very beneficial to learn together with other people (can be in the same classroom but also in a forum). Of course we don't have to choose and we can vary the self study and collaborative learning activities.

 

 

 

7. Formal and informal learning

When we ask people what learning is, most of the time people start talking about training. That is only a part of the solution.

Everybody knows that you are learning outside of the classroom as well. This way of unstructured, unplanned learning is called Informal learning. It is the opposite of formal learning. Formal learning is a learning process that is planned with specified learning objectives, a didactical approach and a planning.

Jay Cross (you will watch his video) is a well-known expert on Informal learning. He considers Informal learning far more natural and effective as formal learning.

Please watch the 10-minute video of Jay Cross. He is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Business School and member of The Internet Time Group. He is creator of the Informal learning blog (http://informl.com/) and one of the main experts when it comes to informal learning.

Pieces of the puzzle

As a designer of a (e)learning solution you pick the pieces of the puzzle that match with your learning/performance objectives and it can change every time you design and develop a new e-Learning solution.

The choices are influenced by things like:

• budget;
• target group;
• learning objectives;
• time constraints (in developing and in training);
• technical restrictions;
• experience and competencies development team;
• IT readiness;
• number of learners;
• available techniques;
• vision on learning and service;
• etc.

 

Additional reading on blended learning

You can read this article for more information about blended learning.

This white paper shares research and thinking on Blended Learning as it explores: What is blended learning? Why blend? How do you blend? Where does one start? It is quite a basic explanation but it can structure your mind and give you some ideas for your own situation. Can help you defining how your solution should be build.