Blended Learning: The Future of Teaching and Learning Process

Abstract

Blended Learning (BL) is not just a trend, and we’re starting to see technology integrated in really intentional ways and it is an instructional methodology, a teaching and learning approach that combines face-to-face classroom methods with computer mediated activities to deliver instruction. BL is an approach to education that combines online educational materials and opportunities for interaction online with traditional regular classroom methods and it requires the physical presence of both teacher and student, with some elements of student control over time, place, path, pace, etc. where the educational institutions with a teacher present, face-to-face classroom practices are combined with computer-mediated activities regarding content, activities, delivery, etc. In a true blended learning environment, both the student and the teacher should be physically located in the same space. Despite this, the digital tools used should be able to be utilised by the students in order to enforce some control over the speed/topics of students learning.BL is also used in professional development and training settings and it allows students to learn at their own pace and their own ability level. By including a virtual environment, learning is not limited to a physical classroom and can happen in long periods, in bits and pieces, from home, from a coffee shop, during a lunch break, depending on what works for a student schedule. It provides increased flexibility, as it enables anytime anywhere learning and eliminates the need to attend class, which allows a further geographical reach, this helps students who can’t attend class at set times every day or week. Hence the main purpose of the present study focuses on the current situation of BL towards teaching and learning process of 21st century.