What Are The Different Types Of Blended Learning

With technology taking over every industry, it was a matter of time before it transformed the education sector too. Learning these days is no longer reliant only on physical classrooms. Instead, online learning has slowly been on the rise owing to its flexibility and convenience. Blended learning combines the advantages of both these formats to boost student engagement and learning. Here we look at some common blended learning examples. 

Rotation blended learning

In this form of blended learning, students rotate between traditional teacher training and online learning on a fixed schedule most often determined by the teacher. Here, one can have station rotation wherein students rotate through stations as long as one station is engaged in online learning, or lab rotation – here students rotate cross labs for improved access to online learning. This way teachers can focus on smaller batches of students while ensuring the other’s continue their learning via the online model. 

Flipped blended learning

Here the conventional roles of school and home are switched for a student. Typically, a student learns in school and then does assignments at home. In the flipped model, learning is done at home via online instruction and assignments are carried out at school under the guidance of the teacher. 

Flex blended learning

This concept uses online instruction as the primary medium to share course information but students are taught in a traditional classroom. Here, while all learning is done online, teachers are available in the classroom to help with any doubts or facilitate discussions in smaller groups. This combines online instruction in a traditional classroom with the teacher as a guide rather than the source of information. 

Enriched virtual blended learning 

Here the entire teaching is done via the online medium and students have the option to request teacher guidance when needed. This type of learning does not require teachers to be constantly present as in other models but can be made available if the student needs. The entirety of learning and assignments are done by the student using online material. 

A point to note is that there is no specific form of blended learning. This concept can be designed in a way that both teachers and students receive the benefits of blended learning. Every institute can design its own blended form of teaching based on characteristics particular to their students and teachers.