e-Learning Ecologies MOOC’s Updates

Blended Learning in Today’s K-12 Educational Environment

Blended learning, also known as hybrid learning, is the learning idea we, K-12 educators, may face sooner than we expected. Blended learning is the mix of face-to-face learning in the classroom setting and instruction delivered through technology (online). For years, K-12 classrooms have integrated a form of blended learning in their instruction from listening to stories online to having the majority of curriculums delivered through technology. Blended learning is not a new concept to colleges and universities. They’ve implemented blended learning in their classes whether they were on-campus courses or online courses. K-12 teachers may soon face a more intense form of blended learning come August. Many school districts, including mine, are working on a plan that could deliver instruction in the classroom setting two days a week and online learning three days a week. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, this is a very real possibility. Even if school districts do not have to implement this teaching routine in the fall, teachers may be encouraged to incorporate more blended learning into the classroom. A study done by Behjat, Yamini, and Bagheri called Blended Learning: A Ubiquitous Learning Environment for Reading Comprehension (2012) looks at the effects of blended learning on English majors at an Iranian University. The researchers found, “modern technology can be used to be at the disposal of teachers to improve their students' language skills” (Behjat et. al, 2012). Our world is becoming more technologically progressive and educators need to be just as progressive. Students are growing up in a world where technology is everything. Information is accessible at our fingertips and our instruction needs to be just as accessible. It’s the way our youth is growing up. I believe the challenge will be geared more towards the lower elementary teachers. The students in the lower elementary levels have not had as much exposure to technology and their reading skills are not as advanced, so creating a hybrid learning environment will look different from those who are in the upper elementary setting and high school setting.

 

Behjat, F., Yamini, M., and Bagheri, M. (2012). Blended learning: A ubiquitous learning environment for reading comprehension. International Journal of English Linguistics, 2(1), 97-106. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/45ca/89e8ab3cd19ac55bd92f633b3d77df3d4238.pdf

  • ‪Mohamed Elkholany‬‏