What are the challenges of Blended Learning ?
Among the challenges of offering Blended Learning are:
How to manage instructional complexity
How to design it.
How to manage the roles and responsibilities.
How to create a seamless learning experience.
How to meet expectations
How to control costs
How to manage instructional complexity: In blended learning the instructor has a wider choice of delivery mediums to combine. With that wider choice also comes greater complexity and pressure on the instructor and designer. This is due to the variety of combinations of technology and possibly the lack of patterns to follow for that particular mix. These issues need to be addressed up front and taken into account during the design. We also need to take this into account due to its effects on the learner. It is easier to finish an online module and start another online module, for example, than it is for that second module to be videoconferencing based. Such changes require the learner to adapt. Time, guidelines, and even brief demos might need to be provided for the learner.
How to manage the roles and responsibilities: Unlike traditional classroom learning in which there usually is a single instructor, in blended learning you might have multiple individuals, each taking a modality or role in the blend. Up front clarification of instructor and assistant roles is essential for success and the reduction of potential conflict and learner confusion.
How to create a seamless learning experience: Good communications among instructors and careful planning is another important element in the success of blended learning. Make sure that instructors and assistants communicate with one another throughout the instruction, not just before the course. Make sure that as different segments of the blend are designed, all prerequisites are met by the previous learning objects. Arrange learning objects or alter meeting times to insure each segment reinforces the previously acquired knowledge or skill and introduces new concepts seamlessly in spite of the different modality of delivery.
How to meet expectations: As with any new technology, there are those that endorse it and there are lagers. While many perceive the lagers to be difficult, a greater challenge is posed by overly eager fast endorsers. These overly eager individuals tend to overestimate the benefits and make others develop false expectations. Manage the expectations carefully so you can meet them and have success. Management of expectations is also important for instructors and learners to realistically perceive the benefits and work to be performed during the training or course.
How to control costs and meet ROI goals Blended learning offers great flexibility and great effectiveness as it can chose the best medium for every objective, however, the challenge is to make the blend not only effective but also efficient. In cases where multiple instructors are used it is natural for each to perceive their part of the blend with disproportionate importance. As a result, without controls, ROI will suffer. From the design stage put in place cost controls that work hand in hand with quality assurance and learning effectiveness measures.
How to manage instructional complexity: In blended learning the instructor has a wider choice of delivery mediums to combine. With that wider choice also comes greater complexity and pressure on the instructor and designer. This is due to the variety of combinations of technology and possibly the lack of patterns to follow for that particular mix. These issues need to be addressed up front and taken into account during the design. We also need to take this into account due to its effects on the learner. It is easier to finish an online module and start another online module, for example, than it is for that second module to be videoconferencing based. Such changes require the learner to adapt. Time, guidelines, and even brief demos might need to be provided for the learner.
How to manage the roles and responsibilities: Unlike traditional classroom learning in which there usually is a single instructor, in blended learning you might have multiple individuals, each taking a modality or role in the blend. Up front clarification of instructor and assistant roles is essential for success and the reduction of potential conflict and learner confusion.
How to create a seamless learning experience: Good communications among instructors and careful planning is another important element in the success of blended learning. Make sure that instructors and assistants communicate with one another throughout the instruction, not just before the course. Make sure that as different segments of the blend are designed, all prerequisites are met by the previous learning objects. Arrange learning objects or alter meeting times to insure each segment reinforces the previously acquired knowledge or skill and introduces new concepts seamlessly in spite of the different modality of delivery.
How to meet expectations: As with any new technology, there are those that endorse it and there are lagers. While many perceive the lagers to be difficult, a greater challenge is posed by overly eager fast endorsers. These overly eager individuals tend to overestimate the benefits and make others develop false expectations. Manage the expectations carefully so you can meet them and have success. Management of expectations is also important for instructors and learners to realistically perceive the benefits and work to be performed during the training or course.
How to control costs and meet ROI goals Blended learning offers great flexibility and great effectiveness as it can chose the best medium for every objective, however, the challenge is to make the blend not only effective but also efficient. In cases where multiple instructors are used it is natural for each to perceive their part of the blend with disproportionate importance. As a result, without controls, ROI will suffer. From the design stage put in place cost controls that work hand in hand with quality assurance and learning effectiveness measures.
by : shaikhah al-qasim
