Taking an education has always been the same throughout the times. Getting up early in the morning, having a nice breakfast, and then proceeding to take the bus to school. Throughout time, we have been absorbing knowledge in a traditional setting. Physical classes and face-to-face interaction of teachers were what we are accustomed to. However, technological advancement is here to challenge everything we do, turning it upside down. Since technology penetrated our lives, our lifestyle has changed. From buying grocery to booking a taxi, everything is being done on a smartphone device. It has even changed the dynamics of education. Students can easily continue their education online. They can easily search for online class help. This revolutionary change is still in its experimental form. Whether it works or not is still to be decided.
Online learning has opened up a lot of opportunities for students. Students who work multiple jobs and don’t have the time to attend physical classes can easily take their education on their phones. All they need is a solid internet connection, and they are good to go. Online learning has many benefits to offer, but the online realm is not glued to this one form of education. The opportunities are endless. There is one other form of online learning called blended learning, and we are here to discuss that in detail. In this article, we would go step by step detailing the phenomenon of blended learning, and how it differs from traditional learning. Let’s find out.
Online Learning is Poles Apart from Traditional Learning
Before we dig into the concept of blended learning, we need to distinguish between online learning and traditional learning. Traditional learning is associated with physical classrooms with desks and all that. We have been receiving our education from this academic setting all our lives. Traditional learning is an interactive face-to-face learning experience. Whereas, online learning is predicated on a whole another academic setting.
As the name suggests, online learning entails receiving your formal education through online. In today’s time, where everyone is dependent on the use of the internet, online learning serves as a convenient platform for many. All you need is a smooth internet connection and a computer to start the process of online education. Fortunately for us, our smartphones pack so much power that we can easily take our online classes through them.
Both of these platforms provide different benefits to different students. Students that are accustomed to the experience of a physical classroom find it hard to adjust to an online class. Similarly, students that are enrolled in an online education degree find online learning better than the traditional one.
Misconception Regarding Online Learning and Traditional Learning
At face, these two platforms seem to contradict each other. One is on-campus while the other has no physical boundary attached to it. Students that are enrolled in an online degree can easily take their classes from the comfort of their homes. On paper, these two platforms don’t coincide with each other. However, this is a misconception.
What people don’t understand is that online learning and traditional learning can go hand in hand. The two can very well complement each other if implemented in the right way. If these platforms are implemented in the right way, it gives birth to a new concept called Blended Learning.
What Is Blended Learning?
Blended learning is a combination of online academic resources mixed with the traditional learning experience. In blended learning, teachers use both online and on-class facilities to enhance the learning experience of students. No, we don’t mean using computers, and IT facilities constitute a blended learning experience. Computers have been used in classrooms and labs for a long time. It is the usage of online resources mixed with traditional learning that constitute a blended learning experience.
It has proven to be a rising method in the world of enhanced learning. Teachers who use this hybrid model are giving students an opportunity to take advantage of both. This is proving to be a game-changer if we are to bring a generation that can keep up with the growing technology. We want a generation that can enjoy the benefits of online learning as well as receive credible traditional education.
Every person learns differently. Some like face-to-face interaction while others go for practical examples. Blended learning is here to bridge that gap and provide an all in one way of learning. AR, VR, and other technologies can be easily used in a physical traditional classroom to enhance the way students learn things. It is productive and it includes the element of fun in it, kicking boredom out of the class.
Advantages of Blended Learning
There are many advantages of blended learning that makes it a choice to be considered. Educational institutions are quick to realize the importance of blended learning methods and have implemented it into their models. Below, we will try to show how blended learning is here to stay.
Element of Focus
Blended Learning can provide teachers with an opportunity to capitalize on new techniques that enhance focus based teaching. In traditional learning, teachers try to give generalized lessons based on a particular topic. However, in blended learning, teachers can have their own way to go about a particular topic. Using technology-driven resources, teachers can increase the engagement of students in a particular class.
It Provides Convenience
Before online learning was introduced, if a student skipped a class, they miss the whole day of education. There was no way of any alternative to avail access to. Therefore, it became important to attend classes no matter what. Soon, the traditional classes were all about having full attendance rather than education and learning. Blended learning can change that. By providing a hybrid model of online and traditional classes, students can easily continue their classes online if they miss a day.
This facility of receiving education from the comfort of your home is extremely beneficial for students that are already knee-deep in different jobs.
Disadvantages of Blended Learning
Everything has its pros and cons, and blended learning is no different. There are many pending issues with this way of learning that still needs to be addressed. Let’s discuss one at a time.
The Issue of Internet
Blended learning is predicated on the usage of the internet. For students that can’t afford a high-end internet connection outside of their educational institution, this becomes a problem. They can’t enjoy the same benefits of online blended learning as the rest of the students. Educational institutions that implement blended learning needs to address this issue. Only if they provide relevant technology and internet devices to students, they can eradicate this issue.
We Are Becoming More and More Dependent on Technology
It is, as they say, excess of anything is harmful. At one hand, it is important for us to use any opportunity and take its benefit, but we need to be careful about it. Too much dependence on a particular technology is harmful to both students and teachers. For instance, if at one-time technology isn’t available, it can easily disrupt the flow of learning. Moreover, students can grow accustomed to using online class help and take whatever help they are required. To ensure a good balance, we need to figure out the rules of blended learning.
Best Online Class Help 