Tamil Nadu   

Bringing about a blend of e-learning and traditional methods

B.S. Warrier

A great merit of blended learning is that it can cater to individual preferences; mobile learning takes place via wireless devices such as PDAs, laptops

THE STYLES of teaching and learning nowadays go far beyond traditional pedagogic efforts within the four walls of the classroom. E-learning may be a standalone-style under certain circumstances. But it can be effectively combined with elements of traditional learning methods.

Such a combination is called blended learning.

Blended learning may even include m-learning (mobile learning) that takes place via wireless devices such as cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) or laptop computers.

Though e-learning stands for electronic learning, it has, as we have seen, come to mean learning using the computer and Internet.

The concept

One may argue that blended learning is not a new concept. Teachers have been using multiple resources for teaching — textbooks, audio/videotapes and different kinds of projectors, laboratory experiments, workshop tasks, tests and examinations, apart from face-to-face classroom instruction. The only new element is perhaps e-learning. In the modern environment, a proper blend may cover properly organised events such as face-to-face instruction from a teacher, online lessons, discussions either online or in a physical group of participants, seminars, or online communities.

The demands of new technologies and the 24/7 global environment cannot be satisfied with the only source of classroom instruction, with its inherent limitations. Blended learning on the other hand is an evolving process for the development of human capital.

The concept of learning and development has become more important than training and development. Although there is a lot of talk about knowledge management, knowledge-based strategy is often more about nurturing people with knowledge.

For achieving success with blended learning, there has to be considerable enthusiasm and commitment — much more than in organising a classroom lecture. But once you have jumped into the water, you are in a process with great potential. The boundaries are global. The resources are boundless.

A great merit of blended learning is that it can cater to individual preferences in learning style. We know that shirts tailored to suit individual measurements are far better than the `free size' shirts we may buy from a readymade shop.

The case of learning is similar. In normal institutionalised learning environment there is no such option. Peter Honey and Alan Munford, experts in learning styles, have classified learners into four categories — Activist, Reflector, Theorist, and Pragmatist. Their attributes are briefly indicated below.

Activists

Activists learn best when:

Involved in new experiences, problems and opportunities

Working with others in business games, team tasks, role-playing

Being thrown in at the deep end with a difficult task

Chairing meetings, leading discussions

Activists learn less when:

Listening to lectures or long explanations

Reading, writing or thinking on their own

Absorbing and understanding data Following precise instruction to the letter

Reflectors

Reflectors learn best when:

Observing individuals or groups at work

They have the opportunity to review what has happened and think about what they have learned

Producing analyses and reports doing tasks without tight deadlines

Reflectors learn less when:

Acting as leader or role-playing in front of others

Doing things with no time to prepare

Being thrown in at the deep end

Being rushed or worried by deadlines

Theorists

Theorists learn best when:

They are put in complex situations where they have to use their skills and knowledge

They are in structured situations with clear purpose

They are offered interesting ideas or concepts even though they are not immediately relevant

They have the chance to question and probe ideas behind things

Theorists learn less when:

They have to participate in situations that emphasise emotion and feelings

The activity is unstructured or briefing is poor

They have to do things without knowing the principles or concepts involved

They feel they are out of tune with the other participants, for example, with people of very different learning styles

Pragmatists

Pragmatists learn best when:

There is an obvious link between the topic and job

They have the chance to try out techniques with feedback, for example role-playing

They are shown techniques with obvious advantages. Example, saving time

They are shown a model they can copy. Example: a film or a respected boss

Pragmatists learn less when:

There is no obvious or immediate benefit that they can recognise

There is no practice or guidelines on how to do it

There is no apparent payback to the learning, for example shorter meetings

The event or learning is `all theory'

Most of you have in you the elements of more than one learning category. You can think and find out your strongest style and your weakest style to identify how you learn best. The optimum strategy can be adopted in each individual case.

Make the best

Each one of you is a different person in the matter of learning preferences. The learning style that suits you best may be chosen by each one of you by ensuring effectiveness.

What are the different steps that you should undergo to achieve this goal?

The first requirement is accepting the possibility of styles that are different from what is currently being followed by you.

The need and quality of learning in a particular situation should determine the most suitable style. Blended learning providers have to offer learning solutions and delivery systems to meet diverse requirements. Tailoring to meet the customer needs would involve offering a wide range of options and necessary coaching support.

In the world of changing patterns of educational effort, the best styles of learning have to be adopted by those who desire to maintain their competitive edge in various professional fields.

The days when one could survive successfully for decades on the strength of educational assets and qualifications acquired in early life are over.

Updating knowledge and skills in your preferred fields is indispensable for professional success. Blended learning is a blessing in achieving this objective.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Bringing about a blend of e-learning and traditional methods
Assessing autonomy of institutions
All for the nation's security
Grooming the country's bureaucrats
Obtain final Cauvery tribunal award: farmers
The spotlight on human resources
Two options for disqualified local body members
Pondicherry AIADMK pleased with its performance
Police shift focus from Poes Garden to Gopalapuram
It's all about higher education
City students develop fuel-efficient engine
Chembarambakkam to be linked to Chennai
New disease causes panic among villages
Briefly

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu