What Is Blended Learning? Key Elements and Advantages

Blended learning is a teaching method people are talking about a lot. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of education in Indonesia, along with daily life and many other fields. Teaching used to be face-to-face, or offline. It has now begun to change into several different models, one of which is blended learning, a mix of the two.

Blended learning is often mistaken for online learning. That is not accurate, because this method combines face-to-face teaching with online learning. Blended learning is a refinement of e-learning, which has students learn online only.

Elements of Blended Learning

Several elements matter when you apply a blended learning method. The first is face-to-face teaching. This is nothing new in education, especially in Indonesia. In face-to-face learning the teacher is more active than the students, which often leads to unbalanced interaction.

The next element is self-directed study. With blended learning, students get the chance to study on their own, because the learning process no longer centers only on the teacher or instructor.

Another element is applying concepts to problems. The instructor, teacher or facilitator presents material using a problem-based approach. Without being told directly, students are expected to offer or find solutions for the concept at hand. The last element is evaluating the learning method, to measure how effective the learning process is in the classroom or online.

Advantages

You get many advantages from a blended learning method, such as the following:

• Flexible

The first advantage is high flexibility. Students and instructors can learn anytime, anywhere. With this method, students and teachers do not have to meet and go to school every time.

Learning can take place online at any opportunity. By agreement, instructors can ask students to meet in the classroom for guidance, feedback and advice on the material they have been taught.

• More Interactive Material

Another advantage is far more interactive material. In a conventional class, teaching often relies on books or whatever is written on the board. With this method, instructors can offer many kinds of learning material, such as interactive videos, explainer videos from lecturers, e-book materials and even podcasts. Instructors can also run special sessions, such as live sessions, live chats and webinars. Instructors can also give students lecture materials.

You can trust your child's education to Sekolah Murid Merdeka (SMM). This leading school uses blended learning, combining offline and online lessons. At SMM, children get an exciting, more enjoyable learning experience that raises their interest in learning. Contact the school for more information.