Week 9

Blended Learning Definition	Strengths	Weaknesses.
a systematic process of selecting appropriate learning and teaching strategies, technology and media to achieve learning outcomes set (adapted from Dick, Carey, & Carey, 2009; Holden & Westfall, 2010).	Systematic –planned and structured design that aims to incorporate appropriate technologies will anticipate and create a framework For the course.	Generic design lacks relevance to community needs and diversity of individual &/or community. Potentially lack of student engagement due to individual needs.
‘a formal education program in which a student learns at least in part through online learning, with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace; at least in part in a supervised physical environment; and the modalities along each student’s learning path within a course are connected to provide an integrated learning experience’ (UNSW Faculty of Medicine.	This definition allows for the learning to take place anywhere which would support the integration of mobile and workplace learning. Connectedness is critical between peers and the facilitator to further develop and demonstrate effective collaborative learning	Independent learning Digital literacies Professional development Technology access and support
My comments about blended-learning are that  programs are learner centric with interactions between teacher, peers and others who support the learning. ·         Blended Learning design engages the individual in their personalised learning space with Integration of learning experiences and Learning environments. The use of technologies means learning may be at work, in the community or a specified learning space individually or with a group. ·        Blended learning  design learning activities  and media connects learners and facilitators in collaborative learning and feedback	increase learning outcome and decrease  attrition rates	professional development technological challenges and changes Learner preparation/support assessment considerations

Developments in technologies and communication have provided significant changes and opportunities for new ways of teaching and learning. The integration of technology into education design with a combination of face to face classes and online learning has been defined as a blended approach this I believe is no longer an adequate explanation of blended learning.

Providing access to information online for students to access is not learning on line as this could just a easily be a content repository or database. Describing blended learning as a combination of classroom and online I believe is limited as does not capture learner experiences in different environments.

·        Blended learning must include engagement and collaboration in the learning with effective strategies to respond to learner’s participation.  

·        Educational leadership and infrastructure are vital for the integration of technology into learning through flipped class rooms and blended models of learning.

·        Blended learning requires development of new pedagogies. Commitment to continuing professional development and growth is essential to develop capabilities, currency and confidence in educators.

·        Investment in infrastructure new technologies and learning spaces that support blended learning.

I

Garrison, R. Kanuka, H. (2004). Blended learning: Uncovering its transformative potential in higher education. Internet and Higher Education, 7, 95-105.

Gogos, R.(2014). ‘Why Blended Learning Is Better ‘Accessed May 11^th 2014, from website http://elearningindustry.com/subjects/companies

Johnson,L.,Adams Becker, S., Estrada, V., & Freeman, A. (2014). NMC Horizon Report: 2014 Higher Education Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium,(p.4). Retrieved May 11^th , 2014, from http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2014-nmc-horizon-report-he-EN.pdf

Schleicher, A.(2012). Ed., Preparing Teachers and Developing School Leaders for the 21st Century: Lessons from around the World, OECD Publishing (p.33-54).

The Flexible Learning Advisory Group (FLAG). Accessed May 11th 2014, from website  http://www.flag.natese.gov.au/