The pandemic has forced our education industry to adapt at a fast pace into an online learning setting. As COVID-19 cases are subsiding in Victoria, our state government has released information on how we can get our education back into the classroom.
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Until a vaccine is available, the threat of another wave is still looming, making it essential for an organisation to have a contingency plan. They need to prepare themselves to go online with a ‘simple flip of the switch’ if the virus is to flare up again.
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At this stage, primary school and pre-tertiary (VCAL & VCE) are expected to be returning to their schools. At the same time, apprentices and university students in their final year of study are also permitted for onsite learning. As they are the exception, most students and learners will be staying online for a little while yet.
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Onsite education will develop into a ‘COVID Normal’ state, this will be different to our pre-pandemic times. Education providers implementing COVIDSafe plans, the use of PPE, safety measures and good hygiene standards will hopefully keep the virus out of the classroom.
Don’t forget to wash your hands, kids!
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Education has changed, we’re not sure if it is for the better just yet. However, there is no better time to start planning the contingency for your organisation.
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Before the pandemic; schools, universities and registered training organisations (RTOs) relied heavily on mentor-lead classes, programs or courses. Students, learners, teachers and instructors alike have had to adjust and welcome online learning; impacting us to be more independent and responsible in our learning journey.
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Through this change, an exciting opportunity has presented itself for blended learning.
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People have different preferences in the way they learn, and these are categorised into learning types; classroom settings tend to accommodate only a couple of these types. But through online learning, courses can be created and modified to engage all learning types – through a blended learning approach.
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To put blended learning simply, it meets traditional instruction with cutting-edge online technology. Still, it’s also so much more than that. It enables learners to have more control over their learning experience.
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If more education providers could permanently integrate an online element to accompany their classroom teachings, students would benefit immensely! This will lead to better engagement and better student learning outcomes. Blended learning allows learners and educators to stay agile in this unpredictable climate of the pandemic, being able to switch back online in an instant if necessary.
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Blended learning gives learners freedom.
By including an online element with your classroom teachings, it gives students the freedom to control their workflow and not get left behind.
People learn at different paces, and as humans we have good and bad days.
During the bad days, the learner may not retain much content in class. However, with a blended learning approach, they can hop online later and revisit the content when they are more susceptible to consuming knowledge.
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Blended learning allows educators to track progress and learning outcomes
As educators, it is a bit frightening not being able to see your students regularly and gauge how they have been tracking in class.
But through blended learning, online courses can be uploaded as a SCORM into your Learning Management System (LMS) and data is collected as learners progress through completing units and assessments.
The reporting functionality can easily show educators who are excelling or lagging behind – very handy for grading, results in time or parent-teacher night!
Homework & assessments can be set and managed through an LMS too – knowing for sure which students have or haven’t kept up with their task; not all learners require help in the same capacity. The ability to give individual attention is a massive benefit to both the learner and educator.
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Blended learning enhances engagement and knowledge retention
Not all learners learn the same way, and classroom settings are only beneficial for some. With a blended approach, learners can be in charge of their journey by being self-directed rather than instructed by external drivers.
We can amp engagement up even further through introducing gamification or award systems into learning objectives.
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Blended learning can be more interactive
With blended learning online, educators have more opportunities to provide feedback through discussion boards, chatrooms, or messenger. Giving learners exactly what they need right when they need it.
Social learning or peer-to-peer learning can also play a major part in an online setting. It takes pressure away from the educator by allowing learners to help one another in the instant that they need it. Educators can focus on guiding conversations in the class when learners can talk amongst themselves collaboratively about tasks on hand.
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Our experts here at eCreators have addressed these kinds of challenges a hundred times over. They would be more than happy to help you get the online learning element of your classroom up and running.
Content solutions with a blended approach can be varied and diverse to accommodate all learning types.
Our experts will work with you to produce online learning that can achieve the best possible learning outcomes for your students. Get in contact with us today!
