Blended Learning-A Shifting Paradigm

Recent innovations in the application of technology in education of technology in education have enabled learning to take place beyond the four walls of the classroom. Blended learning means those programs that provide some combination of both online and face to face learning. Blended learning is a formal education program in which a student learns at least in parts through delivery of content and instruction via digital and on-line media with some element of student control over time, place and pace. Blended learning supports all the benefits of e-learning including cost, reduction time and efficiency and location convenience for the learner as well as the essential one to one personal understanding and motivation that face instruction present. Blended learning provides more flexibility and support to students. These courses are associated with improved student learning outcomes. There are many benefits of blended learning like make teaching more interesting, students can access unlimited up-to-date resources available via web, increasing quality of learning etc. but there are some challenges of blending learning like technological problems, lack of trained teacher, more time consuming etc. Blended learning programme should be developed to provide opportunities for faculty to learn how to redesign their courses, teach well online and effectively use technology.