Empowering Student Success Through Blended Learning

In recent years, blended learning has become popular in higher education. With the advent of technology, creating learning experiences that blend traditional classroom methods with digital tools and resources has become increasingly easy. 

This approach, known as blended learning, offers many benefits to students. In this blog post, we will explore what blended learning is, the different types of blended learning, and the advantages of blended learning.

What is Blended Learning?

Blended learning is an approach that combines traditional classroom instruction with digital resources and tools. In a blended learning environment, students can learn face-to-face and online. 

The goal of blended learning is to create a flexible and personalised learning experience that meets the needs of each student. Blended learning can take many forms, depending on the student's needs and the instructor's goals. 

Some examples of blended learning include flipped classrooms, which involve students watching pre-recorded lectures at home and then coming to class to work on assignments or projects; online discussions or forums that supplement classroom lectures; and hybrid courses, which combine both online and in-person learning.

Types of Blended Learning

There are many different types of blended or hybrid learning, and the approach used will depend on the student's needs and the instructor's goals. Here are some of the most common types of blended learning:

Flipped classroom: In a flipped classroom, students watch pre-recorded lectures or instructional videos at home and then come to class to work on assignments or projects. This allows for more personalized learning and gives students the opportunity to work at their own pace.

Rotation model: In a rotation model, students rotate between different learning activities, such as online lessons, small group work, and one-on-one instruction with the teacher. This allows for a more flexible and personalized learning experience.

Flex model: In a flex model, students have more control over their learning and can choose from a variety of online resources and tools to help them master the material. The teacher acts as a facilitator, helping students when needed.

A la carte model: In an a la carte model, students choose specific courses or modules to take online while still attending traditional classes for other courses. This allows students to personalize their learning experience and focus on the areas where they need the most help.

Benefits of Blended Learning

There are many advantages of blended learning. Here are a few:

Personalised learning: One of the biggest advantages of blended learning is that it allows for a more personalised learning experience. Students can work at their own pace and choose the resources and tools that work best for them.

Flexibility: A flexible approach that can be adapted to meet the needs of different students and learning styles makes it on the list of advantages of blended learning. This allows for a more inclusive and accessible learning environment.

Improved engagement: One of the many advantages of blended learning is that it can help improve student engagement, as students can interact with digital resources and tools in addition to traditional classroom instruction.

Increased collaboration: Blended learning can also help to increase collaboration among students, as they have the opportunity to work together on group projects or online discussions.

Improved outcomes: Blended learning has been shown to improve student outcomes, including higher test scores, attendance, and graduation rates. This makes it one of the biggest advantages of blended learning.

What are Hybrid Pathway Programs?

Blended learning through pathway programs is particularly helpful for working professionals who would want to develop their understanding of a field.

Hybrid learning via pathway programs, where a pathway provider in India partners with a foreign university to provide many sought-after degrees such as master’s in computer science or data science, is becoming popular.  

One of the most pressing concerns among students aiming to pursue higher education abroad is the expenses associated with it. While traditional courses might come with a hefty price tag, there has been a significant increase in the availability of alternative study options like hybrid pathway programs. 

These options have been designed to enable students to opt for an international degree at a much lesser cost, thereby democratising access to a much-desired foreign education. 

Pathway programs are a flexible study option that is gaining popularity among students aiming for global exposure. With a pathway program, you can spend a portion of your foreign degree course in your home country, before moving to a partnering foreign institution to complete the degree. A hybrid pathway program, therefore, provides a suitable opportunity for students to get the best academic exposure at a comparatively lower cost.

Pathway programs are collaborative arrangements between Indian and foreign institutions which allow students to complete a part of the course in the home country and the rest abroad. Students can transfer their credits to a foreign institution after shifting from the home institution. The foreign institution will award the degree on completion of the course.

Moreover, since a part of the course is conducted in a home institution or online through a pathway provider, the tuition fee is also set as per Indian standards. Thus, pathway programs are a cost-effective option that allow students to receive a foreign degree and subsequent global exposure without having to worry about expenses.

Indian students studying a foreign degree course usually apply for a work visa after their course completion. Like a traditional course, students opting for a course through hybrid pathway programs are also eligible for a work visa. 

Learners in a blended degree course must spend a portion of their courses in a foreign country. This gives them the necessary global exposure and equips them with skills required for working in a foreign country. Therefore, one choosing a foreign degree course with hybrid programs is also eligible for work permits. 

Moreover, students in pathway programs can seek international employment opportunities by participating in the placement drives of partnering foreign universities after graduating. However, one must know that work visa rules vary from one country to another.