Greetings my readers.

I hope you enjoy reading this blog post which is
my reflection on Topic 4: Design for online and blended learning.

Introduction

Blended learning is a term applied to the practice
of providing instruction and learning
experiences through some combination of both face-to-face and
technology-mediated learning.

Blended learning
entails the use of traditional classroom teaching methods together with the use of online
learning for the same students studying the same content in the same course.

The advantages of blended learning for students
include increased learning skills, greater access to information, improved satisfaction and
learning outcomes, and opportunities both to learn with others and to teach others.

How
to provide support, facilitation and scaffolding for students in online and
blended learning environments?

The following strategies can be employed to
support students in online and blended learning environments:

Before the course.

1. Having a pre-course module on time
   management skills
2. Clearly informing prospective students
   about the anticipated workload (hours per week) so that they can gauge their
   ability to undertake the course
3. Clearly informing prospective students
   about the technological requirements for successful participation in the course

During the course.

1. The tutor to monitor student
   participation in the course and provide feedback and or follow up when it is
   seen that a given student is lagging behind
2. The tutor to provide prompt responce
   to students inquiries
3. Tutor to provide technical support throughout
   the course. For example, employing more tools for communication and engagement
   such as Whatsapp groups

Opportunities
for further development in design for online and blended learning

Student retention is a challenge in online and blended
learning. This provides an area for further research and implementation of
research findings in the design for online and blended learning that ensures
student retention.

References

Cleveland-Innes, M. & Wilton, D. (2018). Guide
to Blended Learning. Burnaby: Commonwealth of
Learning

van Ameijde, J., Weller, M. and Cross, S. (2018). Learning Design for Student Retention. Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic
Practice, Vol 6 | Issue 2 | pp.41-50.