Blended learning: making it work in your classroom

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Kazakh Leading Academy of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Blended learning: making it work in your classroom

Moldabayeva Magira

Abstract: This article discusses blended learning as a flexible form, which helps students to seek solutions to problems and to acquire knowledge. As well as perspective step from training in the form of traditional lectures, practical lessons and seminars to interactive learning.

Keywords: blended learning, interaction, online, multimedia, integrate

In today's society there is a growing role of foreign languages. Knowledge of a foreign language gives young people an opportunity to join the world culture, to use in their work Internet resources and work with information and communication technologies and multimedia teaching aids.

The purpose of learning a foreign language -- is communicative activities of learners, that is, practical foreign language. The teacher's tasks are involve each student into learning process, to create a situation for their creative activity. In order to achieve all these objectives, of course, effective assistance to the teacher has use of computer technology and Internet resources in teaching English, and presentations.

The idea of application of new information technologies has been raised recently. It is not only modern technology but also new forms of teaching, a new approach to learning. Using multimedia tools help to implement student-centered approach to learning provides individualization and differentiation in view of children's personality, their level of training. Learning English with the help of computer programs is of great interest among students.

Definitions of blended learning varies in many cases. The definition of Blended learning is presented below: course that blends online and face-to-face delivery. Substantial proportion of the content, which is delivered online, typically uses online discussions and has some face-to-face meetings.

Blended learning is modern educational technology, which is based on the concept of combination «class-lesson system» technology and e-learning technologies based on new teaching opportunities provided by Computer technologies and modern training facilities. Application of blended learning principles allow teachers to achieve following objectives:

a) expand educational opportunities of learners by increasing availability and flexibility of education, taking into account their individual educational needs as well as the pace and rhythm of development of educational material;
b) stimulate formation of active position of learner: enlarge their motivation, self-reliance, social activities, comprising development of teaching material, self-examination and, as a result, increase the efficiency of educational process as a whole;

c) individualize and personalize learning process when learners determine their educational goals, ways to achieve them, taking into account their educational needs, interests and abilities, and of course the teacher acts as a mentor.

Blended learning refers to the combination of multimedia elements on a computer with classroom instruction with a teacher and learners. Blended learning uses each of its two elements (computer assisted learning and classroom interaction) for what each does best. Together these two elements of blended learning combine to create a whole system, which is stronger than its constituent parts.

In addition, it has some strengths. Teachers have long played an important role in foreign language learning and blending learning environment is no exception. Many functions can be carried out by an educated and well-trained teacher most effectively. Teachers provide interactive activities in the classroom. When learners produce either spoken or written language, teachers provide the best, most personalized feedback. Teachers can also help learners set achievable goals for their language learning.

Let us to discuss some weakness of it. Because a classroom situation usually involves one teacher for eleven, fifteen or more learners, teachers by necessity are limited in how much time they can spend with each learner one-on-one. The pace of instruction in class must proceed at an average speed, which is often too fast for some learners (I mean students whose level is Beginner or Pre-Intermediate) and too slow for others (students with Intermediate, sometimes with Upper-intermediate level). This can be disappointing to both teachers and learners. It can also be hard for teachers to know exactly how good each learner knows a specific concept because he or she is responsible for so many learners and so many concepts. Teachers are vital, and as technology evolves, it should be used to support them and their learners.

Now let me to consider some computer strengths. There are several things that computers have done well in language learning and these abilities are carried out in blended learning as well. Among these are abilities to:

1) provide learner with support materials in the form of texts, translations, pictures, etc. which enable learners to comprehend and process texts repeatedly and individually, and in greater depth than it is possible in a teacher-fronted classroom;

2) track learner's performance and adapt learning schedules to individual needs better than a teacher can in a classroom setting alone;

3) tirelessly provide learners with different learning activities intended to meet individual needs etc.

On the other hand, computers can't provide spoken interaction. They do not provide social interaction that motivates the learner to want to use language in many different situations necessary for development of communicative competence. They are also poor or inadequate at providing feedback about the quality of spoken and written language produced by learners and in supporting learners set individual learning goals. In all of these areas, the teacher and the classroom setting are essential to success of learner, which is an important part of a blended learning environment.

As well, a critical element of blended learning concept is reduced seat time. Reduction of time that learners spend in a face-to-face, traditional classroom format serves several purposes that offers several benefits including:

1) High educational institutions have the potential to manage instructional and facility resources more efficiently, teaching more students within a semester.

2) This approach is useful for students, providing convenience and flexibility associated with online learning, freeing up time for work or extra-curricular activities.

3) Blended learning develops a skill set for learners that to the contrary would not be possible in exclusive face-to-face instruction. Abilities include information management skills, self-directed learning, and web research and collaboration skills.

I asked the question «What is definition of Blended learning?» and realized that it is something I wanted as a teacher and did not have a name for it, nor did I have technology and administrative support to do it. Now it seems that there are more and more administrators supporting teachers in their blended learning efforts. Personally, I think it sounds great. Our society is on the Internet. Learning is acquired from everywhere, why not let this opportunity seek into the classroom.

Blended learning is the combination of having face-to-face classes with courses that are integrated with technology for instructional approaches. This model reminds me of the flipped classroom, but not totally flipped.

Here are examples of models of blended learning:

Why would you want a blended classroom? The teacher would place the foundational lesson on whatever platform he/she prefers Moodle, Power Points etc., the options are endless.

The student can access this information a day before the lesson, or up to a few days before the lesson begins in class. This is where teacher would give definitions to concepts. Explain background knowledge and give any other information needed for the student to understand the concept to be taught.

There would be areas (emails, discussion boards, forums, etc.) for student to ask questions, to allow teacher to clarify the foundational instructions as well as further define any concepts. During this time, if teacher needs to see the student one-on-one teacher can give further instruction to student(s) where needed.

blended learning interactive

The day the actual lesson is taught, the teacher would rapidly review key concepts, to refresh the foundational lesson and explain why the student needed to learn the concept and what they are going to do with the knowledge just obtained.

The class lesson would get far into the concept and bring an answer to the question «why». The teacher would answer questions during this part of the lesson on why you would use this knowledge. Such questions as, how is this information used in today's society? What challenges can be solved in using this information?

Applying these concepts to real world problems that need solutions, the student will make as large or great as possible their learning in using the higher order thinking skills, collaboration with other students and communication. Students are given the possibility to form their own opinions and defend them with factual knowledge.

Blended Learning will allow the teacher and students to explore more accurate and truthful learning in using skills learned from all subject areas.

Conclusion

The importance of application of electronic educational resources and environment in the context of high education does not require additional arguments. This is dictated not only by the development of program objectives, but also the need for the formation of such important qualities as motivation to the teaching of students, awareness when choosing path of learning, skills distribute and manage their own academic freedom. The promotion from traditional forms of training in the area of ??free educational environment is not so simple and requires a lot of effort.

Thus, in our opinion, the use of blended learning method should lead to a qualitative change in the content of education and a foreign language as a second language. A variety of resources, the electronic component of mixed course opens up new opportunities for presentation of educational material in an accessible and interesting way. To my mind, it is also a perspective step from training in the form of traditional lectures, practical lessons and seminars to interactive learning.

References

1. Garrison, D. R.; Kanuka, H. "Blended learning: Uncovering its transformative potential in higher education". The Internet and Higher Education. 2004.

2. Harel Caperton, Idit. "Learning to Make Games for Impact". The Journal of Media Literacy. 2012.

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