For the first time, globally best resources are universally accessible. What we mean by resources is technology. With the help of which, we can redefine education in Nepal. Technology has helped in bringing online learning into the light. Online education has started to become prominent in the Nepali education sector. Many schools in Nepal have implemented online education in their teaching methodology.
Online learning is proving to be worthwhile, but it does not mean that traditional learning methodology does not work. In this context, blended learning works as the bridge between these two learning approaches. This is a definitive guide about blended learning for parents as well as teachers and students.
What is blended learning?
Blended learning is a combination of traditional learning and the use of technology for learning. Students get the best of both worlds. Students go to school, sit in their class, and learn as usual. And technology like the internet is used as per the need of the students. They get access to learning materials and may submit homework and assignments online.
Students are provided with online learning materials. For example, a video related to the chapter of the course is provided. They can get a brief knowledge of the topic they will be studying beforehand. As the topic isn’t new among the students, the learning process becomes more easy and effective. This balance of traditional learning and the use of technology can be termed as hybrid learning.
Advantages of Blended Learning
Basically, in a blended learning approach, students do some of their learning with web-based content and instruction through the internet. Then they complete their assignments or projects in the school with the help of teachers.
Blended learning seems to reinforce student-centered learning, allowing students to digest content in the way they are comfortable with. With the help of technology, each student can easily put their individualized needs forward. They can ask their teachers online whenever they have any questions.
It provides flexibility for teachers to adapt to how they teach. Teachers can focus on each student as everyone has prior knowledge about the subject. Similarly, it also provides flexibility for students. They can self-direct themselves and learn with self-pacing. As a whole, your child has an element of control over where, when, and how they study.
This approach helps to remove learning barriers through engagement between students and teachers. Students have prior knowledge of what they are going to learn. In addition to that, students learn topics more deeply by making more connections through multiple learning styles. This could translate to a much greater interest in learning and generate more successful outcomes for your children.
Now, let’s go through some of the popular types of blended learning:
- Flipped Classroom
Among other learning methods, it is the most widely used approach. Students learn at their home and complete projects or perform tasks at school with the help of a teacher.
- Remote Blended Learning/ Enriched Virtual
In this approach, students are exposed to learning materials and complete the course online. But instead of fully learning remotely, they go to school/campus as per the need to learn from the instructor.
- Lab Rotation Blended Learning
It is very similar to station rotation learning. All students are provided with computer labs. They rotate within a computer lab or different stations where each computer includes online learning materials.
- Flex Blended Learning
It is similar to a remote approach. The students complete the assignments or coursework online by staying in a physical class. But teachers will be available to guide them as per their needs. So, this approach is a flexible method to teach and learn.
- Project-Based Learning
Project-based learning makes use of online resources. Students use online learning materials and also face-to-face instruction to complete a project. It could be an individual project or a group-based project.
How Adhyayan is incorporating blended learning
Adhyayan School is a partner with Leapfrog Technology. We aim to innovate education in Nepal with technology, design-thinking, and project-based learning.
For the past eight years, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know, and love Nepal. I’ve worked alongside talented and inspiring people who are the lifeblood and leaders of Leapfrog. I’m grateful for the chance to leverage my learnings in EdTech and Project-Based Learning to help Adhyayan foster the next generation of engineers and leaders.
- Chris Sprague
CEO of Leapfrog, Vice-Principal Global Education and Technology of Adhyayan School
By partnering with Leapfrog Technology, we create a place to guide our students to become engaged critical thinkers and problem solvers on a pathway to successful careers. The primary goal of Adhyayan school is to use technology to enhance the learning experience among our students. Similarly, Adhyayan school had started incorporating a blended learning approach before the Covid- 19 situation.
We started using a blended learning approach on a small scale. To get the most out of it, we continuously monitored the progress. This helped us to know better if the approach was working or not. To know if it helped to enhance the learning experience among our students.
We, at Adhyayan, have been using platforms like Khan Academy to encourage personalized and self-paced learning. Additionally, we are using a ‘Lab rotation’ method of blended learning. Students get easy access to learning materials online and can learn at their own pace.
Webinar on Blended Learning
We, at Adhyayan School, have been incorporating blended learning in our curriculum. To cover more on this topic, we conducted a webinar on the topic.
The speakers were Mr.Sandeep Sharma, Principal & Director of Adhyayan School, and Mr. Chris Sprague, CEO of Leapfrog Technology and the Vice Principal of Global Education and Technology at Adhyayan School, The webinar was hosted by Mr. Diwas Shrestha, Marketing Manager at Adhyayan School.
Watch the full video of the webinar to gain more insights on blended learning, it’s benefits, and how the schools can implement this learning approach in their curriculum.
How can you implement blended learning in your school curriculum?
Blended learning might be a new concept to some of us. This may raise some questions. Whether it will support the current education system in Nepal? If it will assist the students for examinations like SEE (Secondary Education Examination)?
Incorporating this approach in our educational system does not change the existing curriculum or the content. The primary motive is to change the modality of delivering education. To enrich the teaching and learning experience of teachers and students respectively.
Before implementing this learning approach, the first step is to understand how it works. Then, you need to align it to the goal of the school and use it in the way it best meets the needs of the students. You can start by using the approach in a small scope and continue to test the result. You can incorporate a blended learning approach in one course and then expand it as per the requirement.
We as parents, teachers, and students have to use the available teaching-learning resources and also ensure that everyone has access to learning materials. It does not matter which learning approach, our main objective should be to provide the best to the students and help them to learn and grow.
Adhyayan is committed to providing the best learning experience to our students and building a path for their bright future. For more information about our online classes and our curriculum. email us at info@adhyayan.edu.np or call us at: +977 1 4989133 or +977 9823596841.