Learners Progress on Blended Learning

Erlinda F. Tan

The advent of online education has made it possible for students with busy lives and limited flexibility to obtain a quality education. As opposed to traditional classroom teaching, Web-based instruction has made it possible to offer classes worldwide through a single Internet connection. Although it boasts several advantages over traditional education, online instruction still has its drawbacks, including limited communal synergies. Challenge to see if student performance was effected by instructional medium, sought to compare online and F2F teaching pure modality. Through these comparisons, we explore whether one teaching modality was significantly more effective than the other. Computer-assisted instruction is changing the pedagogical landscape as an increasing number of students are seeking online education. Contrary to popular belief, online education is not a new phenomenon. The first correspondence and distance learning educational programs were initiated. Since then, non-traditional study has grown into what it is today considered a more viable online instructional modality. Technological advancement indubitably helped improve the speed and accessibility of distance learning now students worldwide could attend classes from the comfort of their own homes. Online and traditional education share many qualities. Students are still required to attend class, learn the material, submit assignments, and complete group projects. While teachers, still have to design curriculums, maximize instructional quality, answer class questions, motivate students to learn, and grade assignments. Despite these basic similarities, there are many differences between the two modalities. Traditionally, classroom instruction is known to be teacher-centered and requires passive learning by the student, while online instruction is often student-centered and requires active learning. In teacher-centered, or passive learning, the instructor usually controls classroom dynamics. The teacher lectures and comments, while students listen, take notes, and ask questions. In student-centered, or active learning, the students usually determine classroom dynamics as they independently analyze the information. In this scenario, the teacher, not the student, is listening, formulating, and responding. In education, change comes with questions. Despite all current reports championing online education are still questioning its efficacy. Student experience, and student performance are now being carefully considered when determining whether online education is a viable substitute for classroom teaching. This decision process will most probably carry into the future as technology improves and as students demand better learning experiences.

The author

is Teacher

--oOo-

III at Sindalan High School, Division of City of San Fernando, (P)