The goal of this focus session was to revisit the potential of blended learning instructional models, student learning outcomes, and successful implementation practices. The maturing of online learning practices and engagements has opened new possibilities for curriculum design, including both face-to-face and online learning opportunities. The ability to design a course that uniquely blends face-to-face and distributed interaction allows institutions to address learners’ specific needs and customize the learning environment rather than rely on a “one size fits all” approach. But these options lead to a variety of questions:
- What’s the right mix of face-to-face and online?
- How do you decide when to employ an online activity or interaction?
- How can you best map the mix of blended elements to student needs and requirements?
- How can these elements be orchestrated to meet a course’s learning objectives?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of various online techniques and methods?