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Addressing Student Motivation and Learning Styles with different blends of technology - November 2004

Dramatic increase in online learning in higher education all across the world, including "blended" learning (roughly 2/3 of online classes are blended in US vs fully online).  Seems to more support in public learning institutions.  What is blended learning?  Is it just face to face vs. online?  Or are we overusing this term as almost all classes now blend some form of technology?  Some see it as a combination of modalities / media in instruction, tasks and delivery.  Sloan Definitions: Traditional 0% online; Web Facilitated 1-29% online; Blended/Hybrid 30-79% online; Online: 80% of content is online.
Advantages: Access, flexibility, convenience, increased learning, cost effective, effective pedagogy
Disadvantages: Time, procrastination, resistance, overwhelming, trying too much

Examples: Assessments/reviews online; follow up in communities of practice; reference material; office hours online; mentoring and coaching tool; access experts live online

1. Online Course Portals and Digital Libraries (peer rated): MERLOT, Einstein Digital Manuscript Repository
2. Supplement Learning with Web Page: Student produced content to spur debate
3. Discussion Forums, Surveys, Links, Presentations: Gives a tool for a "vote" and say
   
4. Links to other papers, media
5. Guest Expert Chat
6. Professional Development: SRLC
7. English Classes Online
8. Web for Live Mentoring
9. Online Practice
10. Exam Review
11. Preclass Exam Practice
12. Just-in-Time Teaching
13. Case Base Instruction: Boardroom Chat
14. Interactive Simulations
    

Kolb's Learning Styles -> R2D2 Model Read, Reflect, Display, Do

Auditory learners: Videostreamed Lectures
Reflective and Observational Learners:  Blogs, live conf. feeds, portfolios
Visual Learners: Pictures, film, demonstrations
Authentic Data: Interactive news and exploration SimuLearn

Need to decide what is best for your learners.