Blended learning for part time students

1. Blended learning for part time students Widening Participation in practice 21/10/05 Chris Procter, University of Salford

2. Contents • Context • Blended learning • ESF project • Results • Problems

3. Context • Increase in HE numbers • Part time student population • Problem with attendance • Day release tradition

4. Blended learning • Blend cannot just be a mixture .. • To blend is to “form a harmonious combination” (OED) “mix together ..elements .. to improve quality” (CED) • “Blended learning is the effective combination of different modes of delivery, models of teaching and styles of learning” (Procter 2003)

5. Thoughts on theory • “The term ‘blended learning’ is ill-defined and inconsistently used. Whilst its popularity is increasing, its clarity is not.” Oliver & Trigwell (2005) • Blend from perspective of institution or learner? • Relevance of literature on Conversational framework (Laurillard), e-moderating (Salmon) and Communities of Practice (Wenger) together with work on modes of learning (eg Vygotsky, Pask) and learning styles

6. ESF Project: Flexible IT for workers • Skills and qualifications in IT (BSc & FdSc in IT) • Mainly aimed at SME employees and unemployed – 90 beneficiaries • 3 tranches of funding 2003-6 • Use of APEL and WBL • Use of GTAs • Dissemination

7. Model + possible future development

8. Elements of blend • Use of Web based learning/ online support • Online administration (gradually) • Face to face dialogue/ practicals • Use of teaching assistants • Flexible entry/ exit

9. Student/staff feedback • Interviews/focus groups/discussion boards – new level of scrutiny (it needn’t be perfect) • The importance of communication • Skills of the staff • Commitment of the students • VLE as repository • Developing a social network

10. It needn’t be perfect • "I've got two pieces of bad news about the experimental English composition course where students used computer conferencing. The first bad news is that, over the course of the semester, the experimental group showed no progress in their ability to compose an essay. The second piece of bad news is that the control group, taught by traditional methods, showed no progress either.“ Ehrmann (1995)

11. References • Cullen, J., K. Hadjivassiliou, et al. (2002). Review of current pedagogic research and practice in the fields of post-compulsory education and lifelong learning, The Tavistock Institute. • Ehrmann S. (1995) in http://www.learner.org/edtech/rscheval/rightquestion.html • Graham, C. R. (2005). Blended Learning Systems: Definition, current trends, and future directions. Handbook of blended learning: Global Perspectives, local designs. C. J. Bonk and C. R. Graham. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer Publishing. • Oliver, M. and K. Trigwell (2005). "Can "Blended Learning" Be Redeemed?" E-learning2(1): 17-26. http://www.e-learningcentre.co.uk/eclipse/Resources/blended.htm • Procter, C. (2003). Blended Learning in Practice. Inaugural Education in a Changing Environment conference, Salford, University of Salford via www.edu.salford.ac.uk/her