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Blended Learning
in the Liberal Arts

A Forum for Blended Learning Pioneers at Liberal Arts Colleges

 

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Why blended learning?

In recent experimental and quasi-experimental studies contrasting blends of online and face-to-face instruction with conventional face-to-face classes, blended instruction has been more effective, providing a rationale for the effort required to design and implement blended approaches. When used by itself, online learning appears to be as effective as conventional classroom instruction, but not more so.

However, several caveats are in order: Despite what appears to be strong support for blended learning applications, the studies in this meta-analysis do not demonstrate that online learning is superior as a medium. In many of the studies showing an advantage for blended learning, the online and classroom conditions differed in terms of time spent, curriculum and pedagogy. It was the combination of elements in the treatment conditions (which was likely to have included additional learning time and materials as well as additional opportunities for collaboration) that produced the observed learning advantages. At the same time, one should note that online learning is much more conducive to the expansion of learning time than is face-to-face instruction. [emphasis original]

The analytics tied to some programs allowed me to better hone in on areas students struggled with (or were interested in), and that allowed me to more efficiently and effectively target classroom activities, discussion, and presentation..

faculty participant, 2011-2013 NGLC Blended Learning in a Liberal Arts Setting study

What's New:

Bryn Mawr College's TIDES Project (Teaching to Increase Diversity and Equity in STEM initiative) is featured in the new issue of AAC&U, Diversity & Democracy on Gender Equity in Higher...

The wait is over! Visit Bryn Mawr College's repository to view recordings of presentations and slides from presenters....

The fourth annual Blended Learning in the Liberal Arts Conference, hosted at Bryn Mawr College from May 20 to May 21, included a keynote address, panel discussions and various workshops.

It...