261.764: Foundations of E-learning

I have to do something here...  just not quite sure what???  Coming back to this I feel...

Module One: The Big Picture

After completing this module, I should be able to

• Demonstrate an understanding of the term e-learning and what it encompasses
• Demonstrate an understanding of other related concepts such as distance education/learning, blended learning and open learning
• Demonstrate a growing awareness of the recurring and ongoing debates on technology use in educational contexts

With reference to the recommended readings, define and identify three characteristics of one mode of teaching with digital technologies (e.g. blended, online, distance, authentic, flexible) that make it distinctive compared with face-to-face teaching? Why is this important?

Define Blended Learning:

Through research, it is difficult to define blended learning into a simplistic definition. Picciano (2009) and Driscoll (2002), states that blended learning means different things to different people. Kumi-Yeboah (2014), describes blended learning as a type of online learning environment that includes multifaceted learning tools to support learning. This idea is agreed to by Bates (2015) who defines it as technology enhanced learning. Picciano (2009) states that blended learning occurs when the traditional idea of teaching and learning are integrated with digital technologies in ways where activities are planned in a pedagogically valuable manner. Powell et al. (2015) adds to this by including the potential to offer personalised instruction to a given group of learners. Furthermore, Driscoll (2002), adds to this by providing many definitions depending on the context in which blended learning occurs, includes the tools and applications used, as well as the pedagogical approaches used.

Because researchers are unable to agree blended learning is it is also be referred to as hybrid or flexible learning (Bates, 2015; Kumi-Yeboah, 2014; Picciano, 2009). However, despite little agreement on the definition, Kumi-Yeboah's  (2014) is the simplest as shes describes the main purpose of blended learning is to “pair the best features of face-to-face teaching with the best options of online learning to promote active and independent learning” (Kumi-Yeboah, 2014, p. 28).