Perceptions Of Blended Learning Research Articles

Experiences of a project-based blended learning approach in a community of inquiry from information and communication technology engineering students at Lapland university of applied sciences in Finland

The increase in remote work in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry has introduced the need for research into team collaboration platforms and education using a project-based blended learning approach. This study investigates the perceptions of ICT engineering students ( N = 56) at Lapland University of Applied Sciences in Finland regarding the social, cognitive, and teaching presences in a blended setting using the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework. The CoI questionnaire data were analyzed using the Rasch Rating Scale Model, and team collaboration and development platform logs were used to explore platform usage. The results suggest that the students’ overall perception of blended learning was highly positive. Questions associated with discussing through the online medium were relatively harder for the students to agree with, although the online medium was perceived as excellent for social interaction by the students. The results may help institutions develop an understanding of the factors that may improve the quality of blended learning experiences in project-based digital ecosystems.

Language-majored students' perception of Blended learning at a university in Vietnam

Blended Learning (BL) has gained its prevalence in EFL teaching and learning context in Vietnamese higher education. This study aims to investigate language-majored students' perceptions of implementing Blended Learning in English classrooms at a Vietnamese public university. One hundred fifty-three freshmen majoring in Chinese, Korean and Japanese languages and currently learning English as a compulsory subject participated in this multi-method study. Data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with six randomly selected students, then transcribed and analyzed thematically. Findings indicate that participants mostly perceive that BL enhances digital literacy and motivation and supports in-class learning. However, some challenges faced by these respondents included technical difficulties and the lack of self-regulation skills. The findings are of great value in giving educators and students a profound understanding of BL in EFL classrooms. Based on the findings and discussion, the study gave some recommendations for EFL teachers and institutions to facilitate students' BL experience greatly.

Language Teachers’ Perception and Practice of Adopting Blended Learning to Adapt to the New Normal

The practice of blending online learning and face-to-face learning has become ubiquitous across many tertiary institutions both worldwide and nationwide, especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic. This paper is based on the part of a study investigating how language teachers perceive blended learning and how they adopt this model in their teaching practice to adapt to the new normal. The participants include 50 teachers who are teaching languages such as English, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean at Hue University, located in central Vietnam. The data was collected through a survey and then supported by follow-up interviews with 10 of the surveyees. The findings reveal teachers' perceptions of blended learning in terms of its necessity, feasibility, usefulness, and ease of use, as well as their confidence and intention of continuation. In addition, the study also reflects the reality of how blended learning is currently applied by these language teachers regarding such factors as how the online component supports the face-to-face component, how online and face-to-face classroom activities are blended, when online and face-to-face elements are arranged, etc. There is also a comparison of these teachers’ responses based on their teaching expertise to see whether they perceive and use blended learning differently.

Tourism students' perception of blended learning and their engagement and satisfaction with the course

I explored the relationship between students' perception of blended learning and their engagement and satisfaction with the course. I used structural equation modeling to analyze the survey responses of 270 tourism management students from two universities in China. The findings indicated that emotional engagement and perceived usefulness influenced students' satisfaction with blended learning. Perceived usefulness had a stronger direct influence on cognitive engagement in student blended learning than did perceived interaction, whereas neither perceived playfulness nor ease of use had a significant influence on cognitive engagement. Emotional engagement significantly affected course satisfaction but cognitive engagement had a nonsignificant influence on course satisfaction. Finally, perceived usefulness affected satisfaction indirectly through emotional engagement. The implications of the findings for teaching practice are discussed and limitations and future research directions are suggested.

Perbandingan Persepsi Mahasiswa Pendidikan Matematika Terhadap Pembelajaran Daring, Luring dan Blended Learning Pasca Pandemi Covid-19

This study aims to compare student perceptions of online, offline, and blended learning involving 28 students from the 2018 batch of Mathematics Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Sembilanbelas November Kolaka University as research subjects. The data were collected by non-test using a questionnaire instrument of student perceptions including online, offline, and blended learning as many as 23 statement items followed by interviews related to student perceptions. The results of this study indicate that the mean student perception of learning is positive with the following details: (1) the mean percentage of student perceptions of online learning is 77.92%; (2) the mean percentage of students' perceptions of offline learning (face-to-face) is 82.86%; and (3) the mean percentage of students' perceptions of blended learning is 73.98%.

Undergraduate Education Students' Perceptions and Challenges of Learning Calculus Through Blended Learning

Blended learning has recently gained popularity in training and education. It was a combination of two learning styles, which are face-to-face teaching and some of the technological aids that have been widely used in teaching and learning. This study is meant to be an addition to the in-class lectures and to assist students in understanding calculus subjects at their own pace and time. The purpose of this study is to describe students' perceptions of blended learning and to determine whether blended learning affects their readiness and challenges in learning calculus. A total of 86 Mathematics Education students were involved in this study, in which a series of questionnaires were distributed to evaluate their readiness and learning perceptions. Based on the findings, a conclusion has been made regarding the role of blended learning in supporting teaching and learning. The results showed that students demonstrate positive perceptions using the blended learning approach in some of the subjects.

EFFECTIVE BLENDED LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION DURING COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic situation has impacted the entire education system, especially universities, and brought a new phase in education, “blended learning.” The objective of the research was to study the relationship of eight independent factors: e-learning environment, e-learning facilitation, e-learning materials, e-learning technical support, instructors’ personal attention, interaction with instructors, interaction with peer students, and laboratory learning environment, in the provision of effective blended learning in higher education during COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, an extended relationship of gender and level of course with the effective blended learning was studied. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with the students of higher education institutions in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a self-administered questionnaire aimed to learn the students’ perception of blended learning. All levels of undergraduate and postgraduate students took part in the study with a sample size of 1229. Ultimately, this study used a Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach to find the positive relationship between the effective blended learning and the eight independent variables and two mediating variables in the higher education sector. The study results portrayed a positive relationship between the eight independent variables and blended learning effectiveness in higher education institutions. The findings revealed that there is a difference in the students' perception of gender, level of the course, and the effectiveness of blended learning in the HEIs. The research offers guidance to governing bodies, administrators, and teachers of HEIs in decision-making and improves their actions to provide the best teaching and learning through blended learning. HEIs need to focus on the study results to enhance blended learning effectiveness based on e-learning environment, e-learning facilitation, e-learning materials, e-learning technical support, instructors’ personal attention, interaction with instructors, interaction with peer students, and laboratory learning environment. Also, since there is a significant difference between the gender, level of the course, and blended learning, providing blended learning based on gender and level of the course needs to be concentrated on by the higher education institutions.

The Future of Design Studio Education: Student Experience and Perception of Blended Learning and Teaching during the Global Pandemic

Urban design studio education aims to prepare future urban designers to more effectively understand how cities work and critically engage with the role of design intervention in the built environment. A design studio is an appropriate setting where this can take place. This paper details the design and delivery of a postgraduate urban design studio subject in the MA Urban Design programme at Cardiff University during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. We particularly investigate the capacities and challenges of blended learning and teaching, with a primary focus on the experience and perception of students in the context of design studio pedagogy. To this end, we discuss the findings from an online survey of postgraduate urban design students and reflect on their experience and perception of the related learning and teaching activities, assessment, feedback, field study visits, workshops, and digital platforms during the subject delivery period in the 2021–2022 academic year. The outcomes of this paper can inform future practices of blended learning and teaching incorporating a mix of face-to-face and online modes of delivery in relation to design studio education, particularly in the context of unprecedented global health challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Blended Learning in ESL: Perceptions about paradigm shift in English Language Institutions of Punjab, Pakistan

Tremendous technological developments have revolutionized educational practices and experiences of English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers and learners at an unprecedented rate. One such educational development is termed as Blended Learning (BL). BL is the method of teaching and learning in which traditional place-based mode of instruction is combined with online teaching and learning. The online mode or environment of BL is not just asynchronous web-enhanced method of delivery of contents rather it also involves synchronous interactions between the teachers and learners via audio and/or video conferencing and cloud-based online meeting apps. Instruction, learning materials and assessment is accessible for learners in traditional face-to-face as well as in online environments. Present study aims to explore ESL learners’ perceptions of BL. Questionnaires were used to gather data to examine 282 ESL learners’ attitudes toward BL. These ESL learners were enrolled in ESL courses in different public and private institutes of Punjab, Pakistan. The descriptive analysis of the data revealed that most of the students have positive attitude towards BL and they found it helpful in English language learning. Based on the results descriptively drawn from the responses of the subjects of the current study, conclusions are drawn, and recommendations have been offered.

Engineering students' perceptions of blended learning during COVID-19 pandemic: context of a developing country

Engineering students' perceptions of blended learning during COVID-19 pandemic: context of a developing country

Engineering students' perceptions of blended learning during COVID-19 pandemic: context of a developing country

Blended learning (BL) is a commonly recognised approach that blends the advantages of face-to-face and online learning components. However, over the years, concerns have been raised about whether this strategy of mixing online and face-to-face teaching components benefits students' learning. This study aims to understand this issue by examining students' perspectives of blended learning in university settings. 266 students from a technology-focused engineering university in Bangladesh participated in this study. A mixed-method research approach was adopted to explore students' perceptions of BL as a teaching-learning platform, which includes the development of a structured questionnaire with an open-ended question. An electronic survey was conducted that includes three subsections: (a) usefulness of BL environment, (b) engagement in BL environment, and (c) independent leaning in BL environment. Using descriptive frequencies and ANOVA to analyse the 5-point Likert scale survey data and thematic analysis for the open-ended question, this study evidenced that engineering students perceive BL positively. This study provides valuable insight for academic administrators and policymakers on maximising the benefits of the BL approach in university teaching and learning through technology, collaboration, and personalised learning. Some recommendations for future research are also proposed.

Master Students’ Perceptions of Blended Learning in the Process of Studying English during COVID 19 Pandemic in Ukraine

The academic year 2020/2021 in higher education institutions in Ukraine began under the conditions of deteriorating epidemiological situation caused by the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. Students’ training was recommended to be carried out in the form of distance learning or blended learning. This research aims to analyse Master students’ perceptions of blended learning in the process of studying English in higher education institutions. The study presents the integrated course “Foreign Language for Specific Purposes (English)” developed for Master students of Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University. The experiment involves 84 respondents. The empirical basis of the study is the results obtained during three-months’ work with master students. Theoretical, empirical and statistical methods are used to conduct the study. The study investigates benefits and challenges of blended learning in studying English by Master students. The results of the questionnaire indicate the quality of teaching the course “Foreign Language for Specific Purposes (English)” as moderately positive and point out blended learning as an essential streamlined approach for creating effective learning experiences. The obtained results confirm the favourable Master students’ perceptions of blended learning in studying English during Covid-19 pandemic. Based on the findings of the study, which indicate benefits and challenges of blended learning in studying English, the authors give recommendations to improve the course “Foreign Language for Specific Purposes (English)”.

Blended Learning for Diverse Classrooms: Qualitative Experimental Study With In-Service Teachers

The concept of blended learning, a combination of online and face-to-face learning, has become popular in educational settings. Using qualitative methods, this study investigates the role of blended learning and in-service teachers’ perceptions. Blended learning was used for 19 in-service teachers during their summer degree program at a Chinese university. After the course, teachers were asked to write their reflections on blended learning, its role in diverse classrooms, and using it in their teaching career. The results showed that the teachers appreciated the use of blended learning for diversity, but they were against adopting it in their teaching due to limited pedagogical skills and the exam-oriented education system in China. Moreover, some teachers believed that traditional teaching is more effective for providing students with the necessary knowledge, while blended learning was viewed as difficult to manage. The study provides a better understanding of teachers’ perception of blended learning which contributes to global educational development.

EFL Learners' Perceptions on Schoology Use in the Reading Class

Online learning that is integrated into face-to-face learning called blended learning is believed to be more useful than online learning or face-to-face learning. Schoology is one of the online learning platforms exploited in blended learning that can help teachers to manage classroom information. Schoology allows students and teachers to share information and provides access to content or administrative features of specific courses. This study aims to investigate students' perceptions of blended learning via Schoology in reading class. This is a descriptive study, the participants of this study consisted of 28- second-semester students at the English Language Study Program, Faculty of Tarbiyah, and teacher training IAIN Jember, East Java Indonesia. The Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. The findings of this study revealed that there were positive perceptions of blended learning via Schoology in the reading comprehension class as well as the positive learners’ attitude. Furthermore, the students agreed that Schoology in blended learning in the reading comprehension class is useful, helpful, and effective. Moreover, from the results of the interviews, there were positive aspects of blended learning via Schoology in reading comprehension which gave more benefits to engage and motivate students’ learning activities, students’ performances, learners’ autonomy, as well as students’ learning outcomes.

EFL students’ perceptions of blended learning in English language course: learning experience and engagement

The importance of blended learning has been emphasised during the current restriction caused by the coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19). But there is a scarcity of studies on students’ learning experience in blended learning, particularly using WhatsApp as one of the learning tools. A combination of classroom meetings and online learning is implemented in a vocational university in Indonesia. The research reported in this article aims to examine students’ perceptions of their learning experience in a blended method of learning incorporating social media WhatsApp and Google Classroom application as learning instruments. The dataset includes a questionnaire consisting of a four-point Likert scale and open-ended questions, a recording of WhatsApp chat history, and students' work in Google Classroom. Data analysis uses a multi-methods approach. Descriptive analysis is used for the closed-ended questions using the Excel program and content analysis for the open-ended questions. Results show that students positively perceive their learning experience in blended learning. Students also articulate their concerns of the internet connection and instruction clarity on the online learning materials. This paper highlights some implications of the research findings including the lecturer's need for professional development that may enable them to help students succeed in blended learning.

Learners’ perceptions of blended learning in technical English classes at the National Institute of Technology

Learners’ perceptions of blended learning in technical English classes at the National Institute of Technology

Gender-Wise Perception of Students Towards Blended Learning in Higher Education: Pakistan

Blended learning (BL) is a recent tread among many options that can best fit learners' needs, regardless of time and place. This study aimed to discover students' perceptions of BL and the challenges faced by them while using technology. This quantitative study used data gathered from 300 students enrolled in four public universities in the Sindh province of Pakistan. the finding shows that students were compatible with the use of technology, and it has a positive effect on their academic experience. The study also showed that the use of technology encourages peer collaboration. The challenges found include: neither teacher support nor a training program was provided to the students for the course which needed to shift from a traditional face to face paradigm to a blended format, a lake of space lies with skills in a laboratory assistants for the courses with a blended format and as shortage of high tech computer laboratories / computer units to run these courses. Therefore, it is recommended that the authorities must develop and incorporate a comprehensive mechanism for the effective implementation of BL in the learning teaching-learning process heads of the departments should also provide additional computing infrastructure to their departments.

Teaching English as a Second Language in Vietnam: Transitioning from the Traditional Learning Approach to the Blended Learning Approach

Although blended learning (BL) has been utilized in English language teaching globally for the past few decades, it is a new phenomenon in the Vietnamese context. Little research has been done to simultaneously investigate how students and lecturers perceive blended learning implementation for English as a foreign language (EFL) teaching and learning in Vietnam, particularly within the higher education context. This study thus aims to investigate lecturers’ and students’ perspectives on BL implementation in an English Fundamentals course at a polytechnic in Hanoi, Vietnam. Data was collected via an online survey of 1500 non-English majors in the Fall 2019 semester and via interviews with 5 full-time EFL lecturers. The findings revealed that lecturers and students had positive perceptions of BL. For lecturers, the implementation of BL impacted their teaching approach and shifted the teaching of grammar and vocabulary from face-to-face to self-studying grammar and vocabulary using online lessons, devoting more in-class time to practicing speaking. Students meanwhile revealed that BL helped them develop self-autonomy of learning.

Music teachers’ understanding of blended learning in Korean elementary music classes

ABSTRACT As information and communication technologies (ICT) have been rapidly developed, the computers and internet are widely used in many fields. The purpose of this study was to examine music teachers’ experiences and perceptions of blended learning in elementary music classes. Using a multiple case study method, I observed four elementary music teachers in different schools located in Seoul, South Korea. The following research questions were addressed: (1) How do the elementary music teachers utilise blended learning in their music classes? (2) What are the challenges the music teachers face in implementing blended learning into their classes? and (3) What are the music teachers’ perceptions of blended learning that could be beneficial to their students and to their teaching? The results showed that the music teachers employed the station-rotation model of blended learning. This study also revealed that the teachers acknowledged educational effects of blended learning. Nevertheless, they shared concerns about motivational factors and teacher education for blended learning. It is suggested that continuing professional development is needed to increase the use of blended learning in Korean elementary music classes.

APPLYING PROJECT-BASED LEARNING PRINCIPLES ON BLENDED LEARNING CLASSROOM: STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION

In recent years, there has been a push towards innovative methodologies of English language teaching including blended learning approach and project-based learning (PBL). However, there is a lack of both training of teachers and research on blended learning in Central Asian higher education institutions. This case study takes place in the department of Engineering with first and second-year students attending English for professional purposes at the University of Suleyman Demirel. “Schoology” was chosen as a platform for blended-learning (learning management system (LMS) and “WebEx” for online learning platforms. The aim of the study is to explore students’ perceptions of blended learning and understand its effectiveness in employing project-based learning. Aspects of PBL were implemented as a methodological tool including challenging problems, sustained inquiry, authenticity, student voice and choice, reflection, critique and revision, and public product. The study is action research which includes a survey consisting of both Likert scale and open-ended questions; informal observation of students during face-to-face classes and group work activities and content analysis of students’ reflections and self-reports were used to triangulate data.