Blended Learning and Xerte

What is it?

Quite simply, blended learning (BL) is an integration of face-to-face teaching with components of technology use, which can be used to unite and support each other. There is some contention in the literature as to percentages/weightings, but the teacher predominantly designs some online activities/tasks which are linked to face-to-face, real-time classroom interaction.

Why?

• Tool for increased motivation and engagement - it's different to face-to-face, and offers students an alternative to the traditional classroom setting.
• Students can work at their own pace, and go over difficult concepts to increase understanding.
• Practicality aspect - exposure to authentic, real-life experience.
• Time saving tool for both the teacher and student.
• Students who miss face-to-face class can catch up online.
• Learning objectives might be obtained quicker with supplementary online exercises.
• Pedagogical richness of material and better access to knowledge.
• Appeals to a host of different personalities - shy students and lower level learners would especially like this approach as they might have more of a 'voice.'
• Role of personal agency heightened - element of control and choice over how students navigate their learning, which could increase autonomy levels.
• It serves as an extra teacher outside the classroom - further reading, reinforcement etc.
• Flipped classrooms are becoming more and more prevalent and popular - getting students to do some pre-reading before class will save time in class, and they'll be ready to contribute as soon as they arrive. Getting students to get into the habit of this is the tricky part, but it will undoubtedly aid learning in the long run.

Why not?

• Expensive to start and implement a BL course (£50k approx in the initial stages)
• Lots of planning and preparation involved
• High pressure - more so than purely face to face teaching as there's an aesthetic element involved, and clients are paying for quality with no hiccups - it's a high stakes business
• Crucially, the teacher isn't there to physically monitor online (inevitable constraints) therefore you're putting a lot of faith in the students/facilitator
• Reliance on the clients having good technology to make full use of the online aspect

Xerte

Linked with the University of Nottingham, the Xerte project is an enterprise that is aimed at offering top quality, free software to educators the world over. In terms of creating a blended learning course, this seems to be the go-to tool. About Xerte:

• The software is free, but there's a charge of £500 for the institution to host it every year.
• There's a desktop version but it's tricky to use.
• Predominately Ipad and Mobile phone friendly.
• Lots of options when creating - ranging from gap fills to video use.
• Limited interface - you can change the colour but the fonts are fairly standard, so it's not overly aesthetic.
• When you're setting up the course there are step-by-step instructions regarding content and editing, which is very handy!

Articulate Storyline 2 is a more advanced and superior platform to create a BL course, but it costs considerably more money (£1000 for one licence) so obviously justifications have to be made.

My Context

I'm currently involved with a BL franchise called EtonX where the course consists of face-to-face teaching in China, E-Learning, and online tutorials which is where I come in. My students have nothing but praise for this BL approach of learning, and as a Teacher I can honestly say it's an incredibly powerful concept that will only continue to grow and become more prominent within education.