Brain development is at its peak in the first 5years of developing age. This pandemic should not hamper the learning of the next generation citizens, so we need to encourage the home school learning activities as a must for all parents and teachers. Blended learning aims to develop the socio-emotional connect in the learners during these difficult times through play way and learning by doing activities. Schools are promoting activities with Parent & Child so that there are supervision and support, there are moments of learning and togetherness. Blended learning facilitates holistic development.
To understand it better, blended learning is an approach to education that combines online educational materials and opportunities for interaction online with traditional place-based classroom methods. It requires the physical presence of both teacher and student, with some elements of student control over time, place, path, or pace. Blended learning is not just for one group of learners, if adjusted to the target audience it can bring great value to children, higher education students or employees. The success of blended learning coalesces around access, success, and students’ perception of their learning environments.
Although blended learning preceded modern instructional technologies, its evolution will be inextricably bound to contemporary information communication technologies that are approximating some aspects of human thought processes. Blended learning is referred to as the new traditional model or the new normal. It leverages the utility of technology tools and strategies in the classroom while supporting personalized pathways for learning. It provides the learner information and opportunity which keeps them engaged and involved in their learning. It has become necessary for the learner and facilitator to adapt the blended approach if they wish to be ready for tomorrow.
Blended learning effectiveness may be dependent on many other factors and among them learner characteristics, design features and learning outcomes. The failure of the learner to continue their online education is due to low family support, poor connectivity issues, non-interaction between learner and facilitator or peer group motivation. Some learners are unable to cope with the assignment pressure without supervision. For better participation from learners and acceptance by leaner and facilitator, we need to embark on innovative pedagogy with technology in teaching and learning.
Mrs Richa Kumar: Mrs Richa Kumar is the Principal of Rahul International School, Boisar, Maharashtra. As a learner and an educator from past 20 plus years in training, teaching, curriculum designing, content development, administration, counselling, workshops for parents, students and teachers. She has set up and designed academic sessions for student development program and promoting inclusive education in schools. She has designed curriculum for multiple publication hoses and even has a Copyright for her design on ‘Perpetual Motor Skill Development Program for Preschool students.’ Mrs Kumar has many accolades with her name ranging from Education World to Edustar (THT Platform)
