In the self-blended model of learning (or self-blend model of learning), students take
online course
Educational technology (commonly abbreviated as edutech, or edtech) is the combined use of computer hardware, software, and educational theory and practice to facilitate learning. When referred to with its abbreviation, edtech, it often refer ...
s in addition to their traditional face-to-face
learning. This model of
blended learning
Blended learning, also known as technology-mediated instruction, web-enhanced instruction, or mixed-mode instruction, is an approach to education that combines online educational materials and opportunities for interaction online with physical pla ...
is commonly practiced among American
high school student
A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper secondar ...
s, and students follow this approach because it gives them the freedom to supplement what they have learned and what they have been taught in class.
The self-blended model of learning is generally approached by the students opting to take online courses outside of the time they spend on the traditional courses. It tackles the problem of the courses or subjects which are not provided by the school due to various reasons such as lack of funding, lack of student interest or lack of time. Students take online courses either in a
brick-and-mortar
Brick and mortar (also bricks and mortar or B&M) refers to a physical presence of an organization or business in a building or other structure. The term ''brick-and-mortar business'' is often used to refer to a company that possesses or leases ...
campus or offsite.
It is not necessary to have computers at home for the students who use the self-blended model of learning, as they can access the internet at their own school computer labs or they can head to local
libraries
A library is a collection of materials, books or media that are accessible for use and not just for display purposes. A library provides physical (hard copies) or digital access (soft copies) materials, and may be a physical location or a vir ...
to complete their work. They can also go to nearby
cyber lounges.
Use
The self-blend learning model is often used by high school students, as it requires students to monitor their learning process and take initiatives, which the younger students may have difficulty managing. Therefore, it differs in this way from the rotational model of learning which is quite often used in
elementary school
A primary school (in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and South Africa), junior school (in Australia), elementary school or grade school (in North America and the Philippines) is a school for primary ed ...
s, whereas many high school students are taking additional
math
Mathematics is an area of knowledge that includes the topics of numbers, formulas and related structures, shapes and the spaces in which they are contained, and quantities and their changes. These topics are represented in modern mathematics ...
, English and
social studies courses online in addition to their courses offered at school.
Advantages
There are a number of advantages to the self-blend model of learning:
#It is very helpful for
dropout students to recover, earn college/
AP credit or to recover credits.
#It not only enhances the classroom learning but it also provides access to the online course which are otherwise not offered in the school due to various reasons, such as lack of funds, time and resources.
#In addition to the access to the online courses, it also enhances the
digital literacy
Digital literacy refers to an individual's ability to find, evaluate, and communicate information through typing and other media on various digital platforms. It is evaluated by an individual's grammar, composition, typing skills and ability to pro ...
of the students, useful for students entering a 21st century workforce.
#Taking online courses is more affordable for the students.
#It provides opportunities to take up specialized courses, like college preparatory skill and
life skills
Life skills are abilities for adaptive and positive behavior that enable humans to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of life. This concept is also termed as psychosocial competency. The subject varies greatly depending on social norm ...
courses.
#It can be used for
professional development
Professional development is learning to earn or maintain professional credentials such as academic degrees to formal coursework, attending conferences, and informal learning opportunities situated in practice. It has been described as intensiv ...
as well as for instructional purposes.
Disadvantages
The main disadvantage of the self-blend model is that the students will not receive face to face instruction for that particular course.
It also involves a lack of formal structure for the undisciplined and unmotivated students.
See also
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21st century skills
*
Distance learning
Distance education, also known as distance learning, is the education of students who may not always be physically present at a school, or where the learner and the teacher are separated in both time and distance. Traditionally, this usually i ...
*
Pedagogy
Pedagogy (), most commonly understood as the approach to teaching, is the theory and practice of learning, and how this process influences, and is influenced by, the social, political and psychological development of learners. Pedagogy, taken ...
*
Personalized learning
Personalized learning, individualized instruction, personal learning environment and direct instruction all refer to efforts to tailor education to meet the different needs of students.
Overview
The use of the term "personalized learning" dates ba ...
*
Rotation model of learning The rotation model of learning involves the traditional face-to-face learning with online learning. In this, the time schedule is divided and fixed between these two processes or it runs on the teacher's discretion for a given course. The classroom ...
References
{{Reflist
Educational practices