a combination of live class meetings with online components that require students to dive deeper into concepts presented in the classroom.
Published in Chapter:
Innovative Approach to Meet the Needs of Working Professionals Through Blended Learning
Jeffrey L. Leffler (Mississippi State University, Meridian, USA), Eric G. Suddeath (Mississippi State University, Meridian, USA), Terry Dale Cruse (Mississippi State University, Meridian, USA), and Kimberly R. Hall (Mississippi State University, Meridian, USA)
Copyright: © 2020
|Pages: 24
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-1306-4.ch002
Abstract
Blended learning is an emerging approach to distance education that has gained increasing acceptance by faculty in higher education. This chapter presents an innovative approach to blended learning conceptualized as Blended Plus. This approach empowers students to choose how they prefer to interact with instruction within a course. Existing research in blended learning shows significant impact on student learning outcomes. Despite this, some faculty feel apprehensive about online learning modalities, perceiving it as a threat to their faculty role. Others find it appealing because they believe it protects their essential role as the facilitator of instruction. This chapter illustrates how a group of faculty members made students' needs a priority through their willingness to modify courses to provide working professionals greater accessibility to education. Benefits, challenges, and future directions of the new approach will be discussed.