Pitfalls of Blended Learning EU Project Comble

http://blr.comble-project.eu

Christian Niemczik and Dr. Elke Brenstein

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The University of Applied Sciences Wildau Established in 1991 and attracts over 3400 students The biggest amount of third-party funds acquired in Germany.

University of Tartu Biggest university in Estonia; 18.000 students A lot of projects within e-learning and blended learning.

Aalborg University Well know for project based learning; 14.000 students A front-runner within the area of ICT technology.

Maria Curie Sklodowska University, Lublin 33.000 students High usage of e-learning

The University of Applied Sciences Wildau Established in 1991 and attracts over 3400 students The biggest amount of third-party funds acquired in Germany.

University of Tartu Biggest university in Estonia; 18.000 students A lot of projects within e-learning and blended learning.

Aalborg University Well know for project based learning; 14.000 students A front-runner within the area of ICT technology.

Maria Curie Sklodowska University, Lublin 33.000 students High usage of e-learning

Partners

3Pitfalls of Blended Learning

Decision Makers

TrainersEducators

LearnersStudents

BL Readiness

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Learning institutions starting with BL

BLR Wiki: Challenges & Solutions

Coaching

Organisational, technical, methodical and

psychological aspects

The Blended Learning Promise

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• Better learning results30%; Thomson Job Impact Study

• Cost-effectiveness reducing the amount of time needed for face-to-face instruction; Alvarez

• Effective approach to deliver high-quality, up-to-date, on-demand learning solutions; Thorne

But ...

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The trainers tend to stay in their way of teaching.Universities don't pay the professors for content production or for online tutoring.Who will produce the content in further education institutions - copyright and freelancers? Updates?What about data privacy protection in companies?How to measure the ROI?

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Collect problemsCollect solutionsBring both together

Management

Trainer

Administration

Professor

Management

Instructor

BusinessEducation

University Education

FurtherEducation

8Pitfalls of Blended Learning

Problems, Pitfalls & Solutions (?)some examples

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Pitfalls and Solutions(?)

Trainer resist to changesTraditional background, no acceptance management

What to do?

Support trainers.

Start with early adopters.

Talk to them. What do they think?

Cosider: change takes time!

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Pitfalls and Solutions(?)

Lack of institutional supportNo overall BL strategy and coordination

Professors have no benefit

What to do?

Make sure instructors are credited for their efforts.

Ensure that learners have time set aside for learning.

Difficult: universities

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Pitfalls and Solutions(?)

Content productionUnclear intellectual property rights

What to do?

Make clear what happens with the produced content!

Trainer workshops (5 trainers – one topic)

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Pitfalls and Solutions(?)

Content production in further/vocational e.

It takes time and costs money.Employees, Freelancers, Apprentices

What to do?

Content production workshops. Easy tools for content authoring.

Freelancers can use their produced content elsewhere.

Apprentices produce the content – employees or freelancers will

update it.

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Pitfalls and Solutions(?)

Data protection in companiesLaws and fear

What to do?

Local installations

Very difficult!!

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Pitfalls and Solutions(?)

Trainer competencies (ICT and methods)

BL = E-learning + traditional face-to-face classes

What to do?

Regular workshops

Class learning should be active and collaborative to prepare for

online learning sessions

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Pitfalls and Solutions(?)

Decision Makers don’t see the benefit

Want proof of improved ROI

What to do?

Explain what non-tangible benefits BL can provide: like the

quality of learning; long term objectives: better

learning competencies

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Pitfalls and Solutions(?)

No time for online learning Online activities and collaboration are not given enough attention due to busy work schedules

What to do?

Separate learning rooms

Feedback

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Pitfalls and Solutions(?)

Learners lack basic skillsLack of experience with online learning

toolsand methods

What to do?

ICT in F2F – integrated

Foster self and group learning in F2F

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What about an interview?

Support with an analysis of the Status QuoRecommendations for Improvement

Learning about Best Practice Examples

http://blr.comble-project.eu

christian.niemczik@comble-project.eu

20Pitfalls of Blended Learning