Pitfalls of Blended Learning EU Project Comble
http://blr.comble-project.eu
Christian Niemczik and Dr. Elke Brenstein
Pitfalls of Blended Learning 2
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
Pitfalls of Blended Learning 4
Learning institutions starting with BL
BLR Wiki: Challenges & Solutions
Coaching
Organisational, technical, methodical and
psychological aspects
The Blended Learning Promise
Pitfalls of Blended Learning 5
• 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 ...
Pitfalls of Blended Learning 6
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?
7Pitfalls of Blended Learning
Collect problemsCollect solutionsBring both together
Management
Trainer
Administration
Professor
Management
Instructor
BusinessEducation
University Education
FurtherEducation
8Pitfalls of Blended Learning
Problems, Pitfalls & Solutions (?)some examples
Pitfalls of Blended Learning 9
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!
Pitfalls of Blended Learning 10
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
Pitfalls of Blended Learning 11
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)
Pitfalls of Blended Learning 12
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.
Pitfalls of Blended Learning 13
Pitfalls and Solutions(?)
Data protection in companiesLaws and fear
What to do?
Local installations
Very difficult!!
Pitfalls of Blended Learning 14
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
Pitfalls of Blended Learning 15
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
Pitfalls of Blended Learning 16
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
Pitfalls of Blended Learning 17
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
Pitfalls of Blended Learning 18
19Pitfalls of Blended Learning
What about an interview?
Support with an analysis of the Status QuoRecommendations for Improvement
Learning about Best Practice Examples
http://blr.comble-project.eu
20Pitfalls of Blended Learning