“Blended Learning”

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a significant paradigm shift in the country's educational landscape. With an emphasis on holistic and flexible learning, the NEP 2020 recognizes the significance of technology-enabled education to bridge gaps, ensure access and enhance the quality of learning experiences. One of the key aspects emphasized in the policy is the adoption of blended learning methodologies. The relevance of blended learning aligns seamlessly with NEP 2020's vision for transforming education in India. Blended learning, which combines traditional classroom instruction with online elements, directly addresses the NEP's call for a multidisciplinary and skill-oriented approach. By integrating digital tools, blended learning can offer personalized learning pathways, promote critical thinking and encourage self-directed learning – all essential components of the NEP's learner-centric paradigm. NEP suggests harnessing the potential of blended mode for the training of Special Educators (Para 5.21), offering Teacher Education and Higher Education courses through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) (Para 5.23 and Para 10.10 respectively) and Adult Education (Para 21.10). Additionally, blended learning's potential to reach learners in remote and underserved areas, as well as its ability to accommodate diverse learning styles, resonates with the NEP's goal of inclusive and equitable education (Para 24.4). This innovative approach not only addresses the challenges posed by traditional rote-based education but also prepares students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and technology-driven world. Overall, the NEP 2020's forward-looking principles align with blended learning's capacity to modernize education, making it a relevant and promising strategy for the educational landscape in India.

Blended learning holds immense potential to revolutionize the way learning and teaching are done. By integrating the strengths of both in-person and digital learning, blended learning offers a flexible and personalized experience that caters to diverse learning styles and paces. This approach allows students to access content and resources at their convenience while engaging in interactive online discussions and activities that promote active learning. Moreover, educators can harness the power of technology to create engaging multimedia materials, track individual progress, and provide timely feedback. Blended learning also addresses the limitations of traditional classroom settings, enabling education to extend beyond physical boundaries and time constraints. As technology continues to advance, the potential of blended learning to enhance educational outcomes, foster critical thinking and prepare learners for the digital age remains a promising avenue in the evolution of education.

With reference to the above context, the Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET-NCERT) is organizing an online training series on ‘NEP 2020: Recommendations on ET & ICT’ every second week of the month from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday to orient the stakeholders on the recommendations of NEP 2020 in leveraging digital technology. As a part of series for the month of September 2023, CIET-NCERT is organizing five hours online training on “Blended Learning” from 11th - 15th September 2023 from 4.00 pm - 5.00 pm . The sessions will enhance the understanding of teachers, students, teacher educators, administrators and other stakeholders on the concept, need & scope and adjuvant areas of blended learning.

Objectives

On completion of this training, learners will be able to:

• explain the concept and benefits of blended learning.
• describe various models of blended learning with examples.
• explore strategies for designing engaging and effective blended learning experiences.
• explore various tools and resources that support blended learning.
• explore assessment strategies and feedback mechanisms in a blended learning environment.

Who Can Participate?

Students, Teachers, Teacher Educators, Parents, Administrators, General Public, etc.