Blended learning, or why the traditional language learning system is no longer working

What is blended learning

The term blended learning originated in the corporate environment, about 30 years ago. Back in the 1980s, Boeing increased the qualifications of employees on the job by listening to CDs and watching movies. The idea was picked up a business school students who - are busy people and can not sit for hours in the classroom.

It seemed that the technology will strangle the traditional model of education. Why waste time on the road to school, if you can listen to the lecture online? Why sit in a library, if any information can be two clicks to find on the Web? Why speak at the seminar, if everything can be discussed in the chat?

But this did not happen. Neither teachers nor students are not willing to give up live communication. No matter how convenient e-learning, it does not provide the level of development of speech and socio-cultural skills, which gives full-time education.

That is why the West is actively growing, and we just emerging blended learning - blended learning.

Blended learning - an educational concept that combines traditional learning with distance and online methods.

In English the blend means "mixed," and the verb perfectly conveys the essence of this model. The student learns how to internally communicating live with their peers and teachers, and independently, using modern information technology.

This is not the usual classroom training: the material masters student house with gadgets in their hands at their own pace. It is not distance learning, where the student almost does not get help from the teacher and appear in school only for exams. And it does not study one on one with the computer: you need to be part of the group and develop along with it.

The term blended learning has been actively used after the release in 2005 of the book The Handbook of Blended Learning: Global Perspectives, Local Designs Curtis Bonk (Curtis Bonk) and Charles Graham (Charles Graham). Although in the literature there are other names with slightly shifted accents (hybrid learning - hybrid learning, Combined Studies - mixed-model instruction, integrated, or Web-enhanced, Training - web-enhanced instruction), the essence of one.

Blended learning - a mix of traditional and e-learning, which absorbed the best of both forms.

Blended learning model

The most actively developing blended learning in the United States. If in 2000 the blended learning technology was only available for 45 thousand American students, in 2009, their number has reached three million. By 2019, the United States is planned to be carried out in a mixed mode, 50% of all school lessons.

There are six models of integration of blended learning.

In its pure form, these models are rarely used. Usually they are combined. For example, Face-to-Face with Flex: in addition to attending classes, students are engaged in their own online and strange moments later discuss with the teacher.

Advantages of Blended Learning

The Evaluation Consortium "Sloan» (The Sloan Consortium), more than 60% of American college students believe that blended learning is more effective than usual. In this easy to believe, looking at the pros blended learning.

1. The flexibility of the educational process. In it can be employed any number of teachers and students. Teachers can give master classes, even if they are on another continent, and refer to the e-learning materials at any time and from any location.
2. Open Learning. Passing examinations computer, it is difficult to write off or face the prejudice. Also communication technologies allow students and teachers to constantly provide feedback, and therefore understand each other better.
3. Individual approach. Teachers can vary the pace and scope of development of educational material, depending on the personal characteristics of students. A combination of different models allows each student to develop in the direction that he is interested.
4. independent development. The student must effectively manage their time, be able to plan and be disciplined. Otherwise, do not succeed in a mixed system.
5. Increased motivation. Many people love gadgets and services. In the XXI century, people do not just want to learn - they want to make it interactive and interesting, and fun to take part in the webinars, lead the discussion in the forums, learn a variety of programs.

Blended learning in action

As has been said, in Russian to the blended learning until just eyeing. It is considered the most promising its implementation in language teaching institutions. Indeed, in blended learning it has everything you need to speak in a foreign language: live chat, watching movies and listening, learning new words in a playful way, and so on.

One of the first to work in this direction beginning foreign language school ALIBRA, Learning English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and even Chinese. Educational programs are unique in many respects. English, for example, are taught by the author's method, allowing just eight months with zero rise to the level of Upper-Intermediate.

ALIBRA format most similar to the model of Face-to-Face Driver. At school, a large variety of forms of training. Lessons can be both group and individual as ochnymi (school representative offices in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan and Yekaterinburg) and remotely via Skype. To determine your level of language, you can go online testAnd to decide on the form of education - attend a free open class.

But the priority is still given to teaching in the classroom. Digital technology is a complement classroom courses, making them more efficient and convenient. For example, with mobile applications ALIBRA can learn new words even on the subway or in the queue. All three applications, each has free demouroven.

ALIBRA Sky - for testing the general course Skyrocket.

ALIBRA Forward - to improve spoken English.

ALIBRA Business - to study business English.

ALIBRA recently launched an interactive online platform ALIBRA English Campus. While in beta mode, but there is already a built-in dictionary, video and audiouroki, interactive tasks. With ALIBRA English Campus will be available in real time to track your progress and to consult with the teacher.

Through this platform, the entire content of the basic course is available in English 24 hours operation per day, seven days a week. Each student's own account, through which he can:

• learn grammar;
• work pronunciation;
• learn and repeat vocabulary;
• perform any exercises and tests to consolidate the material.

ALIBRA SCHOOL creates for its students a single ecosystem, completely immersed in the target language. Due to the unique educational programs and a mixed approach (applications and platform ALIBRA English Campus fully comply with the unique method of school) Progress is visible at once.

You will not notice how after eight months, your language level will be higher than average, and vocabulary - more than two thousand words. You can freely write and speak in English, will no longer shy away from foreigners on the streets and begin to sing western songs.

Learn a language in Alibra