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Apr 15, 2023 03:13 AM
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The entire world came to a standstill during Covid; needless to say, and we are still coping with the aftermath. The education sector took a hit when all the institutions were shut down and had to change to online learning. Once covid restrictions were eased, and institutions started opening up again, Universities started implementing Blended Learning in Canada. Also known as Hybrid Learning, it is only becoming more popular over the years. It is a form of learning and teaching which incorporates or ‘blends’ both online and face-to-face forms of teaching, offering the best of both worlds.
Blended Learning in Canada showcases another reason why the country maintains its position as one of the pivotal educational hubs of the world. It offers all kinds of educational methodologies, state-of-the-art teaching, innovative courses and programs, the best onsite and offsite training and whatnot. In Canada, there is always something for you.
On this note, this blog might interest you. Check it out!
Advantages of Blended Learning
Blended Learning in Canada has many benefits, which include:
- Flexibility: The students can access the course content through various devices like a laptop, mobiles etc. they are not bound to a particular place. They can access the course and the class wherever they may be.
- Technology-Oriented: It facilitates the use of technology for the benefit of the students and the teachers. The teachers use innovative and updated means, like multimedia, Powerpoint Presentations and online activities, to teach specific concepts to students. Technological advancements are not used in a regular face-to-face lectures in class. Blended Learning in Canada allows teaching to be done more innovatively, enhancing the overall learning experience.
- Staying Ahead: Using and learning from the latest technology in the educational field will help students and teachers remain ahead. They will develop a better understanding of the tools and technology used in today’s world instead of sticking to standard ways of teaching and then eventually being exposed to technology in the later years.
- Dynamic Learning Experience: This form of learning offers a unique and dynamic learning experience where the students get the best of both worlds. Instead of bland and tedious ways of learning, Blended Learning in Canada is a breath of fresh air, which looks at learning through new eyes. The students can learn at their own pace through online classes while learning alongside their peers in the physical classes. This helps them develop an interest in what they are learning instead of focusing solely on long, tedious hours of continuous lectures; they can direct their energy and time accordingly.
Models or Types of Blended Learning in Canada
1. Flipped Model: The most used model of Blended Learning in Canada involves an inversion of the standard classroom model. Instead of the students attending physical classes and then attending an online session for extra courses or some self-paced learning, this model focuses on online learning. The students study individually at home using online modules or video lectures, and the time in class is utilised for group activities, active learning and applying the newly learned skills to practise. Additional digital resources like quizzes, video lectures and other activities must be completed before or after the class, per the tutor’s instructions. This way of teaching allows the teachers to utilise the in-class time for educational and group projects, working on the students’ teamwork skills and helping and supporting the students with the concepts they learnt individually.
2. Rotational model: The students rotate through self-paced online study and face-to-face classes in this form of blended learning. The schedule is fixed, but the teacher can customise the course according to the student’s needs. The rotational learning model allows the students to practise what they have learnt without any gaps. It follows specific procedures and schedules which ensure the smooth flow of the course, online and offline. The fixed schedule also makes tracking the training progress easier for the teachers and provides support if and when required.
3. Flex Model: The flex model of blended learning offers a personalised and flexible learning experience catered to the needs of the students. Online learning is the core transmitter of the course here; however, the teachers provide the necessary support in small groups as needed without obstructing the entire class and lagging them behind.
4. Enriched Virtual Model: This model also delivers the course contents through online learning; however, the students must go through scheduled sessions with the instructor, which can be done virtually or physically. This model may be considered the opposite of the original teaching framework. However, it starts with virtual or online classes but incorporates some mandatory in-person sessions, paving the way for teacher-student and peer interaction.
5. Face to Face Model: This model of Blended Learning resembles the traditional classroom framework the most. The training or learning takes place in a classroom or online under the supervision and guidance of a teacher. This approach is mainly used for students who need personalised individual support to those who are unable to grasp some concepts or lag behind in class and require extra assistance.
Universities Offering Blended Learning in Canada
Many Universities offer Blended Learning in Canada. Some offer it under the name of Hybrid Learning. You can check some of the Universities below which provide courses with this model.
- University of Toronto – Which courses or programs are available in online or hybrid format? – School of Continuing Studies (utoronto.ca)
- Concordia University of Edmonton – Online and Blended Learning for International Students – Concordia University of Edmonton
- University of Waterloo – Blended Learning | Centre for Teaching Excellence | University of Waterloo (uwaterloo.ca)
- Vancouver International College – Hybrid Classes – Online Learning | VIC Career Campus (vancouver.college)
- Dalhousie University – Blended Learning – Online Teaching – Dalhousie University
- Robertson College – Hybrid Learning | Robertson College
- Mohawk College – What is Blended Learning? | Mohawk College
Conclusion
Hybrid or Blended Learning dates back to around the 1990s, but it reached its peak during Covid-19 and after that, when educational institutions started opening up with restrictions. In this blog, we have introduced you to the different models of Blended Learning in Canada and worldwide. Many Universities across all provinces in Canada offer this type of learning. All you have to do is check out the University’s course webpage or information section about the course to find out if it is Blended or Hybrid. In this blog, we have also mentioned some Universities and Colleges which offer them. Good Luck!
