Blended Learning and Flipped Classroom

The Endorse entrepreneurship course is designed to be delivered in a variety of settings and ways. The course structure and content are particular way suited for a blended learning approach, which combines online educational materials and opportunities for interaction online with physical classroom practices. Individual learning phases give students more possibilities to absorb relevant entrepreneurship concepts and apply them to their own interests and needs, while the common sessions can be used to clarify concepts, facilitate discussions and exchange of ideas, and provide additional input.

A related concept to consider is the flipped classroom approach that inverts the traditional cycle of content acquisition and application. In a flipped classroom, students gain necessary knowledge before class, and instructors guide students to actively and interactively clarify and apply that knowledge during class. The goal is to facilitate deeper learning, increase student participation, and provide more opportunities for interaction and collaboration, and more feedback for both students and instructors. Entrepreneurship concepts are widely covered online, therefore it is comparatively easy to find resources that complement the core course programme covered in Endorse.

Further you will find some suggestions to make blended learning effective and successful.

The article Unlocking Blended Learning: Strategies, Benefits & Tools published on the appsembler website identifies five best practices:

Establishing Clear Objectives: It’s important to start with a clear understanding of what you want to achieve with blended learning. Are you aiming to increase student engagement, offer a more personalized learning experience, or improve learning outcomes? By establishing clear objectives, you can tailor your blended learning approach to meet your specific goals.

Incorporating Varied Instructional Strategies: In a blended learning environment, it’s crucial to use a mix of instructional strategies. Incorporate lectures, discussions, hands-on activities, group work, and online resources to cater to different learning styles. By varying your instructional strategies, you can create a more engaging and effective learning experience.

Leveraging Technology to Enhance Learning: Technology is a key component of blended learning. Use digital tools to enhance the learning experience, such as multimedia content, interactive quizzes, and online discussion forums. Incorporate technology that aligns with your objectives and supports your instructional strategies. Remember, technology should complement, not replace, face-to-face instruction.

Encouraging Student Autonomy and Accountability: Blended learning offers students greater flexibility and control over their learning. Encourage students to take ownership of their education by setting goals, managing their time, and seeking help when needed. Foster a sense of accountability by setting clear expectations and providing regular feedback.

Continuously Assessing and Improving the Blended Learning Approach: Implementing blended learning is an ongoing process. Continuously assess the effectiveness of your approach by gathering feedback from students, analyzing performance data, and reflecting on your own experiences. Use this information to make adjustments and improvements to your blended learning approach.

The article Blended learning: ten tips on how to implement it into a curriculum in healthcare education offers valuable ideas to overcome barriers and harness the advantages of blended learning effectively. Here is a summary of some of the tips:

Apply the Kern Cycle for Curriculum Development: Utilise the six-step Kern cycle, adapted for online teaching, to plan and implement a blended learning curriculum. Ensure that online and face-to-face phases are closely aligned and that revisions are planned early in the development process. The cycle includes:
1. problem identification,
2. targeted needs assessment,
3. formulating goals and learning objectives,
4. selecting educational strategies,
5. implementation, and
6. evaluation and feedback.

Apply an Instructional Framework for Design: Redesign the entire curriculum using instructional frameworks like the five principles of instruction proposed by Merrill et al. This ensures that both online and face-to-face phases actively engage learners and promote higher-level learning objectives. The five principles include:

1. problem-centeredness with real-world problems,
2. learner activation,
3. demonstration of new knowledge or skills for the learner,
4. application of new knowledge or skills by the learner, and
5. integration with synthesis and reflection.

Involve the Target Group: Engage learners and educators in all stages of curriculum development, including testing and feedback. Consider incorporating learners as content creators to enhance engagement and relevance.

Clarify Incentives and Legal Aspects: Address accreditation concerns and legal issues early in the planning process. Discuss workload calculations, data protection, and copyright considerations to ensure smooth implementation.

Provide a Common Thread: Develop an overarching theme or topic to guide both online and face-to-face activities. This helps students and educators navigate the curriculum and understand its coherence.

Combine and Align Teaching and Assessment Methods: Integrate various teaching and assessment methods to meet learning objectives effectively. Align online and face-to-face activities while considering constructive alignment principles.

Integrate Open Educational Resources (OER): Incorporate existing OERs and online resources to enrich the curriculum. Encourage collaboration and critical reflection on resources to enhance digital literacy skills.

Make Full Use of Evaluation and Feedback Opportunities: Establish an evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of the blended learning curriculum comprehensively. Use feedback to refine and improve the curriculum continuously.

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