Applied Linguistics

Disadvantages and advantages of blended learning

Disadvantages of blended learning

1-Temporary increase in workload (transition phase)

It is not easy to switch to a new method if you are already used to a traditional approach It’s hard to disagree that there is a significant amount of work involved in the first stage of blended learning in which everything is set up. It is not easy to switch to a new method if you are already used to a traditional approach. You may be wondering how to balance face-to-face training with online training. It may take a while to reap the benefits of this learning approach. In this article we will provide you the Disadvantages and advantages of blended learning.

2-Lack of motivation

Another downside is that depending on how you set up blended learning, it can decrease the motivation of your participants. Not every blended learning model is the right one for every person, task, subject or organization. In the same way that you consider children’s reading levels when choosing books for them, you should consider which approach will work best for your employees or clients.

Employees who are used to working with their hands may not like sitting in front of a screen for too long. As you can imagine, these things are essential to consider when preparing your learning methods and materials.

3-Basic knowledge of technology

Your participants must have a basic knowledge of technology to take classes and complete assignments online. Your employees aren’t going to learn too much from a screen if they don’t know how or aren’t interested. This problem can be solved with a quick introduction to new training techniques and their benefits.

4-Plagiarism and credibility issues

Plagiarism is a known problem in the world of e-learning. It can be difficult for online students to resist the temptation to search for things on the web while learning from a computer or cell phone

To avoid plagiarism , you can use plagiarism checkers. Timers, randomized questions (so that all participants receive a different selection of questions for their test), and ensuring that search engines block web browsing help prevent participants from searching for answers during online tests and courses.

Other Disadvantages

  1. On the one hand, there are still gaps between young people and adults, which still make it difficult for all teachers to access blended learning experiences.
  2. The other great limitation is the social and economic gap that determines, in many cases, that certain areas and groups do not have access to the necessary technological equipment and are once again excluded from higher-level educational offers.
  3. In some cases, community technology centers can solve these problems, but we certainly must work to overcome these types of marginalization.
  4. Strategies have not been developed to maintain student motivation and make them feel integrated into a group.
  5. The very large offer of courses can also be considered as a weak point of e-learning, given the inequality of quality between them. This generates doubts and uncertainty in the user, and results in them preferring to enroll in a conventional course.
  6. Many of the degrees obtained through this learning system are not officially recognized.
  7. Some digital learning courses reinforce the idea of ​​collaborative work but it is not a characteristic common to all or even to a majority. This immediately leads us to the traditional high percentage of “death” among ED students, a phenomenon associated with factors such as an independent learning style (possibly linked to the cognitive style identified as field dependence-independence), reading-writing skills necessary, the ability to organize work, self-discipline, the group as a support for personal continuity, the requirement of periodic assistance as a resource that maintains the feeling of “being studying” and avoiding loss of rhythm and abandonment.

Advantages of blended learning

1-Suitable for large groups

The first advantage is that blended learning helps you reach a larger audience in less time. Why? Because unlike traditional methods, blended learning does not require the coach to be present all the time. Traditional classroom settings are limited to a limited number of people at the same time.

For some training topics, it is impossible to make a full transition to online training. For example, some trainings require hands-on and hands-on activities.

In that case, you can post some of your training content to a learning management system . It will help you stagger the theoretical part of your training. While your employees are busy learning on their own, you can dedicate yourself to other tasks, including face-to-face training sessions.

2-Better preparation and feedback

Another important advantage is that blended learning makes traditional training more valuable. When people can complete tasks independently, they can go to classes with the same level of knowledge. There is more time for useful discussions and to practice what they have learned.

As employees complete online materials and tasks on their own, you can do less work and relax. However, it is also possible to assist students who require more information, which is one of the most important benefits of blended learning. You can complete the feedback loop when you adjust your training based on the results of the first training sessions.

3-Great for non-tech fans

Some people in the education sector are not big fans of technology, even if they recognize its benefits. Also, some employees and clients may not like it either, mostly when they are used to face-to-face training .

Blue-collar workers and more traditional students, for example, may like hands-on training much more than learning from their smartphone screen. Since no one can deny the benefits of technology, taking a combined approach can solve this problem.

4-Employees set their own pace

It can be difficult to learn with other people, especially if they have different learning styles . On the other hand, some may enjoy learning in a group. A rotation model could do wonders for your organization. It gives your employees time to understand more difficult topics on their own and allows them to share their knowledge and skills with others.

Many might also find it challenging to manage their time if they were attempting to complete a course at the same time as doing their regular work. With the online model  of blended learning, you can give your employees a generous amount of flexibility in deciding when to study.

5-Cost reduction

Blended learning helps you lower costs. Requires fewer classrooms or training centers, fewer instructors, less travel time. Less money is spent overall.

6-It’s more fun!

Keeping people engaged and interested in what you are saying while teaching a mandatory training course can be demoralizing, even if you are the coach! Can you imagine having to repeat something over and over again and not being able to measure whether your students have paid attention to what you have said?

Blended learning eliminates this problem. Move the theoretical part of your training to the online sphere and monitor it with the tests that measure the knowledge of your employees. More fun and efficient for everyone involved!

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