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BLENDED LEARNING : CHALLENGES FOR LEARNERS AND

INTRODUCTION 

Recently, in the whole world educations and technology has grown and changes in a
blink of eyes. Information and communication technologies (ICT) have developed rapidly
and influenced most of the fields and education as well. Educations in no longer done in
the traditional ways. With the developments of technology now days, various type of
media is now been used in the delivery of education. In 2003, the American Society for
Training and Development identified blended learning as one of the top ten trends to
emerge in the knowledge delivery industry (cited by Rooney, 2003). In country, blended
learning are now been used in the most of high level educations. Blended learning is
defined simply as a learning environment that combines technology with face-to-face
learning. In other words, blended learning means using a variety of delivery methods
and tools such as letter, video, cassettes, television and computers to best meet the
course objectives by combining face-to-face teaching in a traditional classroom with
teaching online.

There have been many definitions for blended learning. Distance learning is defined by
Greenberg (1998) as “a planned teaching/learning experience that uses a wide spectrum
of technologies to reach learners at a distance and is designed to encourage learner
interaction and certification of learning”. Teaster and Blieszner (1999) explains as “the
term distance learning has been applied to many instructional methods: however, its
primary distinction is that the teacher and the learner are separate in space and possibly
time”. Keegan (1995) defines that distance education and training result from the
technological separation of teacher and learner which frees the student from the
necessity of traveling to “a fixed place, at a fixed time, to meet a fixed person, in order to
be trained”. Based on (Kaya, 2004) distance education is defined as the sort of
education in which the distance between learner and educator is emphasized, and
technology is used intensively throughout the learning process. Recently, blended
learning has been defined as the combination of face to face and on-line learning
(Williams, 2002). 

Studies at the University of Central Florida (Dziuban & Moskal, 2001) and the University
of Winsconsin, Milwaukee (Garnham & Kaleta, 2002) both indicated that students
encountered a number of challenges with blended course. Challenges that are being
faced in the design and implementation of blended learning systems to students are
inadequate time management skills, problems with accepting responsibility for personal
learning and difficulty with more sophisticated technologies.

The discussion will focus on the possible challenge that are faced by learners who are
learning in an environment that adopts the blended learning approach and suggestions
on ways to overcome the challenges to ensure successful learning experience.

DISCUSSIONS
CHALLENGES

In the uses of the technology and the environment of blended learning there are several
challenges that students face in order to achieve their goals setting in their educations.
All the challenges will make this learning meaningful to the learners in their education. 

TIME MANAGEMENT

Time management is one the main challenges for students in this approach of learning.
Time management is a struggle for many undergraduate students. This struggle can
become particularly acute in a blended course where online activities are required to be
completed between face to face classes (Vaughan, 2007)

A time management skill is very important to the learners in blended learning

environment. The successful time management will allow the learners to complete their
task in the time given. Learning a good time management techniques will ensure the
smoothness in learners study in order to accomplish their goal setting. In blended
learning learners always fail to manage their time effectively. Most of them do not know
how to manage and planning their time to settle down the task as well as managing their
responsibilities in their own daily life. All of these things will affect the learning in this
blended learning environment. 

RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEARNING

Many first year undergraduate students, who are away from home for the first time, are
in the early stages of “learning how to learn.” The notion of taking responsibility for one’s
own learning can be very difficult for students accustomed to being passive learners
within a traditional lecture format. Initially, students may be unprepared for the active
learning role they must play in a blended course. (Vaughan, 2007)

Learner in blended learning education always has a problem to make a choices about
the kind of blends that they are participate in. this is because it might impact their
learning experience. Online learning components often require a large amount of self
discipline on the part of the learners (Collins, 2003). Learners need to know their own
responsibility in learning because they will learn without the close guidance of an
instructor. 

TECHNOLOGY

Most of technology related problems that students encounter in blended courses usually
occur within the first weeks of the semester. These problems are usually related to the
procedure for accessing the online component of the course such as web site address
and logon information. Problems that persist throughout the semester sometimes involve
either downloading large files or assessing more sophisticated web-based applications
such as video clip (Aycock et al…,2002) 

Blended learning environment uses several of method and usually need the learner to
have skills in ICT in order to use the facilities provided by the university. If the learners
do not have the ability to use media, ICT and computers it will totally give the big impact
in the learner study. This is because of the blended learning itself use online learning to
communicate virtually with tutor and friend during the discussion and forum. Uses of
technology also needed in order to find the information, resource to increase learners
understanding of the topic and also to complete the task given.
SUGGESTIONS TO OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES

To be the successful learner in blended learning environment, learner needs to know

their weakness and try to overcome the problems. They need to prepare themselves to
achieve their goals setting. 

HOW TO MANAGE TIME EFFECTIVELY?

To be a successful learner in blended learning environment, learners need to know how
to manage their time effectively. Learners need to divided and plan their time to do their
daily routine and to do their task as well as their study time. Managing time is not just
about managing time for study, learners also need to manage themselves as well. These
are some of the advice on how learners can manage their time effectively. 

i) Analyses Your Use of Time

The learners need to analyses their use of time. They need to know their time usage.
They need to answer several questions in order to analyse the time usage such as
below: 
a) Do I use my time efficiently?
b) How do I waste time?
c) What or who distracts me?
d) Do I need to plan out my time for the year, semester, week, day or each piece of
work? 
e) Do I waste time getting started on my studies?
f) Do I make the most of my spare time for my studies?

After answering these questions learners need to identify the strategy in what should
they do to improve their uses of time. Example:
Question: What or who distracts me?
Answer: House work and children 
Strategy to improve: Do the house work and study early in the morning or late night to
avoid distraction from children. 
Analyse the time uses are very important to the learners to manage their time based on
the reality of their daily life. In this way, the learners will know what are the problems in
their time uses for their routine and study. So they can plan how to manage their time
effectively. 

ii) Set Your Priorities

Learners need to learn how set their priorities in order to take charge of their situation
and to achieve their target. For example, as a married student spouse and children are
the priorities. So student need to know and set their priorities but they need to ensure
that others will not distract them in their goals as a student.

iii) Plan a Schedule

To have a good management of time require the student to plan a schedule in they work
and routine. Nowadays, a lot of tool we can use to help us to plan our schedule.
Timetable, diaries, yearly planners and also electronic planning gadget can be best to
write and notes our schedule. 
Learners also need to identify their best study time and ensure they follow their schedule
as well. Learners also need to consider their hobbies and sleeping habits. The most
important thing learners need to study when their mentally most alert. 
RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEARNING

As a student, learners need to be prepared and know their responsibility. Be responsible

in your learning. In this way you will achieve your goals setting without any problems. To
be a responsible learner in learning, students need to be well prepared for their tutorial
and class. Student also needs to be active in learning. The most important thing,
learners need to have a high self-discipline in their attitude and study to achieve the
goals setting.

TECHNOLOGY

To overcome their problems in uses of technology in this blended learning environment,

learners need to learn how to use the tools in their online learning. This is very important
to the learners in order to discuss in online forum. Learners need to be positive in their
attitude and try to use the entire source to improve their skills of using technology. Other
than that, students need to ask for help form friend and family to gain as much as
knowledge they can in uses of technology. Learners also can go to computer class to
learn how to use the computer. 

CONCLUSION

Blended learning concept is now grown faster in many fields. Most of the university use
this type of learning environment. In order to blend in this type of learning, learners need
to focus in their study and know their challenge that they will faced when learning in this
environment. Learners also need find ways to overcome the challenges to ensure
successful learning experience. The challenge that are being faced in the design and
implementation of blended learning systems to students are inadequate time
management skills, problems with accepting responsibility for personal learning and
difficulty with more sophisticated technologies. Learners have to find the ways out of the
challenges to ensure the successful in their study.

by: Nurulhaslin binti Zainol

REFERENCES

Akkoyunlu & Soylu. Y. (2006). A Study on Students’ Views On Blended Learning

Environment. Turkish Online Journal of distance Education. 43-56.

Bonk, C. J & Graham, C.R. (Eds)(in press). Handbook Of Blended Learning: Global
Perspectives, local designs. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer Publishing. 

Dato’ Dr Zaiton Osman et. al. (2009).OUMH1103 LEARNING SKILLS FOR OPEN AND
DISTANCE LEARNERS. Seri Kembangan, Selangor Darul Ehsan: Meteor Doc. Sdn.
Bhd.

Valiathan,P. (2002). “Blended Learning Models.” Learning Circuit. Available from

http//www.learningcircuit.org/2002/aug2002/valiathan.html Retrieved August 2, 2009.

Vaughan. N.(2007). Perspective on Blended Learning in Higher Education. International

Journal on ELearning(2007)6(1),81-94.
Posted by lynnbrettaat 12:02 PM0 comments 
‘Virtual Classroom’
Definisi 

‘Virtual Classroom’ merupakan kelas berbentuk maya dan merupakan satu kaedah
pembelajaran terkini. Kelas maya ini juga dikenali sebagai e-pembelajaran. Menurut
Garrison dan Anderson (2003), e-pembelajaran adalah penyampaian latihan dan
pendidikan melalui interaksi berangkaian dan pengumpulan serta penyebaran teknologi. 

Jamaludin (2000) menakrifkan e-pembelajaran sebagai pendekatan pembelajaran yang

mana pendidikan, latihan dan maklumat yang berstruktur disepadukan dan disampaikan
oleh komputer melalui internet khususnya web atau cakera keras, CD17 ROM, storan
mudahalih berkeupayaan tinggi seperti ORB (Object Request Broker) atau Iomega Zip
ataupun melalui sistem jaringan organisasi.

Manakala Rosenberg (2002) pula, mendefinisikan e-pembelajaran sebagai berangkaian,

mampu mengumpul dan menyebar maklumat serta membolehkan jejakan maklumat
melalui komputer di samping memfokus kepada persekitaran lebar pendidikan. Ia
teranjak jauh daripada paradigma latihan tradisi.

Yusup (2000) pula mengkategorikan definisi e-pembelajaran kepada tiga iaitu:

1) Pendekatan pengajaran dan pembelajaran yang menggunakan teknologi maklumat
dan komunikasi secara terarah pengajar (pendekatan sistem) atau terarah pelajar.
2) Pendekatan pembelajaran yang menggunakan media digital dan rangkaian komputer
untuk menghasilkan pembelajaran yang lebih berkesan tertutama menggunakan
internet.
3) Mempunyai ciri-ciri pengajaran yang berasaskan talian.

Menurut Rosenberg (2001), e-pembelajaran merujuk kepada penggunaan teknologi-

teknologi internet untuk menyampaikan penyelesaian yang luas yang meningkatkan
pengetahuan dan prestasi.

Berdasarkan definisi yang diberikan secara umumnya kelas maya merupakan

pembelajaran yang dilaksanakan dengan penggunaan teknologi. Antara teknologi yang
digunakan bagi pelaksanaan kelas maya adalah rangkaian elektronik (LAN (local area
network) , WAN (world area network) atau internet) untuk penyampaian isi kandungan
pengajaran dan pembelajaran, berinteraksi ataupun pemudahcaraan diantara pengajar
dan pelajar. Kemudahan teknologi seperti internet, intranet, satelit, pita audio atau video,
TV interaktif dan CD-ROM juga merupakan sebahagian daripada media elektronik yang
digunakan di dalam pengajaran secara maya.

Kriteria

Di antara kriteria yang membolehkan pengajaran dan pembelajaran itu di panggil ’Virtual
Classroom’ dapat dilihat daripada segi pelaksanaan, pendekatan, kaedah dan sumber
Bagi sesuatu pengajaran dan pembelajaran tersebut dijalankan.

Pembelajaran bagi ‘Virtual Classroom’ melibatkan aplikasi computer dan sistem secara
berangkaian, yang membolehkannya berupaya untuk melakukan pengemaskinian,
menyimpan atau mendapatkan kembali, menyebar dan berkongsi pengajaran atau
maklumat dengan pantas. Keupayaan ini sangat penting yang mana ia menjadi
keperluan mutlak bagi e-pembelajaran bagi penyampaian dan penerimaan maklumat
secara cepat dan berkesan serta sistematik.

Dari sudut masa pengajaran dilaksanakan pula, ia boleh disampaikan pada waktu yang
sama atau serentak, ataupun pada waktu yang berbeza atau tidak serentak. Bahan
media bagi pengajaran dan pembelajaran yang disampaikan melalui kaedah ini
lazimnya mempunyai teks, animasi, simulasi, audio dan video bagi memudahkan pelajar
memahami kosep pembelajaran yang hendak disampaikan. Oleh yang demikian walau
dimana atau bila pembelajaran tersebut dijalankan, pelajar tetap mendapat maklumat
yang sama.

Menurut Learnframe, 2001 kemudahan untuk perbincangan kumpulan dan bantuan

profesional isi kandungan pelajaran secara dalam talian hendaklah disediakan. Ini
bertujuan untuk memudahkan pelajar berkomunikasi bersama rakan-rakan dan tenaga
pengajar di dalam talian bagi membincangkan masalah yang dihadapi dan pertukaran
pendapat. 

Yusup (2000) menayatakan bahawa cirri-ciri e-pembelajaran adalah seperti berikut:

i) teknologi elektronik sebagai bantuan
ii) bahan yang reka dan dibina oleh pasukan pembina bahan yang professional
iii) kurikulum dan kursus yang disediakan dalam rangkaian atau talian
iv) sistem penilaian diurus oleh computer
v) boleh belajar pada bila-bila masa dan di mana jua
vi) pengurusan kursus yang efektif

Mod Pengajaran

Dalam pelaksanaan ‘Virtual Classroom’ terdapat beberapa mod pengajaran yang

dilaksanakan. Di antara mod pembelajaran yang dilaksanakan adalah perbincangan
melalui forum, e-mail dan sinkronus. Melalui mod pembelajaran ini, pelajara dapat
berinteraksi dan melibatkan diri secara aktif dengan memberikan pendapat, pandangan
dan persoalan mengenai isi pembelajaran.

Selain dari itu, isi pembelajaran bagi kelas maya ini dapat diambil di dalam talian. Isi
pembelajaran lazimnya di dokumenkan di dalam fail PDF, Powerpoint atau di dalam
Microsoft Word. Dengan cara ini pelajar tidak perlu membawa modul atau buku bagi
mengulangkaji pelajaran di tempat yang berlainan. Mereka hanya perlu memuat turun
dokumen tersebut daripada talian internet.

Platform

Manfaat yang Diperolehi oleh Pelajar

Di dalam pelaksanaan ‘Virtual Classroom’ terdapat pelbagai manfaat yang boleh

diperolehi oleh para pelajar. Pembelajran yang berasaskan IT mendorong pelajar untuk
meningkatkan pengetahuan dan prestasi mereka di dalam penggunaan teknologi yang
terkini bagi mencapai matlamat mereka. Selain menambah ilmu mereka juga dapat
menaik taraf penggunaan media di dalam kehidupan seharian mereka.

Selain dari itu, mod pelaksanaan kelas maya ini memerlukan pelajar untuk berinteraksi
dan memberikan pendapat di dalam forum yang telah disediakan. Melalui forum ini
pelajar akan mendapat maklumbalas dan seterusnya memberi respon yang sewajarnya
bagi sesuatu topic yang dibincangkan. Melalui kaedah ini, pembelajaran, pemikiran kritis
dan kreatif boleh berlaku dengan berkesan. Melalui interaktiviti juga seseorang pelajar
akan mencari maklumat selanjutnya untuk memenuhi keperluan ingin tahunya dan
membina pengetahuan baru mengenai sesuatu konsep dan kefahaman. Secara tidak
langsung ia dapat menjadikan pelajar sebagai seorang yang berdikari dan peka
terhadap pembelajaran yang dialaminya.

Cara pembelajaran kelas maya yang dibuat secara kolaboratif, melalui perbincangan
dengan rakan dan dengan individu lain melalui internet (mel elektronik, Internet Relay
Chat, IRC dan sidang video) memainkan peranan yang penting dan dengan cara ini
pembelajaran akan menjadi lebih aktif dan berkesan. Pelajar dapat menonjolkan diri
secara positif bagi menzahirkan pendapat mereka mengenai sesuatu permasalah atau
pendapat.

Selain dari itu, kaedah pembelajaran kelas maya ini menggesa agar pelajar mengambil
inisiatif untuk menganalisis dan mendiagnosis keperluan pembelajaran mereka sendiri.
Pelajar juga perlu menetapkan sendiri pembentukan matlamat pembelajaran yang
relevan dengan personaliti dan gaya belajar masing-masing. Dengan cara ini pelajar
dapat memupuk sikap berdikari, disamping bekerjasama diantara pelajar untuk
memperolehi maklumat secara optimum. 

Pembelajaran dengan menggunakan kelas maya juga dapat memberikan manfaat

kepada pelajar dari segi pengurusan masa yang boleh diselaraskan mengikut keperluan
sendiri. Pelajar juga dapat mengakses bahan serta mempelajarinya dalam keadaan
tidak formal. E-pembelajaran juga banyak menyediakan bahan yang bersifat interaktif
yang mampu memberi maklumat serta mudah memberikan maklum balas
(eLearning.com.intros.2007).

Disamping itu juga, pelajar bebas berinteraksi dan menyatakan pandangan mereka
mengenai sesuatu tajuk atau kekeliruan mereka tentang sesuatu topik yang
dibincangkan. Dengan cara ini pelajar yang bersifat introvert mampu berkomunikasi
dengan baik semasa perbincangan di dalam ruangan forum.