Saturday, March 24, 2012

Blended Learning Solutions

In fact, since coming to power in 2010, the Coalition Government has sought widespread reforms in the area education and learning practices. This has involved research into primary, secondary and higher education, as well as university funding. In all, the introduction of Academy status schools - characterised by their independent status and blended learning solutions - has meant that local authorities are now seeing their role decreasing as parents and teachers decide the best way forward.

More recently, the debate has continued to revolve around the merits of the highly sought after grammar schools, and whether they should be widely re-introduced once more. In fact, the counties of Essex and Kent still operate grammar schools widely with few remaining outside of the South West (Devon & Dorset) although one should not forget how grammar schools are the school of choice in Northern Ireland where student attainment rates are higher than their mainland counterparts.

Either way, one thing is clear, the coalition government is intent on ensuring that government funded schools - whether they be grammar, state, comprehensive or religiously aligned - continue to offer the best possible education at an affordable price to the taxpayer. In doing so, the schools will keep up with their private and public school rivals as academies are able to specialise in a particular area of curricular.

But what about university education where the divide between educational background comes to the forefront? Well, with the changes in funding have come changes in educational processes and what it means to now attend university. For instance, blending learning solutions such as in class discussions mixed with group work and targeted employment training are becoming the norm; with students expected a well-rounded package for the financial expenditure. Perhaps the purist example of these changing dynamics has come from the institutions like the Open University, Birkbeck College, London, BPP Law School and London School of Business and Finance, each of whom deliver blended learning solutions. They do this by offing online classes/seminars, mobile learning opportunities, e-resources and even an online graduation. These flexible learning techniques are aimed to help part-time/career learners to continue, or further, their education.

Arguably the changes that have been seen in education will benefit future generations with schools now focused on excellence, whilst universities are taking steps to make learning that little easier, more flexible and with greater employability rates. If anything, educational changes should be welcomed but monitored closely to ensure that continue to meet the needs of those they serve - students.

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