Future Directions of Blended Learning in Higher Education and Workplace Learning Settings

A s is clear from reading this book, blended learning is more than fashionable; it is the training and educational delivery method of choice. Blended learning is dominating news in higher education, corporate America, and governmental training settings. It is now a standard part of the education and training lexicon. Organizations and institutions of learning must now account for blended learning in all its various disguises. Blended learning is seen in the linkages between instructors , learners, and classrooms located in two or more states, provinces, regions, countries, or continents. Blended learning occurs in those exciting opportunities where students debate and discuss scholarly ideas in an asynchronous forum and then bring in the authors for a synchronous chat or videoconference. Blended learning happens when some course meetings or training events are conducted virtually rather than face-to-face. Such classes or training experiences can blend students located at various remote regions or perhaps instructors collaboratively teaching a class at two or more locations. Blended learning might simply supplement course readings and activities with online articles, simulations, events, and other resources. Indeed, the forms and functions of blended learning, as detailed throughout this book, are simultaneously mind-boggling and inspiring. Perhaps that is the takeaway from this book: blended learning surrounds us. In this handbook, there are societal and governmental needs for blended approaches such as when the SARS crisis forced entire cities and countries to consider how learners and workers might best acquire access to knowledge without physical contact.