The whole notion of blended learning as a new approach to learning is a sham perpetrated by the purveyors of elearning. Effective learning occurs through multi-sensory perception via multi-instructional modes. We learn through all our senses via a variety of learning experiences in a variety of contexts. We always have and always will.
The purveyors of elearning initially touted elearning as the “be all and end all” of training. It was the salvation of the learning community, both corporate and higher education. With elearning, everyone could learn what they wanted, when they wanted at their own pace. How could any learning be more efficient and effective!!
Unfortunately, elearning was not all that successful. Studies showed the vast majority of learners never followed their elearning experiences to conclusion. Some surveys/studies showed that up to 75% of learners never completed their elearning programs. Elearning advocates finally realized that elearning was more successful when used in conjunction with other learning experiences based on other instructional methodologies, e.g., instructor-led training, discussion, coaching, etc.
To recoup themselves and save face, elearning advocates began touting elearning as being most viable in a “blended” context, i.e., used in conjunction with other instructional methodologies. How novel!!!!! What an enlightened discovery!!! Obviously, such elearning advocates were not professional educators or trainers otherwise they would have known all along that – All learning is, was and ever will be blended!!!
