Blended Learning For English Proficiency at the MIBF 2012

Technology has revolutionized education.  Learning and acquiring information has gone beyond the halls of the school, and teaching has become so much more interesting and dynamic than ever before.  The 21^st century educator is slowly but surely adapting himself/herself to the learning style of the 21^st century learner. With technology being a constant companion of the digital native student, the innovative teacher strives to create a blended learning environment where technology is used by students to gain knowledge and skills. 

There is an increasing interest in the use of technology in education.  But there is more to creating a blend of learning environment using technology. Just what exactly is Blended Learning and how does one get started? These are important questions that were answered last September 14 when EduPower Publishing Corporation brought to the MIBF a learning event entitled Blended Learning for English Proficiency.  

The learning session was facilitated by Mr. Jasper Vincent Alontaga, a professor at DLSU-Manila handling Educational Technology classes for both undergraduate and graduate levels.  From his presentation, Blended Learning or also called Hybrid Learning was defined as the convergence between face-to-face learning environment and computer-mediated learning environment. It is a combination of strategies and approaches in the process of teaching and learning using technology-driven instructional resources.  It was said that bringing in technology into the classroom is not to cut short teaching time for the teacher nor to fill-in a gap in the absence of things to do; several benefits of blended learning include pedagogical richness via access to new resources, increased flexibility and convenience, and differentiated instruction suited to the academic needs of learners.

from top left: Ms. Agnes Apostol, Project Director of EPC ICT4E; Mr. Jasper Alontaga, resource speaker; learning event attendees Dr. Alice Buni and Dr. Lorna Caballero of PLP with EPC Business Development Specialist Mr. Paolo Garcia

There are a number of blended learning models which educators can choose to implement. From a face-to-face driver model where teachers use online learning for supplemental instruction to an online driver model where courses are primarily online and students work remotely most of the time and face-to-face check-ins are sometimes optional and other times required.  As with any new idea, the task of blending can be daunting at first but knowing that in the convergence between the traditional and computer-mediated instruction lie the standard principles of learning theories such as discovery, constructivism, cognitivism, active learning, and interactivity. 

To get started in blended learning, educators should get to know available tools that will best complement classroom instruction. EduPower gave participants a sneak peek at its unique set of learning solutions for them to create and implement an effective blended learning experience. In building English proficiency, participants were invited to try English Discoveries Online, a blended learning solution that takes the best from both computer and classroom experiences to create a flexible, comprehensive mode of instruction that suits a wide range of learning styles and abilities.   

The learning event was held at the meeting room 3 of the SMX Convention Center.  Attendees include educators from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig, University of Makati, Colegio de Sta. Rosa-Makati, Phil. Cultural High School, San Sebastian College, La Consolacion, PNU, and Lorma Colleges among others.  EduPower commits itself to providing educators and learners with the best in print and digital learning materials.