Blended Learning: Key to Skills, Content, and Language Learning Success
Eric M. Brewster
Overview
Principles and Fundamentals of (e-) Learning and (e-)Teaching
Challenges and Design for Curriculum Integration
MuSSS English 1 & 2 - A Blended Learning Model
Building Communities of Practice: A Case Study
Experience and Observations
Final Thoughts
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Three Principles of Teaching and Learning
"The acquisition of knowledge is a dynamic and interactive process in which
the learner seeks, discovers and applies learning in real world, problem-
solving situations.“
"Self-access by definition is an individual path to knowledge, the discovery
of one’s own limitations, and the chance to break through individual
barriers.“
“The goal of teaching is to enable learning to take place.”
-Laurillard (1993). Rethinking University Teaching.
Seven Principles – Best Practices
Encourage student-faculty contact
Encourage contact among students
Encourage active learning
Give prompt feedback
Emphasize time on task
Communicate high expectations
Respect diverse talents and ways of learning (Chickering & Gamson, 1987)
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Fundamentals of Teaching and Learning
LEARNERS
SKILLS
CONTENT
Learning
Learning
Learning
LANGUAGE in context by doing
for life Brewster (1995, 2)
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Thoughts on New Technologies
Support for learning in a more effective way than
conventional classroom instruction
Support for learning complex content and skills
Promote and support communities of practice and
participatory, collaborative models of education
Blended Learning among top 10 trends in education and
training
Blended Learning to overtake other models of instruction
(Mean, Toyama, Murphy & Baki, 2013, 3-8)
The Current Situation at JKU
20,000 students – campus, commuters
Increasing numbers of students working
full or part time
Numerous single parents and care givers
Cannot leave jobs or families several days
a week to attend F2F classes
Regional orientation
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Working Students at JKU
82% employed
19% 1>10 hrs./wk
35% 11>35 hrs./wk
27% 36>45 hrs./wk. with a rising tendency
50% to support themselves and their education
40% to improve their lifestyle/standard of living
(Batinic, Jodlbauer & Felbinger, 2009)
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Need for Individualization
Increasing heterogenity and diversity of
students
Age of students increasing
Alternative educational paths
Language nouveau differences
Reasons for taking up studies
The Challenges – in and outside of the Classroom
Use social and communication skills
Use IT skills
Use language skills
Use content knowledge
Work at a distance; work in a team
SAL
Work across “cultures”
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
The Goal
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
SAL Interaction
Reflection
MuSSS Multimedia Studies Service in Social and Economic Sciences
MuSSS: “bring the campus to the student”
Core courses – Social and Economic Sciences
blended learning mode
F2F – regional centers
Online – MOODLE and Adobe Connect
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
The Solution: MuSSS
Courses with no or reduced F2F attendance
Condensed F2F phases
Courses on weekends and during summer months
Blended Learning emphasis and course design
Multimedia support
Regional centers
Half-semester modules
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Development History
Pilotphase 2008
Currently 60 % of Curriculum in Business,
Economics, and Social Sciences offered as
MuSSS courses
English First module WS 09/10
First summer courses 2010
First year long course 2015
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
MuSSS Curriculum for English
Module English 1 :
Communicative Skills
Business English 1
6 ECTS (150 hrs.)
Module English 2
Intercultural Skills and Language Development
Business English 2
6 ECTS (150 hrs.)
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Strategies
Optimize learning environment
Promote willingness to learn English
Promote positive Teacher-Learner attitudes
Awareness of problems in English learning
Increase self-access and confidence
Group size
Limit numbers to 24 per course
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Das Blended Learning Concept 1+1+1= 1
F2F
Self-study Online
BLENDED LEARNING
Intensive work with English in blocked course
meetings
Weekly chat sessions
1/3 more contact than in traditional courses
Self-access, self-study tasks, portfolio
Implementation
F2F
Online chats
Self-study- on and off line
Design and Support
F2F
Self-study Online
Moodle
Adobe Connect©
KuSSS
Telephone
----------------------------
TellMeMore©
Emmerson, Business Vocabulary Builder,
Macmillian, 2009
MuSSS Module Design
25 hrs. F2F and Online Chat
25 hrs. SAL with TMM
25 hrs. Homework, Preparation, Learning Plan
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
F
L
E
X
I
B
L
E
Placement and Self-evaluation
GERS Self-assessment grid
Learning plan
Placement Test TMM
Individual Supervision
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Weekly Chat Sessions
Agenda
Sign-on and system check
Discussion Questions on Identity and Nationality
Tasks for March 23
Sign-off
Chat Example
Chat Example
Evaluation 1
Weekly chats useful for practice of learned
material/content/language (14/15)
Problems seen with slow connections and waiting on
others less versed in technology (1/15)
4/15 expressed chat as help to overcome shyness
Problems overcome by activities, reshuffling in group
work, F2F community.
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Evaluation Engl. 2
Ranking from S2014 course, n= 7
F2F and Chats = 1
Self-access tasks (homework, research) = 2
Online exam = 3
Positive feedback on all components
Feeling of contribution of all parts to learning
Feedback highly valued
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Community and Place
Learners and Instructors
Goals and Requirements
Attitudes
Community Building Activities
Sense of Place
Success Factors
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Academic Writing C1
Specialization in Social and Economic Sciences,
Law
Weekly, F2F, online (set time, asynchronous forum),
ECTS 3
Focus on Process Writing
Research
Feedback
Supervision
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Task Topics Discussed in Blog
Writing status quo
Finding a topic
Writing a proposal
Developing a thesis statement
Outlining
Finding and evaluating resources
Referencing
Drafting
Mechanics
Paper to poster
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Evaluation AW
AW Forum blog-Peer Review-F2F feedback
n= 18 from 20
Solutions and language skills development
(14/18)
Interaction (14/18)
Feedback (12/18)
Reflection (9/18)
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Project Achievements
400+ learners enrolled since WS 2009
2 regional centers established
Summer Schools 2010, 2014-present
Evaluations 2010 – 2011 – 2014– 2015 to present
ESIS (European Language Label) certification and award 2013
Year long program implemented 2015
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Lessons Learned
Different (e-)Learner and (e-)Teacher demands
Effective course design - Blended Learning
Profit for learners: topics, technology, time on task
Balance and discipline
Awareness of principles and parameters
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Speaking for Themselves
R.W., June 21, Chat 14:
“interest raising to continue on my own. All components
build a solid base. Nothing can substitute use to learn a
language in a sustainable way.”
G.G., June 21, Chat 14:
“amount of things to do, workload adds to effectiveness,
process of recognition, revision, recycling”
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Speaking for Themselves
"Only the classroom is not enough."
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
F2F and online demand a redefinition of roles for learners and
teachers.
ICT promotes communicative capabilities, key skills, and
content understanding.
Self-directed learning is the goal; the path, however, is free to
choose.
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
References
Batinic, B., Jodlbauer, S., and Felbinger, G. (2009). Erhebung zur Studiensituation an der JKU - 2008. (unpublished project survey report) Linz: University of Linz.
Brewster, E. (1995). Vocationally Oriented Language Learning: Problems, Possibilities, Perspectives. Vienna: Braumüller Verlag.
Chickering, A. and Gamson, Z. (Eds.). (1987). Seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education. In: AAHE Bulletin, 38(7), 3-7.
Laurillard, D. (1993/2002).Rethinking University Education, London: Routledge.
Means, B., Toyama, Y., Murphy, R. and Baki, M. (2013, March). The Effectiveness of Online and Blended Learning: A Meta Analysis of the Empirical Literature. In: Teachers College Record, Volume 115, 1-47.
Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Contact Dr. Eric M. Brewster
Department of Business Languages and Intercultural Communication
Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria
Dr. Eric M. Brewster