Does Blended Learning Enhance Student Engagement? Evidence from Higher Education

Abstract

Technology advancements in the present era have tremendous impact on teaching and learning as well. The present research aims to answer the research question; whether use of technology would help and support autonomous learning and also enhance student engagement? To assess this, blended learning approach was applied in a business course. "Blended learning" refers to combining face-toface learning with online learning experience. The detailed findings of a study conducted to assess the impact of blended learning initiative on student's engagement and overall learning in a business course has been reported in the paper. In addition, it also draws student's perspective on blended learning approach. LMS (Learning Management System), the eLearning platform, was extensively used for flipped classroom and other activities which were applied in Organizational Behavior course throughout one semester (16 weeks). Multiple sources were used for data collected; focus-group interviews; student surveys and LMS records. For comparison purpose, the course learning outcome achievement data were collected from two sections of this course; first, the test group (Section A) and second the control group (Section B). The results clearly show an increase in students learning in the test group (where blended learning was applied), in terms of learning outcome achievement and overall engagement with online activities as well as in class activities. This was depicted in their online quiz results, time spent and quality of contribution on online forums, discussions and glossary. According to student's perspective (test group), they felt motivated as they had some control over time, place or pace for learning. The evidence is found for the positive outcomes of blended learning approach; leads to higher student achievement and improves student engagement. Based on the analysis, the study contributes with its fruitful findings to the literature of Blended learning. Strong implications can be drawn for both the Instructor and the Institutions who wish to implement blended learning approach. Consequently, meaningful reforms in the higher education can be future direction for the government.

Does Blended Learning Improve the Academic Achievement of Undergraduate Students in the Mathematics Course?: A Case Study in Higher Education

“…Thus, in order for success to be achieved, the teacher must be able to use modern education techniques, and students must be skilled in the use of computers, the internet, and e-mail which help transfer this education to classrooms (Bunatovich & Khidayevich, 2020). According to Sahni (2019) and Alammary, Sheard and Carbone (2014), blended learning may be one of the most effective new approaches for university education to familiarize the learner with continuous learning, enabling the learner to educate themselves and enrich their information. This is the case because the goal of university education is to develop critical and creative thinking skills, and to provide students with methods of generating knowledge, and to enable them to continue their learning in the future (Oweis, 2018;Tongchai, 2016).…”

University Students’ Readiness for Using Digital Media and Online Learning—Comparison between Germany and the USA

“…Online teaching has been used for more than two decades in tertiary education [8][9][10][11][12]. Online teaching encompasses innovative learning formats such as blended learning, e.g., [13], flipped classroom, e.g., [14,15], social and collaborative learning (e.g., using social media), e.g., [16], simulations and game-based learning, e.g., [17,18], synchronous and asynchronous video lectures, Evidently, beliefs influence peoples' actions by interacting with knowledge and information processing [47]. This is why teachers' beliefs about teaching and learning are crucial for establishing proper actions in classroom situations on different educational levels.…”

Sustainable Engagement of University Students in E- Learning during the Post-pandemic of Covid-19: Evidence from Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

“…With the advancements in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) embedded, educational sector has shifted the teacher-centric learning environment into the student-centric learning environment while posing many new challenges to the prevalent education system all over the world (Dwivedi, Dwivedi, Bobek & Zabukovšek, 2019;McBrien, Cheng & Jones, 2009). Not only in other sectors, the advancements in technology is considered being a tremendous impact on teaching and learning as well (Sahni, 2019). Online learning has proven its significance in the domanin of higher education which is growing dramatically (Li & Guo, 2013, as cited in Li & Guo, 2015.…”