Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this paper is to explore student views of blended learning in a university setting based on the use of audio lectures, seminars, discussion boards and wikis. Design/methodology/approach: In total, 14 seminar (focus) groups consisting of approximately 20 students each, over a two year period, provided qualitative views of how students believed blended learning would be useful for their degree and future careers. Findings: Students found the blended learning approach very flexible and preferable in many cases to traditional face-to-face learning. Key themes in terms of emerging benefit themes included: flexibility and support; motivation and sharing ideas; class interaction and explanation of ideas; better than pure eLearning; communicating and teamwork; developing project leadership skills. Research implications/limitations: This exploratory study of university students is important because they are aware of the value of blended learning and transferable skills for the workplace. The research is limited because it is qualitative, yet it still provides a useful insight into the benefits and value of blended learning from the student perspective. Originality/value: There is a paucity of qualitative research on the benefits of blended learning and this paper examines the value of the overall approach for university students and the workplace.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 446-450 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Industrial and Commercial Training |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- Attitudes
- Learning
- Students
- Teaching methods
- Universities
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Education
- Business, Management and Accounting(all)
- Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
Cite this
Value of blended learning in university and the workplace : Some experiences of university students. / Fearon, Colm; Starr, Simon; McLaughlin, Heather.
In: Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 43, No. 7, 10.2011, p. 446-450.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Value of blended learning in university and the workplace
T2 - Some experiences of university students
AU - Fearon, Colm
AU - Starr, Simon
AU - McLaughlin, Heather
PY - 2011/10
Y1 - 2011/10
N2 - Purpose: The aim of this paper is to explore student views of blended learning in a university setting based on the use of audio lectures, seminars, discussion boards and wikis. Design/methodology/approach: In total, 14 seminar (focus) groups consisting of approximately 20 students each, over a two year period, provided qualitative views of how students believed blended learning would be useful for their degree and future careers. Findings: Students found the blended learning approach very flexible and preferable in many cases to traditional face-to-face learning. Key themes in terms of emerging benefit themes included: flexibility and support; motivation and sharing ideas; class interaction and explanation of ideas; better than pure eLearning; communicating and teamwork; developing project leadership skills. Research implications/limitations: This exploratory study of university students is important because they are aware of the value of blended learning and transferable skills for the workplace. The research is limited because it is qualitative, yet it still provides a useful insight into the benefits and value of blended learning from the student perspective. Originality/value: There is a paucity of qualitative research on the benefits of blended learning and this paper examines the value of the overall approach for university students and the workplace.
AB - Purpose: The aim of this paper is to explore student views of blended learning in a university setting based on the use of audio lectures, seminars, discussion boards and wikis. Design/methodology/approach: In total, 14 seminar (focus) groups consisting of approximately 20 students each, over a two year period, provided qualitative views of how students believed blended learning would be useful for their degree and future careers. Findings: Students found the blended learning approach very flexible and preferable in many cases to traditional face-to-face learning. Key themes in terms of emerging benefit themes included: flexibility and support; motivation and sharing ideas; class interaction and explanation of ideas; better than pure eLearning; communicating and teamwork; developing project leadership skills. Research implications/limitations: This exploratory study of university students is important because they are aware of the value of blended learning and transferable skills for the workplace. The research is limited because it is qualitative, yet it still provides a useful insight into the benefits and value of blended learning from the student perspective. Originality/value: There is a paucity of qualitative research on the benefits of blended learning and this paper examines the value of the overall approach for university students and the workplace.
KW - Attitudes
KW - Learning
KW - Students
KW - Teaching methods
KW - Universities
U2 - 10.1108/00197851111171872
DO - 10.1108/00197851111171872
M3 - Article
VL - 43
SP - 446
EP - 450
JO - Industrial and Commercial Training
JF - Industrial and Commercial Training
SN - 0019-7858
IS - 7
ER -