“BLENDED” is the way to go in School Academics
School academics, particularly in Science and Math learning cries for major revamp. Traditional mode of memorization based learning need to be replaced with concept and application based learning. STEM based careers in near future require quality workforce having strong conceptual base in STEM subjects.
Major roadblock is huge shortage of quality STEM teachers at middle and secondary school levels. This calls for an immediate action on the part of both Govt. and private sector educational agencies, to come up with workable and scalable solutions.
Technology has the potential to implement workable solutions at scale, transcending geographical limits. But, alone technology shall not bring in required transformation in education. The onus for designing innovative academic interventions lies with experienced educators. Above all, school leadership must create a dynamic ecosystem of innovations in education.
Looking around, one can easily make out that online offerings, whether in e-commerce or e-learning are going blended. This means, online-offline blended solutions are proving to be more outcome oriented.
Blended learning has proved to show 11-15% higher learning outcomes as compared to fully virtual or fully offline methods. What matters is the way offline & online learning modules are blended. Common feature of both modules has to be student centric, wherein instructions(both online and offline) must be seamlessly integrated with assessments
