Principles of Blended Learning: Shared Metacognition and Communities of Inquiry

The rapid migration to remote instruction during the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the demand for research, expertise, and practical guidelines for online and blended learning. Principles of Blended Learning provides a theoretical grounding of approaches and practices to support blended learning and sustain change in education organizations. It emphasizes the collaborative and individually constructivist nature of higher education, considering social, cognitive, and teaching presence to create meaningful learning experiences. The authors explore and refine the blended learning principles in this volume, focusing on designing, facilitating, and directing collaborative blended learning environments through shared metacognition.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 172 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2023
Publisher: AU Press

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a swift shift towards remote instruction, highlighting the urgent demand for increased research, expertise, and practical guidelines for online and blended learning. A solid theoretical foundation is essential to facilitate blended learning and drive sustainable change within educational organizations, spanning from leadership to classroom levels. Principles of Blended Learning provides a valuable framework that views higher education as a collaborative and individually constructivist learning journey. The framework takes into account the interconnected aspects of social, cognitive, and teaching presence to foster a meaningful learning experience. In this second edition, the authors delve deeper into and refine the blended learning principles explored in their previous book, Teaching in Blended Learning Environments: Creating and Sustaining Communities of Inquiry. They specifically emphasize the design, facilitation, and direction of collaborative blended learning environments, with a strong emphasis on shared metacognition.

The shift towards remote instruction has highlighted the need for a comprehensive understanding of online and blended learning. Principles of Blended Learning offers a valuable framework that recognizes higher education as a collaborative and individually constructivist learning experience. The framework considers the interconnected elements of social, cognitive, and teaching presence to create a meaningful learning experience. In this second edition, the authors delve deeper into and refine the blended learning principles explored in their previous book, Teaching in Blended Learning Environments: Creating and Sustaining Communities of Inquiry. They specifically emphasize the design, facilitation, and direction of collaborative blended learning environments, with a strong emphasis on shared metacognition.

The authors of Principles of Blended Learning have recognized the importance of designing, facilitating, and directing collaborative blended learning environments. Shared metacognition plays a crucial role in these environments, as it enables learners to collaborate effectively, monitor their progress, and provide feedback to each other. By emphasizing shared metacognition, the authors aim to enhance the learning experience and promote deeper understanding and engagement among learners.

The book provides a comprehensive guide to designing, facilitating, and directing collaborative blended learning environments. It begins by introducing the concept of blended learning and its benefits, including increased flexibility, accessibility, and engagement. The authors then explore the principles of blended learning, including the importance of social presence, cognitive presence, and teaching presence. They provide practical strategies and techniques for creating and sustaining collaborative blended learning environments, such as using online tools, fostering peer-to-peer learning, and promoting active participation.

In addition to designing, facilitating, and directing collaborative blended learning environments, the book also emphasizes the importance of assessment and evaluation. The authors provide guidance on how to assess learners' progress and evaluate the effectiveness of blended learning programs. They discuss the use of formative assessments, such as quizzes and assignments, as well as summative assessments, such as exams and projects. They also highlight the importance of feedback and reflection, which can help learners improve their performance and develop their metacognitive skills.

Principles of Blended Learning is a valuable resource for educators, administrators, and policymakers who are interested in enhancing the quality of online and blended learning. The book provides a theoretical grounding for approaches and practices in blended learning, as well as practical strategies and techniques for creating and sustaining collaborative blended learning environments. By emphasizing shared metacognition, the authors aim to promote deeper understanding and engagement among learners and drive sustainable change in education organizations.

In conclusion, Principles of Blended Learning is a valuable resource for educators, administrators, and policymakers who are interested in enhancing the quality of online and blended learning. The book provides a comprehensive guide to designing, facilitating, and directing collaborative blended learning environments, with a strong emphasis on shared metacognition. By emphasizing the importance of social, cognitive, and teaching presence, the authors aim to promote deeper understanding and engagement among learners and drive sustainable change in education organizations.

Weight: 254g
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781771993920