Dr Julia CHEN, Department of English and Communication

Blended learning in action: Design and research for increased student engagement. The International Conference on English Language and Teaching (ICOELT). English Department, FBS Universitas Negeri Padang (online), 26-27 October 2022.

Abstract
The COVID pandemic has accelerated the adoption of online and blended learning across the globe. After the initial phase of emergency remote learning that caught academia rather unprepared, education institutions around the world are examining ways to enhance the effectiveness of blended learning after face-to-face classes resume. One practical concern is the design of blended learning components to ensure that they achieve their purposes, including alignment with, and strengthening of, the in-class learning components; increasing student interest in learning; offering timely and targeted learning support; and helping students achieve the intended learning outcomes of the courses. This talk will present practical considerations on the design of blended learning components that engage students, such as activity type, timing, and minimum requirements, while taking into account teacher and student workload. Concrete ways of increasing student participation in the blended activities and enhancing the quality of blended learning courses will be explained with support from research evidence. Cautions against one-size-fits-all implementation will be discussed. These will be followed by an exploration of involving students as partners in the design and implementation of flipped classroom activities to enhance their learning experience.