Since the epidemic has started, the education sector is also persistently evolving to meet the current requirement of the students and teachers. In a latest development Union Grant Commission (UGC), has released its concept note or draft guidelines for the infusion of a new pedagogical system of “Blended learning and education” which is the integration of both the offline as well as the online teaching methodology. The new draft guidelines of “Blended Learning (BL)” are developed in line with the aims and objectives of the new education policy (NEP) 2020.
What is this new “Blended Learning and education system”?
As per the Draft the blended learning means the integration of both the traditional way of physical face-to-face (F2F) learning with the online teaching using all the latest technology required to conduct online classes and exams. UGC has suggested that as per blended learning institutions can conduct 40% of class via online method and remaining 60% can be conducted via offline method also. This new concept of learning is very flexible from students’ point of view as students can frame their own courses, design degrees, pick teachers and timings, study through any mode, learning or examinations on demand and at will.
Top Highlights
- UGC drafts concept note or guidelines on Blended Learning BL.
- Draft note suggests 40% classes can be conducted online and remaining 60% can conducted through offline mode.
- UGC has sought suggestions from stakeholders on concept note before 6th of June 2021.
It’s a good method of merging regular, distance, online and virtual modes of learning through this blended learning concept. Only a well-crafted blended solution can provide a seamless transition from classroom to computer and vice-versa. The draft suggests that the advantage of the BL for the student is that it will increase learning skills, greater access to information, improves satisfaction and learning outcome, and it also suggests that this shift of learning methodology doesn’t mean that the teachers will play a passive and less important role in students’ education on the contrary teachers can have an even more profound influence and effect on students learning.
The traditional method of physical learning was more teacher-directed but BL is more students-driven, with differentiation as its main feature. Technology has the main role to play in this new concept of blended learning. The draft has also focused on the implementation of the technological infrastructure especially in the higher education institutions. A list of infrastructure requirements (both hardware and software) are given in the draft. All the higher education institutions have to equip themselves with the technological infrastructure to implement the concept of blended learning.
UGC suggests that implementing the new mode of Blended learning in higher education needs to be explored more from assessment and evaluation purposes. It suggests that “Continuous comprehensive Evaluation” should be encouraged in universities and colleges. The new Evaluation strategy emphasises more on open book examination, group examination even for conventional theory papers, spoken/ speaking examination, and on demand examination. The draft is also promoting the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for many more assessments like, attention level, speed of learning, and level of learning etc.
UGC has also sought suggestions from the stakeholders on the draft concept note by June 6. The link of the UGC draft on BL is given below: –