Blended Learning

Universities globally are confronted with the challenges of making learning and teaching more accessible and more flexible. The push towards greater flexibility of learning, supported by existing and emerging technologies, is substantially being driven by students who increasingly seek to engage in learning when and where they choose. UWS, like other higher education institutions, is leveraging the opportunities provided by technologies to support new generation learners, many of whom are digitally literate, frequent users of mobile networked media, and seeking highly interactive, visual, immediate, and socially engaging learning.

UWS has chosen a strategic approach to the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and Web 2.0 technologies in learning and teaching through the adoption of a blended learning approach in the design and delivery of its programs.

Blended learning integrates face-to-face and e-learning through a carefully considered learning design to enhance and extend the student learning experience through the effective use of ICTs. Blended learning environments replace some face-to-face class time with online learning activities.

The process of planning and implementing blended learning within a unit enables the development of quality online learning activities. It can also provide an impetus for transforming curricula across common units and at the course level. At the course level, curriculum development processes such as alignment and mapping can facilitate the integration of specific and relevant UWS graduate attributes through all levels of the course.