Virtual Academy for Teaching and Learning

Challenges of Blended and Distance Learning

New course design

You cannot take an existing course and just “put it” online. Initially, you should identify which content would best be presented face-to-face and which content would be presented online for a blended course. You must also decide how best to change the presentation of your materials for the online learning environment. Align course learning goals and objectives with instructional strategies, activities, and assessments that work best in the online versus F2F learning environment.

Roles and responsibilities

Students who are new to the distance learning environment must learn to adapt to this mode of delivery, which often requires more reading and writing than face-to-face courses. Students also must employ good time management skills as distance courses require them to balance online and face-to-face course activities with outside obligations. Whether content is presented online or face-to-face, the instructor’s role is ultimately that of learning facilitator. Although the instructor creates the blended learning environment, the technology takes center stage as students interact with technology through its delivery, accessibility, flow, content, and activities.