العربية    中文    русский    Français
Student Portal Staff Portal Online Payment
University of Wollongong in Dubai University of Wollongong in Dubai
  • About
    • Our Campus
      • About Dubai
      • 360° Virtual Tour
    • Accreditation
    • Rankings
    • UOW Australia
    • UOW Global Network
    • President’s Message
    • UOWD Board
    • UOWD Advisory Council
  • Degrees
    • Bachelors
      • Business & Commerce
        • Bachelor of Business (Accountancy)
        • Bachelor of Business (Finance)
        • Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management)
        • Bachelor of Business (International Business)
        • Bachelor of Business (Management)
        • Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
        • Bachelor of Business Administration
      • Computer Science
        • Bachelor of Computer Science
        • Bachelor of Computer Science (Big Data)
        • Bachelor of Computer Science (Cyber Security)
        • Bachelor of Computer Science (Game and Mobile Development)
      • Engineering
        • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Civil Engineering
        • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Computer Engineering
        • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Electrical Engineering
        • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Mechanical Engineering
        • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Telecommunications Engineering
      • Healthcare
        • Bachelor of Nursing (Conversion)
      • Information Technology
        • Bachelor of Business Information Systems
      • Media & Design
        • Bachelor of Communication and Media (Digital and Social Media)
        • Bachelor of Communication and Media (Marketing Communication and Advertising)
        • Bachelor of Communication and Media (Screen Media Production)
        • Bachelor of Communication and Media (Visual Communication Design)
    • Masters
      • Business & Commerce
        • Global Executive Master of Luxury Management (GEMLux)
        • Master of Applied Finance (Corporate Treasury)
        • Master of Applied Finance (Investing)
        • Master of Business Administration
        • Master of Business Analytics
        • Master of Financial Management
        • Master of Human Resource Management
        • Master of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
        • Master of International Business
        • Master of Management
        • Master of Marketing
        • Master of Supply Chain Management
      • Education
        • Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies
        • Master of Educational Studies
      • Engineering
        • Master of Engineering Management
      • Healthcare
        • Master of Nursing
      • Information Technology
        • Master of Information Technology Management
      • Media & Design
        • Master of Media and Communication
      • Political Science
        • Master of International Relations
    • Doctorate
      • Business
        • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
    • Graduate Certificates
      • Graduate Certificate in Business
      • Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management
      • Graduate Certificate in Marketing
    • Pathway Programs
      • NCUK - International Foundation Year
      • UOWD Freshman Year
  • Training
    • Study English
    • English Testing
    • Languages
    • Short Courses
  • Join UOWD
    • Why UOWD
    • Fees
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Master's Degree
    • Admission Requirements
      • Bachelor’s Degrees
      • Master's Degrees
    • Scholarships
    • Education Agents
  • Student Life
    • Academic Calendar
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Master's Degree
    • International Students
    • Visas
    • Health Information
    • Student Accommodation
    • Career Development
    • Transportation
    • Clubs and Sports
    • Transfer to Australia
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Benefits
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Alumni Awards
    • Alumni Career Network
    • UOWD Graduates
  • Teaching
    • Faculties
    • Blended Learning
    • Library
    • Trimester System
    • Academic Integrity
  • Research
    • Research Sectors
    • Research Excellence
    • Research Interests
    • Research Projects
    • Research Grants
    • Research Awards
  • Media
    • News
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Gallery
    • Downloads
      • Annual Report
      • Brochures
      • Logos
  • Contact
    • Application Form
    • Online Payment
    • Feedback
    • Work at UOWD
  • Open Day: Tuesday 24th May, 2022 from 4pm to 8pm - Register now
Enquire Apply

Demystifying Blended Learning In The Age Of The Pandemic

  • Home
  • Media
  • News
  • Demystifying Blended Learning In The Age Of The Pandemic

Demystifying Blended Learning In The Age Of The Pandemic

Tuesday, 29 June, 2021


The whole world has experienced the devastating impact of the pandemic. When COVID-19 first struck, the education sector had to pivot, almost overnight, to ensure uninterrupted learning for students amidst the crisis.

Among the key approaches trending at the time that have continued to hold sway over a year later, is the blended learning approach. However, clearly there are some misconceptions about blended learning and what its impact will be in the post-pandemic era.

First, it is important to understand that distance learning is not synonymous with blended learning. While distance learning focuses only on remote learning without real time interaction between educators and peers, blended learning takes a more holistic approach to education. 

Through principles of learning design, blended learning combines high-quality in-person and digital learning experiences that benefit from the best of both learning environments - allowing for more support and engagement with learners. This approach triumphs in offering students the environment for self-paced, flexible learning experiences with digital education that utilise interactive media such as games, videos, and quizzes as part of a structured learning experience. 

Ideally, blended learning should also be ‘human-centred’ or ‘learner-centred’, and factor in the human capacity for learning, catering to these differing capabilities across multiple digital touch points. In doing so, the richness of this mix provides experiential learning - allowing students to reinforce the key concepts learned and apply their new-found knowledge through mediums that they are comfortable using. 

For example, some students may be more open to learning and receiving feedback live in real-time from their educator and peers. Others may prefer to engage with flexible asynchronous digital content such as videos or quizzes to revisit the topics and concepts at a later stage to ensure a full understanding of the subject. Through catering to all types of learners - those who prefer a structured environment as well as those who learn better with more digitally focused training, today’s universities are well positioned to ensure a fuller and richer learning experience. 

This combination of synchronous and asynchronous (live or digital) learning is also highly effective because learners aren’t just watching or hearing: they’re doing. Through its focus on applying the knowledge gained long after they’ve left the physical or virtual classroom, students are better able to retain what they’ve learned.

As the pandemic continues to accelerate digitalisation and our adoption rates of new technology across sectors, an increasing number of us now work or study from home. Our reliance on technology has grown, and we also feel more comfortable doing so. With technology empowering us to accommodate learner diversity, how can universities maximise the gains from their blended learning approach? 

1. Seek accreditation

Distance learning programs are usually dynamic and of high quality but require meticulous research to identify the educational institution that is the right fit. In a blended learning system, a university must receive accreditation from relevant local, regional and federal bodies, as well as professional accreditation organisations to ensure that the quality of education is not compromised. 

2. Redesign your programs 

Identify key programs that need redesigning to facilitate a blended learning system that is well aligned with the quality standards of your university. 

3. Recruit an education specialist 

Subject faculty and senior leadership can consult an education specialist in learning design for blended and online learning. While offering fresh perspectives, they will help shape the education delivery process and offer counsel on rolling out the new learning approach. 

3. Train your faculty 

The blended learning model requires a significant restructuring of the role of faculty and student. Faculty in this model become educators that are designers of learning and facilitators of learning experiences.

4. Communicate to your students

As the education model undergoes a paradigm shift, it is important to effectively communicate these changes to your students as the new approach requires a significant shift in their mindset. They must now become more mindful learners, who take responsibility for their education and have greater autonomy in their learning journey. 

5. Empower your learners 

Provide students with flexible access to learning content, create opportunities for active, collaborative learning and build systems within the curriculum for them to apply the knowledge they’ve gained through a learner-centred approach.

Remember, there simply isn’t a one-size fits all model for education. The new approach is an iterative process, however, given the rate of digitalisation and the changing learner needs. As educators, it is high time we rethink our education models to ensure learning is a continuous process. As philosopher Eric Hoffer famously said: “In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future, while the learned usually find themselves beautifully equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.”

More News

17 May 2022
UOWD Partners with Clean Tech Start-Up FortyGuard to Fuel the Next Generation of Future Entrepreneurs

Students from the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) are set to be exposed to the world of start-ups through internship placements with Fortyguard ...

Read More
10 May 2022
Stanley Black & Decker and Dabur International Put UOWD’s Marketing Students to the Test at Its 10th IAIC Program

Over 40 students across Marketing Principles and Principles of Marketing Management were given the opportunity to present ...

Read More
06 May 2022
Sustainable Business at the Forefront of UOWD’s MBA Networking Event

University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) recently highlighted the importance of networking through an event that saw the university’s MBA alumni ...

Read More
08 Apr 2022
UOWD Freshmen students visit Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve with Wildlife Specialist Dr Mohammad Ali Reza Khan

On Friday, 11 March 2022, select students from University of Wollongong in Dubai’s first batch of Freshmen program were invited to join prominent and award-winning ...

Read More
24 Mar 2022
UOW delegation discusses health-education priorities at Expo 2020 Dubai

Professor Patricia Davidson, Vice Chancellor and President University of Wollongong (UOW) led a joint team from UOW and the University of Wollongong in Dubai ...

Read More
22 Mar 2022
UOWD students receive most promising team award at UN Youth Hackathon

A team of Master of Business Analytics (MBAS) students from the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) has received the award for Most Promising Team ...

Read More
21 Mar 2022
UOWD celebrates staff contributions with Service and Values Awards

The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) has celebrated the outstanding contributions of members of staff during a recent ceremony of recognition ...

Read More
20 Mar 2022
UOWD students connect with senior leadership team

Students from the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) have had the opportunity to meet and interact with senior leadership from the University of Wollongong ...

Read More
19 Mar 2022
UOWD showcases actions on equity and diversity

The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) celebrated in January 2022, an important forum to celebrate the great work in Diversity, ...

Read More
18 Mar 2022
NCUK International Foundation Year Degree Pathway Showcases Borderless Opportunities for UOWD Students to Stand Out in Competitive Job Market

NCUK, a leading university consortium, unveiled its partnership with University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) during an official in-person inauguration ...

Read More
View All

Open Day

Do you know that our next Open Day is on Tuesday 24th May, 2022?
Join our experts to learn more about our degrees, and how you can enrol in our autumn intake which starts on 26th September.


Register Now Upcoming Open Days

Established in 1993, University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) is the first international Australian university in the UAE, and is now part of a global brand that has campuses in Australia, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Location

University of Wollongong in Dubai is located in the heart of Dubai's vibrant education and training cluster, Dubai Knowledge Park.

Directions

Forms

Forms footer menu

  • Application Form
  • Visa Application Form
  • IELTS Application Form
  • Referee Report
  • Scholarship Form
Quick Links

Quick links footer menu

  • Our Campus
  • About Dubai
  • Mission & Vision
  • Career Paths
  • Payment
  • Events
  • News
  • Library
  • UniClinic
  • IT Services
  • Legal Services
  • Downloads
Contact us

University of Wollongong in Dubai
UOWD Building, Dubai Knowledge Park
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
P.O. Box 20183

Toll-free 800-UOWD, or +971 4 278 1800
[email protected]

Stay Connected
  • Copyright © 2022 University of Wollongong in Dubai

  • Privacy
  • Disclaimer
  • Site map

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

Learn More