Blended Learning: Reduction of Government Spending On Higher Education Diverging Views
“Blended Learning describes a range of teaching strategies that combine face-to-face instruction with individual, student directed, computer-based learning program.” Blended learning (also known as hybrid learning) is a method of teaching that integrates technology and digital media with traditional instructor-led classroom activities, giving students more flexibility to customize their learning experiences.
Studies have shown “blended learning” reduces failure rates, improves learning, and boosts engagement. Blended learning combines the best aspects of face-to-face teaching and online instruction in ways that enable students to learn at their own pace. For example, a student in a blended learning course who masters a concept earlier than his peers can move on without having to wait, and conversely, a student who needs more time is not forced to move forward before fully grasping the subject.
According to the World Economic Forum, more than 1.2 billion children in 186 countries got affected by school closures due to the pandemic. This forced educational institutions to adopt online technologies at break-neck speed. There has already been an impetus being given to the adoption of technology, with global edtech investments reaching US$18.66 billion in 2019 and the overall market for online education projected to grow up to $350 billion by 2025
In Contrary to this, two teachers’ associations of Jadavpur University have communicated to the UGC that while the application of digital tools to make the teaching-learning process more innovative and inclusive is the need of the hour, the necessary physical infrastructure must be developed by the government. The Jadavpur University Teachers Association (JUTA) said in its response to the UGC Concept Note about blended learning method that majority of students do not have the required high-speed internet connectivity with a standard digital device, which is essential to get round-the-clock access to learning resources. It is believed that the unplanned and rapid push for online learning – with no training for teachers, insufficient bandwidth and connectivity issues — will result in a poor user experience that is unconducive to sustained learning.
On another study, it is shown that the geographical location of 60 per cent of all colleges and 40 per cent of all universities in India is in rural areas, where network connectivity is a major issue. Moreover, the digital divide among students is starkly visible across gender, caste, religion, region, and income, association general secretary
JUTA strongly feels that the mechanical imposition of a blended mode of education on such diversely different stakeholders of higher education is unscientific, iniquitous, and undemocratic.” Association also believes “a different agenda behind this prescribed blended mode is to advocate reduction of government spending on higher education in the name of quality education,”
The recommendation for a blended mode of education in the present scenario seems untimely and is very likely to exclude millions of students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, from the arena of higher education, It is clear from the concept note that the blended mode of education will be effective for urban students from higher income groups, with better network connectivity as this blended mode will include and benefit only those who can financially afford better digital access,
The Second Association; The All Bengal University Teachers’ Association (ABUTA) said the move to seek feedback of teachers bodies about blended teaching mode is nothing but an attempt to mislead the people as the UGC has already framed regulations asking Vice Chancellors of different universities to have 40 per cent of teaching on online mode. Association has lodged protests against the draft of new National Education Policy, which ofcourse the UGC ignored
Some feel that blended teaching will destroy public funded university system, and help the privately run corporate sector.
