Blended Learning

Blended learning is an approach where educators leverage technology and digital access for learners to create, communicate, collaborate and apply critical thinking skills to construct knowledge in a connected world.

Our position is that blended learning in adult education is not only about the use of tools and resources. Instead, it’s a way to think about program and curriculum development, including learning design and delivery.

A blended learning approach is one that enhances and extends the application of adult learning principles to meet the changing needs of people learning, working and engaging in 21st-century life.

Learn more about the principles and benefits of blended learning and why we advocate for this approach.

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In a blended approach, learners use digital technology to:

  • Be creative and exploratory.
  • Broaden perspectives and deepen knowledge.
  • Develop communication and problem-solving strategies for a variety of purposes and audiences.
  • Enrich learning by collaborating with peers, experts or community members close by or at a distance.
  • Expand and sustain networks.
  • Curate resources.
  • Engage in critical thinking and reflection.
  • Explore the rights, responsibilities, ethics and opportunities of living, learning and working in a digitally connected world.
  • Work with educators to co-create learning pathways and curriculum.
  • Build self-advocacy skills.

Blended learning at AlphaPlus

What are Synchronous and Asynchronous learning?

Defintions: Designing blended learning often includes choosing when to use synchronous learning and when to use asynchronous learning for the…

Educator Resources

Blended Learning Collection

Our Position Paper on Blended Learning online and a collection of related resources.

Educator Resources

Blended learning delivery models

These models are the curriculum planning frameworks in action.

Educator Resources

Blended learning curriculum frameworks

The frameworks help us evaluate if the technology is enhancing, extending and/or transforming learning.

Educator Resources

Digital technology for learning website

Frameworks, approaches and theoretical foundations relevant to adult literacy.

Educator Resources

Position Paper on Blended Learning in Adult Education

This position paper describes our understanding of blended learning, its benefits and how adult basic education programs can be (re)conceptualized…

Research

Blended Learning and the Four Cs in LBS

An infographic describing the four Cs of blended learning: creativity, communication, collaboration and using critical thinking skills to construct knowledge…

Educator Resources

What Is Blended Learning?

AlphaPlus staff worked with Audrey Gardner and Matthias Sturm on a paper that describes blended learning in literacy and basic…

Educator Resources

Skills at Work: Guide to Blended Learning

This resource is a guide to using a blended approach to learning. The guide focuses on bringing the best resources,…

Educator Resources

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Other Areas of Work

Access to Technology

Literacy practitioners know that limited access to technology can create insurmountable barriers for lifelong learners in Ontario.

Learn more about the issue of access to technology arrow

Improving the Literacy System

Focusing on people rather than systems acknowledges that relationships are a key component of learning outcomes.

Learn more about a people-first systemarrow