The Concept of Blended Learning in English Language Teaching
Under the patronage of Dr. Abdullah Al-Melhi, the Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Translation, the E-Learning Unit organized a highly informative presentation on "The Concept of Blended Learning in English Language Teaching." Dr. Mohamed Amin Mekheimer delivered an in-depth presentation on the topic, shedding light on its significance and benefits.
During the presentation, Dr. Mekheimer explained that blended learning originally emerged in the business world for corporate training purposes, and later extended its application to higher education. Eventually, it found its place in language teaching and learning. He defined blended learning in English Language Teaching as the integration of face-to-face (F2F) classroom instruction with appropriate technology usage. Responding to the question of why blended learning is necessary, Dr. Mekheimer highlighted that modern learners expect technology to be integrated into their language classes. Blended learning meets these expectations by providing opportunities to cater to diverse learning styles and individual needs. It enhances the learning experience, increases flexibility and access, and offers cost-effective solutions.
To ensure the effectiveness of blended learning in English Language Teaching, Dr. Mekheimer proposed five principles that form a principled learning model. These principles include emphasizing live interaction, facilitating learner choice and self-regulation, providing support and training models, striking a balance between innovation and production, and considering cultural adaptation. He stressed the importance of separating the roles of the teacher and technology, as they are complementary rather than interchangeable. Teachers should adopt a principled approach that best suits their learners' needs, while technology should be used to enhance and complement face-to-face teaching.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Abdulkhaleq Al-Qahtani, the Vice Dean of Academic Development & Quality, praised the presentation and emphasized the need for the proper utilization of technology in education. He highlighted that technology serves as a valuable tool for enhancing the quality of education. Mr. Mohsin Raza Khan, the Supervisor of the E-Learning Unit, expressed that the purpose of the presentation was to discuss the concept of blended learning in English language teaching and share best practices from around the world.
The success of the presentation was made possible by the holistic support provided by Mr. Abdullah Al-Zubain, E-Learning Specialist, Dr. Khaled Mohanna, E-Learning Team Manager, Mr. Jabir Al-Thebi, Dr. Mohammad Asif, Mr. Faisal, Mr. Jawed Ahmed, and Mr. Salahuddin Abdulrab. Their contributions ensured the smooth organization and execution of the event.
