Blended learning: one small step

Abstract

This article describes a blended learning project delivered over 9 weeks to 230 full-time first year undergraduates studying a unit about emerging information technologies. The unit was originally planned on a weekly 1+1 model of 1 hour lecture reinforced by 1 hour tutorial, running for 9 weeks. Summative assessment was designed as individual, face-to-face demonstrations of web pages produced by the students. Holistic redesign of the unit, using web-based learning materials and computer-supported assessment, enabled leaner delivery and assessment, better reinforcing the intended learning outcomes and saving 85 hours of staff time. Principles and assumptions underpinning redesign, delivery and assessment are presented and reviewed from three perspectives: a behavioural perspective, an IT perspective and a resource perspective.