IB Learning and Challenges for Blended Learning Course

Challenges Faced by Instructors in Past Blended Learning Courses

Time Management

There is a need to pace and time yourself.  The need to partition the time and move to the next set of content.

Change in our approach to our participant's learning journey:  For blended learning, they have done the prior readings and assignments before meeting with you online. Hence, there is still a presentation, but the key is to discuss, share, and let them ask questions about the work they have completed and are unsure of.

Operating ZOOM Online Training

The video conferencing tool is pretty simple, but the use of breakout rooms and some of the other features can be challenging to some of our instructors.  Discuss with the program admin team if you need a prior "walkthrough" of the features.

Presenting the PowerPoint Slides

It is no longer a straight presentation to the participants (per onsite training), as participants have pre-read the material via articles and blogs and completed assignments (with guidance notes) before attending your course.  The focus is still on the key points presented n the PowerPoint slides, the sharing of challenges and experiences, and most recently, some of the COVID-19 applications.

Lack of Response from Participants During Class

The pre-course work aims to get the participants to present their assignments for discussion.  Ask them to share their assignment during the workshop via "Share Screen." This helps break the one-way teaching-only mode by the instructor.

Unable to Advise Participants on Assignment

When you are facilitating the workshop, the participants are required to do the necessary preparation before attending your online workshop.  You must be clear on their preparation and advise them when and what to submit. 

An example of such an additional briefing note provided to you for your module is "IB BL-CM-5 Module 2 Assignment Requirement".  Note that some modules are still being constructed.