Title: Benefits, challenges and strategies of implementing blended learning in tertiary institutes

Authors: Ruo Hui Chan; Choon Lang Quek

Addresses: Temasek Polytechnic, 21 Tampines Ave 1, 529757, Singapore ' National Institute of Education, 1 Nanyang Walk, 637616, Singapore

Abstract: This literature review examines first and foremost the benefits and challenges faced in implementing blended learning (BL) in tertiary institutes. It also reviews the strategies deployed by institutes in implementing blended learning. The reported key benefits were the increased passing rates of learners, decreased drop-out rates from blended learning classes and the mutual beneficiaries between the learners and the institutes. Two challenges reported that were pedagogically related were the increased complexity in the instructions and the lack of institutional support. Strategies used for implementation were varied, ranging from use of change management process to using framework or guidelines, pointing to a need for further research to successful implementation strategies and framework.

Keywords: benefits; blended learning; challenges; implementation strategies; tertiary institutes; instruction complexity; institutional support; change management; tertiary education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMILE.2014.064215

International Journal of Social Media and Interactive Learning Environments, 2014 Vol.2 No.3, pp.285 - 300

Received: 02 Nov 2013
Accepted: 21 Mar 2014

Published online: 30 Aug 2014 *

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