Abstract
The development of information technology has opened a new chapter in the world of education. To meet the learning needs of the 21st century, the use of technology in the field of education has been widely used at all levels of education. Advances in information technology have also created e-learning. E-learning applies information technology to manage the teaching and learning process between teachers and students. The implementation of e-learning in conjunction with traditional learning methods has created a new concept in education which is a blended learning mode. Blended learning is the integration between face-to-face learning and online learning that can make teaching and learning more competitive. This learning method is also referred to as e-learning. Through e-learning, learning can take place anywhere and at any time without limiting physical location.
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Background Study
Today’s dynamic world, the development of science and technology in human life cannot be separated to shape the development of the country and the nation. The evolution of technology has impacted every aspect of our lives. This is an important tool that no one else can avoid. Technology has played a very important role in how people live in the world today and how they communicate in the atmosphere with everything around them. The technological impact is higher than expected. Therefore, people are developing innovations to live a better and standardized life.The field of education is now being impacted by rapid technological progress. As a result, it has given the teaching and learning process a new dimension. Online learning, e-learning, and blended learning are some of the terms that have emerged as a result of this method. However, Many scholars have defined blended learning in their own ways, but the most common characteristic that can be found in their definitions is the ‘combination' exerted by the blended, which refers to a combination of offline (face-to-face, traditional learning) and online learning in such a way that the two complement each other.However, studies on blended learning have come to a variety of conclusions, including both advantages and problems. Blended learning has many benefits including boosting up the effectiveness of education, increased access and convenience, and greater cost-effectiveness (Graham, 2006). However, it has some disadvantages such as inadequate technical accessibility which may result in wasting resources. Technical problems, including poor internet connectivity and high maintenance cost, is yet another concern.
Here, Blended learning is becoming more popular as the age of modern learners and remote working progresses.It all started when Sir Isaac Pitman launches the first distance education course. In 1837, he invented Shorthand and established his training company. They went on to develop a distance learning program that allowed people, anywhere, to learn Shorthand without having to travel to classes. However, distance learning is not the same as blended learning. Instead, it is an early example of the shift in focus where the idea of taking learning out of the traditional classroom and taking it to where the learner is. Blended learning is not a new concept. It originates from corporate training and development in the U.S.A. and is believed to have made its first appearance in the late 1990s (Clark, 2007).
Problem Statement
The problems observed associated with blended learning can be categorized into three: technological, organizational, and instructional design challenges. According to Hofmann (2011), relying too much on technology makes participants did not fully pay attention because it makes blended learning programs appear as ‘trendy’. Another problem is blended learning is not as effective as traditional learning in terms of managing and monitoring participant progress. Participants are attracted to traditional learning because they understand that they can be successful learners. They understand their roles, and what is required as far as behavior, effort, and participation. However, online learning changes these expectations and the safety net are taken away. Managers often don’t realize the effort it takes for a self-directed program to be successful.As a result, this may lead to a failed program. Lastly, attention is often paid to the technology implementation when learning technologies are introduced, while the design of the actual appropriate content is left with too little time and budget to create a successful program. This research is based on the concept of blended learning which consists of a combination of face-to-face learning and online learning conducted using e-Learning integration in Brunei. The process of face-to-face teaching and learning involves classroom learning activities such as lectures, group activities, individual and group assignments, field activities, and assignments.To facilitate understanding of this research concept, a form of the conceptual framework has been developed.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Social Cognitive: Is a sub-topic of social psychology that focuses on how people process, store, and apply information about other people and social situations. It focuses on the role that cognitive processes play in our social interactions. The way we think about others plays a major role in how we think, feel, and interact with the world around us.
Technology Acceptance Model (TAM): Is theory that models how users come to accept and use a technology. The actual system use is the end-point where people use the technology. Behavioral intention is a factor that leads people to use the technology. The behavioral intention (BI) is influenced by the attitude (A) which is the general impression of the technology.
Educational Technology: Is the field of study that investigates the process of analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating the instructional environment, learning materials, learners, and the learning process in order to improve teaching and learning.
Blended Learning: Also known as technology-mediated instruction, web-enhanced instruction, or mixed-mode instruction, is an approach to education that combines online educational materials and opportunities for interaction online with physical place-based classroom methods.
E-Learning Integration: The methodology to integrating all aspects of learning to e-learning system online.
Traditional Learning Paradigms: Is the approaches of learning provided through classical methodologies in class and/or without technology as driver and enabler.
Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB): To predict an individual's intention to engage in a behavior at a specific time and place. The theory was intended to explain all behaviors over which people have the ability to exert self-control. The key component to this model is behavioral intent; behavioral intentions are influenced by the attitude about the likelihood that the behavior will have the expected outcome and the subjective evaluation of the risks and benefits of that outcome.
Self-Directed Program: Self-directed Medicaid services means that participants, or their representatives if applicable, have decision-making authority over certain services and take direct responsibility to manage their services with the assistance of a system of available supports.