Integrating Blended Learning in Primary Education: Concerns and Considerations

Abstract

With the global impact of Covid-19, the year 2020 has been transformative for all the Education, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Information Technology and other commercial working sectors. Education sector has also been affected in terms of teaching-learning practices, assessment and evaluation aspects. Many traditional pedagogies have been altered and teaching-learning processes have been made flexible keeping in mind the students’ convenience. It requires the physical presence of both teacher and student, with some elements of student control over time, place, path, or pace. While students still attend "brick-and mortar" schools with a teacher present, face-to-face classroom practices are combined with computer-mediated activities regarding content and delivery. Blended learning has been found an effective approach to deliver best teaching practices and utilize maximum potential of students. It is an innovative approach which embraces the advantages of both traditional classroom teaching and ICT supported learning including online and offline learning. The purpose of the research is to explore the possibilities of effective implementation of blended learning in primary school education. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on primary school teachers. The responses were analyzed through thematic content analysis. The blended learning practices have been found very effective to use in teaching and also to enhance students’ interests and curiosity in learning the subject. Teachers posited that the online and offline – both teaching practices in a balanced way, are essential if the curriculum is well designed, keeping in mind the available resources and limitations.