• Educational Technology International
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.101-126
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate current practices in blended instruction. In particular, the study explored (1) the types of instructional delivery methods, technologies, and instructional components, (2) the reasons why faculty apply blend instruction, and (3) the advantages and challenges in delivering blended instruction. This study focused on the practices in the Universities that have the extensive doctoral research programs classified by the Carnegie Foundations. The survey was performed with the sample of faculty from 30 universities and the survey data included 133 faculties out of the total 1,000 randomly selected faculty members. Of the 133 responses, 111 (77.7%) participants had certain degree of experience, while 17 faculty (or instructors) (13.3%) did not have any practice with blended instruction. The most common instructional delivery format in the participating universities was blended instruction that added supplementary online instructional components in the class. Online Course Management Systems (CMS) and multimedia presentation tools were common technology for course delivery, and "discussion" was the most general instructional activity for the class. The participating faculty often preferred the blended format since it provides students and faculty with convenience, flexibility, active engagement, efficiency in using resource materials, and a feeling of connection between/among students and instructor. Benefits to the class were availability of more authentic experience and diverse curricular materials, and the instructional format that meets the needs of remediation and enhancement of students. This study addressed not only advantages and challenges of blended instruction, but also suggestions based on the comments by the participating faculty.

• Educational Technology International
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.47-70
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• 2011

The purpose of this paper was to develop evaluation procedures for blended instruction, focusing on the courses that are currently offered in the university. This study analyzed current evaluation procedures and instruments and suggested redesign the evaluation process for blended instruction. The evaluation procedures are designed based on the combination of objective-oriented and consumer-oriented evaluation approaches. It includes three stages: front-end (screening), formative evaluation, and summative evaluation. During the front-end evaluation stage, information regarding students' technology skills and attitudes towards online instruction and classroom instruction are suggested to collect and plan the instructional strategies accordingly. The formative evaluation is conducted during the semester to collect students' opinions about the course and instructors modify their instruction based on the evaluation results. At the end of semester, summative evaluation is to be conducted to collect the data to improve the course. Evaluation questions and components for each stage are developed to collect the data such as students' perceptions of the course, the usefulness of online instructional materials, the effectiveness of blended learning strategies, and students' satisfaction with the course.