About the UNESCO funded Blended Learning Project
The UNESCO funded the blended learning project project and there were 5 to 6 workshops under the project. Around 20 staff members (mostly junior level) from Faculty of Arts, attended the workshops. The staff integrated blended learning tools/techniques into their teaching and assessments and reported back what they achieved. Accordingly they documented their experience, including the process they followed, and produced abstracts.
Adoption of Blended Learning Practices at the Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo
Professional development: Train-the-Trainer Programme on Blended Learning
Intended Learning Outcomes:
- To describe what is blended learning and philosophical context
- To identify areas/gaps requiring blended learning
- To Identify required tools and techniques required in applying blended learning concepts
- To design blended learning lessons/activity/materials
- To apply blended learning tools and techniques into course modules/sessions
Programme duration: 17 hrs.
Programme Coordinator: DDPM Dunusinghe
Training Outcome
Training discussed the importance of blended learning, philosophical context that require blended learning incorporation in higher education. These discussions help participants to grasp key elements and concepts in blended learning. Next, the participants were exposed to various examples in which blended learning was integrated. The training also discussed various contexts that require blended learning integration as well. The participants were introduced various tools and techniques including software that could be used in the process of blended learning incorporation. The participants were asked to identify gaps in students’ learning for blended learning integration. The participants were asked to engage in blended learning lesson development on regular basis starting from problem identification, solution development and seeking peers comments. At the final workshops the participants were asked to present their blended learning lessons and provided comments. The final workshop was attended by the Dean of the faculty and heads departments and unit of the faculty.
Reflection Report:
The final workshop, attended by Dean of the faculty and heads of departments/units of the faculty, designed for taking evaluation on lessons developed based on blended learning tools and techniques (presentations are attached). The participants commented on the lessons developed. A number of issues were discussed and required feeds backs were given. The dean o f the faculty and the heads of departments/units were happy about the progress made by the workshop participants and they clearly identified the importance of introducing required resources for blended learning integration and training for the staff and students in using blended learning in future.
