To direct m-game to be a possible didactic option for Iranian TVT (Technical Vocational Training) trainees, in this study m-game-mediated (Mobile Game-Mediated) materials delivery was incorporated into the conventional teaching method in the blended ESP reading skill platform. So, 52 male trainees fromTechnical and Vocational College of Isfahan were selected by convenience sampling. Afterwards, 48 trainees were defined as homogeneous using Englishtag Test to learn ESP in 16 triads under two different blended learning scenarios in 18 sessions in the academic year 2014-2015. While the first group of the trainees practiced in the blended learning situation with ready-made displaying device and materials, the second-group trainees practiced the same content through the medium of their own self-made PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and materials; in this way, their learning performance assessed continuously in and outside the classroom. To employ tree-prong approach, interest survey and focus-group interview were embraced, as well. Overall, descriptive and inferential analyses of the collected data disclosed that trainees who were involved in the process of materials development were more excited and learned more than their counterparts who practiced via prefabricated devices and materials. Consequently, self-made (vs. prefabricated) m-game-mediated blended platform was found to be more liable to teaching and learning ESP reading skill.
The present investigation sought to explore the relationship between learning styles and writing behaviors of EFL learners in a blended environment. It also aimed to identify the learning style types best predicting writing behaviors. Initially, the participants' preferred learning styles were identified through the Kolb’s learning style inventory (Kolb, 1984). Secondly, data were obtained through analyzing the Stat counter and Input log data to reveal the pausing, revising and switching behaviors of the participants who attended a writing course in which they developed their writing texts using an online module. The results indicated a negative and significant correlation between the accommodator learning style and the revision behavior. A statistically significant and positive relationship was also found between the converger learning style and the pausing behavior, and between the converger learning style and the revision behavior Furthermore, a positive and significant relationship between the accommodator learning style and the switching behavior was revealed. The accommodator learning style was found as the best predictor for the switching behavior and the converger learning style turned to predict the revision and pausing behavior at an optimal level. The findings suggest that internal factors, cognitive and learning styles, play a significant role in the learning behaviors of English writing learners. The results encourage writing educators to take into account students’ learning style and provide more flexible and rigorous learning environment in which all learners can take benefit.
The general aim of the present research was to identify and prioritize the components of blended learning in elementary schools. This mixed-method research is of sequential exploratory type. In the qualitative stage, the content analysis method was used while in the quantitative stage, the descriptive survey was applied. Participants of the qualitative part were professors of educational sciences, fifteen of whom were selected for interview in a targeted manner. In vivo, coding was used for data analysis. Finally over 150 indicators and 6 main components (1- tools, 2- contents, 3- teaching method, 4-design, 5-evaluation, and 6- learning theories) were achieved. The research community of the quantitative part included all headmasters and head teachers, experts, and teachers of elementary schools in west Islamabad, in 2017-2018 academic year. Out of 650 individuals, 242 individual were selected through a stratified random sampling method with Morgan table. A questionnaire was designed and distributed based on the findings whose face validity was confirmed by the professors with the reliability of 0.87. For descriptive analysis, the central and dispersion parameters were used, and for inferential analysis, the Smirnov test, Friedman test were applied using SPSS & LISREL. In addition to confirming and explaining the components, the findings showed that the internal correlation between the six components of the blended learning education is positive and meaningful, meaning that the application and promotion of each component in a combination allows the application, enhancement and strengthening of the other components.
The present study was intended to investigate the impact of blended and classroom teaching methods on Iranian EFL learners’ writing. To this end, a group of 29 upper intermediate and advanced EFL learners were randomly placed in two groups: an experimental group, namely Blended Learning and a control group, namely Classroom Learning after taking part in a placement test. Participants of the Blended Learning group received traditional teaching methods of writing plus learning through the web. Participants of the Classroom Learning group, however, were taught based on the traditional teaching methods of writing and received the materials, instructions, and feedback merely through traditional methods. In order to collect the data, participants’ first piece of writing was regarded as the pretest and their last one was the posttest. The results of the independent-samples t-tests showed that participants of the Blended Learning group significantly outperformed the ones in the Classroom Learning group in their writing performances. In conclusion, the results of the study revealed that employing a blended teaching method can create a more desirable condition to enhance the EFL learners’ writing performance and that doing research in this field can be a promising area for those interested.
The present study investigated the effect of blended online and face-to-face instruction on the use of reading strategies by Iranian EFL learners. Out of 100 pre-selected learners, 60 homogeneous participants were identified as intermediate, according to their scores on the Oxford Placement Test. The participants were assigned to experimental (n=30) and control (n=30) groups. Then, a pretest was administered to assess participants’ current knowledge of reading comprehension. Both groups received a 7-session reading instruction. Whereas the experimental group was subjected to blended online environment where they could take advantage of Nicenet platform, the participants in the control group received materials, instruction and feedback through traditional methods in the classroom. After the experiment, the participants were required to take a reading comprehension test similar pretest as the post-test. In order to compare the frequency of reading strategy use by the experimental and control groups, the participants in the two groups were asked to fill out the Reading Strategies Questionnaire both before and after the experiment. The results of t-test between pre- and post-test showed that there is a significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in using the reading strategies.The findings of this study could help EFL teachers and syllabus designers gain insights into the processes learners go through when reading.
In an effort to examine EFL students’ and teachers’ perceptions about the role of implementing flipped teaching in the university context, a mixed-method research approach was employed. To this end, 80 male and female Iranian advanced EFL learners majoring in English translation, literature, and English teaching and 204 Iranian EFL instructors were selected. They answered the flipped teaching questionnaires, then ten percent of the participants (8 students and 20 teachers) volunteered for follow-up qualitative data collection procedures (i.e., the interview) to let the researchers produce more profound responses to the related concepts of the study. Then, the data collected from the questionnaires were coded and analyzed. Also, the qualitative analysis of the research was done using the interview transcripts to support the quantitative analysis results of the research. It included content analysis requiring the examination of the participations' interviews transcripts. The findings of the quantitative part revealed that a majority of students held positive perceptions about engagement, effectiveness, attitudes, and positive affect through flipped instruction constructs in the flipped teaching class. University instructors also had an inclination towards implementing flipped teaching on the whole for the constructs named language improvement, attitudes about flipped instruction, better education through flipped instruction, and difficulty of implementing flipped instruction. The qualitative investigation confirmed the previously-stated results to a great extent in that the EFL students and instructors generally preferred employing flipped teaching and they had positive perceptions about the role of this approach.
Following the recent developments in educational technology-integrated learning, interest in the true implementation of flipped and blended classrooms as innovative approaches has become increasingly popular among language education authorities. This research aimed at comparing flipped, blended, and traditional teaching (T-learning) contexts on Iranian EFL learners’ grammar learning. To this end, 60 intermediate EFL students out of 80, based on their performance in an Oxford Placement Test (OPT), were selected and divided into three groups, including two comparative and one control group, 20 in each. At the beginning of the study, the three groups participated in a pretest to assess their initial ability of grammar knowledge. To integrate technology into their instruction, both comparative groups received the same treatment and materials based on the Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition (SAMR) model. The blended comparative group received instruction in both on-line and T-learning contexts, while the flipped comparative group received instruction in an online context. The control group received instruction in a T-learning context. After the treatment sessions, they participated in a post-test. The findings showed that reading interesting English newspaper articles, both in the blended and flipped classrooms had a statistically significant effect on developing EFL learners' grammar knowledge. The findings of the study may be beneficial for EFL teachers and material developers to reconsider the role of educational technology (Ed Tech) tools to support classroom-based learning.
The main purpose of this study was to find out the effects of synchronous (online) approaches on Iranian EFL learners’ vocabulary development and attitude. To this end, a population of 75 homogeneous students studying in Iranmehr English Language Institute, cooperated as participants. As for the collection of the needed data, a blended learning questionnaire was employed, The collected data were analyzed through one-way ANOVA and independent-samples t-test. The results displayed that there was a significant difference between synchronous and conventional methods of learning vocabulary in reading context. They also revealed that synchronous approach provided the learners with a chance to get the teachers’ feedback immediately, and take part in learning and self-monitoring process of their progress actively. The results also indicated that students and teachers view synchronous approaches as more effective than the conventional approach, and thus can assist language teachers to make a more creative learning atmosphere and ease the learning processes in terms of vocabulary retention and use.
The main purpose of this research is to explore various countries experiences about developing blended learning system in distance education universities. Blended learning, as a third wave in developing learning environment, has become commonplace after the resident and e-learning environments in universities. The goal of this movement is improving learning qualities, extending the boundaries of education and decreasing educational costs. In this study, a qualitative approach and a comparative method were used. The qualitative method was used to understand the social contexts of distance education universities and comparative approach was applied to compare universities in terms of observable categories. Among 17 distance mega universities in the world, four universities, including Indirah Gandhi National Open University in India, Anadulu Open University in Turkey, Open University of China ( OUC) , and Alberta Open University in Canada were selected using purposeful sampling. The data collecting tool consisted of a checklist that was prepared with emphasis on 10 categories of social and cultural features of the countries including general situation of public and higher education, distance education, policies related to blended learning, learning management system, content development and presenting method, learning activities and resources, support system, interaction systems, teaching and assessment method, and evaluation system of learning quality. The required data were also collected through note taking procedure from sites of universities and related articles and books. For data collection and analysis, George Brody's four-step method ( Description, Interpretation, Proximity, and Comparison) was used . At first, required data was gathered from articles, university web sites, and interaction with informed people through note taking. Next, data were interpreted after continuous review with regard to university social and cultural contexts. In the third stage, data was organized and categorized based on similarity and differences and then were compared. Results showed that each four universities uses British open university framework in organizational structure. Each university included blending learning in their system based on their polices. Along with self-learning textual content, the universities started providing electronic content and designing learning activates with using ICT possibilities, while the Athabasca University emphasizes on individual and group learning activities. In each four universities, using educational TV as a learning aid is common place. Support services system in each university is Commensurate with social and cultural conditions. Online synchronous and asynchronous teaching is part of teaching activities in each university, but its quality is different. Learning assessment in different in four universities, but formative and summative evaluations are emphasized in all universities. Quality assurance system in Athabasca and OUC is based on PLAR, in Anadolu University based on the Bologna scheme, and in Indirah Gandhi, based on Council of Higher Education. In this research, for developing blended learning in Payame Noor University, a framework is provided at the end.
The purpose of the present research was to conduct a meta-analysis of Iranian studies on blended learning and academic achievement. As the third generation of distance education, blended learning integrates the strengths of face-to-face and online approaches. The methodology involved estimating the effect size for the relationship between blended learning and academic achievement. Out of 231 studies conducted between 2010 and 2017, 20experimental and quasi-experimental studies were selected as the sample using purposive sampling based on 9eligibility criteria. Data were analyzed using structured meta-analysis and were interpreted using Cohen’s for gauging small, medium, and large effect sizes. The results showed that the relationship between blended learning and academic achievement is significant, as the effect size for this relationship was 0.591, which is above medium in Cohen’s approach. Overall, the findings suggest the real positive effects of blended learning on learning outcome.
In the last decade, the tendency to use Blended learning across the globe has grown steadily due to its benefits and attributes, and to address the weaknesses of e-learning and face-to-face Instruction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Blended Learning based on Gardner's multiple intelligences on students' learning and to compare it with the face-to-face approach. The study population included all students enrolled in Tehran Farhangian University of Primary Education. This quasi-experimental study was carried out with pretest-posttest with a control group in the academic year of 2016-2017. A total of 40 female college students participated in this study. They were selected by the available sampling method and randomly divided into two groups. Data collecting tools was a questionnaire of multiple intelligence profiles with 80 items, a questionnaire measuring the level of learning by comparing pre and post-test. Both experimental and control groups trained in eight 90-minute sessions. The control group was taught using face-to-face traditional Instruction and the experimental group along with Blended learning and network-based learning, went under Blended Instruction based on multiple intelligences using articulate engage software with educational media (text, audio, image, animation and video). To design learning activities, learners were grouped according to their predominant intelligence, which was measured through the multiple intelligence profile. In both groups, the pre-test and post-test were the same academic achievement. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 19 software. Findings of the research indicate that the level of students' learning in the experimental group has significantly increased in comparison with the control group after having participated in the Blended Learning based on multiple intelligences
Years after the first coinage of the term blended or hybrid learning, this mode of learning and its related courses and programs are still widely underexplored in the context of CALL teacher education. In an attempt to shed more light into this research base, the present case study focuses on the potentials of collaborative learning experiences in a blended teacher education course for developing English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ pedagogical knowledge of CALL. Five female Iranian EFL teachers participated in the study and were engaged in different types of classroom collaborative discussions and tasks. An analysis of in-class collaborative tasks revealed that collaboration in online and face-to-face learning contexts significantly contributed to the development of different aspects of teachers’ knowledge of CALL integration.
This study aimed to identify effective factors to the development of blended learning from the perspective of faculty members of PNU. For this purpose, after the study of contemporary research findings, effective factors to the development of blended learning were divided in five groups of structural, planning, information systems, nature and workplace and support factors for each of these components were determined. In order to assess the effective factors to the development of blended learning from the perspective of faculty members, a researcher-made questionnaire was designed. The questionnaire was with 40 questions using a Likert scale. Its validity was confirmed through content validity and its reliability through Cornbrash's alpha (α=91%). After determining the sample size using Morgan table by simple random sampling, questionnaires were distributed to faculty members. The research findings were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. To analyze the data, SPSS and LISREL softwares were employed. Results indicate that among the identified factors, the most important and influential factors to the development of blended learning from the perspective of administrators was related to structural factors.
Purpose: Epistemology as one of the philosophical foundations in the field of education can play an important role in blended learning, ie using more than one method, strategy and technique for learning. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of designing and validation the epistemological model in blended learning Methodology: The present study was applied from type of qualitative-quantitative. The population of the qualitative section was the documents related to epistemology and blended learning in the years 1990 to 2020 which 80 books, 60 dissertations and 60 articles were selected by purposive sampling method and in addition, included experts in the field of philosophy of education and distance learning which based on the principle of theoretical saturation number of 10 people of them were selected by purposive sampling method. The population of the quantitative section were faculty members and doctoral students of the department of philosophy of education and distance learning of Payame Noor University in 2020-2021 years which based on Krejcie and Morgan's table number of 200 people of them were selected by stratified random sampling method with using the teacher and student ratio. The tool of the qualitative section was the recording of books, dissertations and articles and interviews with experts, and the tool of the quantitative section was a researcher-made questionnaire whose psychometric indicators were confirmed. Data were analyzed by coding method in MAXQDA software and exploratory factor analysis and one-sample t-test in SPSS software. Findings: Findings showed that the epistemological model in blended learning had 60 subcategories in 9 categories including purpose, evaluation, educational correction, content, teaching method, teacher, learner, media and cognitive presence that its model was drawn. Also, validation of model indicated that the factor load of all 6 questions related to validation of model was higher than 0.30, their validity was higher than 0.50 and their reliability was higher than 0.70. In addition, the mean of all 6 questions was higher than the hypothetical mean of the population (P<0.001). Conclusion: The findings showed that the designed model for epistemology in blended learning had good validity. Therefore, curriculum specialists and planners can use this model along with other models to improve blended learning
Parallel with the global outbreak of Covid-19 disease in 2020 which widely affected the educational milieu, many institutions of higher education shifted to fully online blended and/or synchronous courses and programs. The extent to which each of these modalities (i.e. fully online blended courses versus online real-time ones) may contribute to language learners’ achievement is largely unknown. Previous studies on blended learning (BL) across various disciplines including foreign language teaching have largely focused on courses featuring a combination of face-to-face and online sessions. This quantitative quasi-experimental study presents an attempt to compare the effectiveness of a fully online blended technical English course with a mix of online synchronous sessions and asynchronous interactive content with that of an online real-time course. The language achievement of 25 university level students attending this online blended course was compared with that of students in an online synchronous course. Drawing on independent and paired sample t-test results obtained from two sets of pre and posttests, it was observed that while both groups performed significantly better in the final language achievement test, students in the fully online synchronous course outperformed those in the blended one. The findings speak to the significance of careful design of online blended courses in terms of session and content delivery along with the essence of increasing peer-to-peer and learner-teacher interaction opportunities to improve the effectiveness of these courses for language learners.
The present study aims at investigating the effectiveness of the blended learnin course on the academic performance of seventh grade students in the field of photography in the art course. The research method is quasi experimental with post-test, pre-test and control group. The statistical population consists of all female students in the 7th grad secondary school in Gonabad city. The research sample was 58 participants selected through available sampling and assigned in two experimental and control groups who were homogeneous based on educational achievement. The experimental group was given instruction in blended learning system and the control group was under traditional teaching style. The pre-test of academic performance in the field of photography in the art course was performed on both experimental and control groups and after 12 instruction sessions in blended learning style to experimental group, the post-test of academic performance in the field of photography in the art course was administered among both groups. The results were analyzed using Covariance Analysis in SPSS software. The findings indicate that the academic performance of experimental group in familiarizing with photography and viewfinder and identifying the best photography angle, in understanding and identifying and working methods of analog and digital cameras, according to the point of emphasis in photography, The method of photography at different times and photography at night and lighting in photography, have been enhanced and there was a significant difference between academic performance of experimental and control groups in the field of photography with a higher achievement of experimental group.
The main goal of the current research was to design a learning model using the characteristic of the structural approach in a blended learning environment in high school. This research is practical and theoretical in terms of purpose, and a qualitative and quantitative sequential mixed research method has been used. To do this research, the first question of the research was answered by studying and reviewing the available texts, documents and written sources and using the literature and research background and scientific sources. To answer the second question, Meyering and Delphi content analysis technique was used. In the first stage, the answer to the second question was obtained by using the qualitative study method, the content analysis technique of Meyering, and the desired components were extracted and used as a complement to the Delphi method. In the second stage, a panel of participants was formed using the snowball sampling technique, and the relevant experts were selected, and after presenting various questionnaires and conducting interviews, the desired components and indicators were selected and confirmed by the experts.Next, to answer the third question of the research, in order to validate the designed model, the Reigeluth questionnaire and Cronbach's alpha were applied to measure its reliability.Also, Kendall's coefficient of concordance was used to determine the level of consensus in the Delphi method. In order to check the content validity, the index model (CVI) was used and to determine its general suitability, (S-CVI) applied, and finally, based on the results and taking into consideration the corrections and suggestions of the professors, the final model was designed and approved.
In regards to the need to use technology in the domain of learning and the important role of principals of educational organizations in implementing the blended learning, this research was carried out with the aim of identifying the parameters of psychological and center skills of principals in implementing the blended learning from quantum paradigm perspectives. The research method was qualitative and of meta-synthesis. Data collection was carried out through reviewing scientific documents and resources relevant to the subject of research in recent 31 years (1990-2021). Therefore; the related key words were searched in the reliable internal and foreign websites and finally, 42 resources were selected for final review. The review was done through studying the resources of the principals’ psychological skills in three dimensions and eleven parameters and center skill in one dimension and three parameters. The results obtained from this research showed that with regards to the identified dimensions and parameters, principals can play roles in implementing the blended learning in educational organizations, from the psychological skills, in quantum seeing dimension, by planning informed and effective leadership and confronting challenges and eliminating obstacles, in quantum thinking dimension via creative thinking, change and comprehensive thinking, in quantum feeling via accountability, supporting individuals’ rights and security, respecting values , caring about needs and talents and utilizing the process of information and from center skills perspectives and quantum being dimension, via establishing an appropriate learning atmosphere, establishing effective communication and creating a resilient and network-centric structure.
For years, virtual learning has been proposed as a dominant approach to overcome the limitations of traditional education. The spread of emerging technologies and the connection of citizens to the Internet has made virtual courses much more accesible than before. As the citizens of the third millennium refer to electronic shopping centers to purchase their goods, they expect to receive the instruction they require through virtual means. This trend, along with the increasing expectations, has created a gap between the current and the desired situation in the education process. Digital content management is considered as a facilitator to respond to emerging requirements. In this article, while explaining the dimensions of transformation in Virtual learning, the importance of digital content management in improving the effectiveness of virtual learning has been emphasized. The article would be a starting point for further research on the integration of digital content management in the virtual learning process.