Blended learning is the incorporation of face-to-face learning in the classroom with online learning concepts. Bringing both concepts together and "blending" them would be the most productive, groundbreaking advancement, we can hope for in the advancement of education and technology working hand-in-hand together to ultimately reach the same end goal: a high quality education for all. .
Traditional Learning vs. Distance Education.
There are two schools of thought when it comes to education. The schools of thought are "Are you for a traditional education?" or "Do you support a more hybrid approach to online learning instead?" Essentially, these are the two camps of this scenario and both advocate that their way of thinking is the right way. Many traditional enthusiasts' advocate for the "college experience" and believe distance-learning takes away from that and as a college student, you are not experiencing everything in terms of being in college and having new experiences before entering the world as an "adult." The counter to that argument is that "the college experience is about much more than learning" (Tabarrok, 2012). Online education will not substitute the two Olympic-sized swimming pools that are within walking distance of campus, the work out centers where health-conscious students spend all their time, coffee shops, or restaurants. Online education is meant merely to enhance learning, but not take away the "college experience" that many students are craving to enjoy. .
At many universities and community colleges, online education will not eliminate the need for traditional learning, but instead complement and enhance the experience as the way learning begins to coincide with living in a technology-driven era. Moreover, it is paramount to remember that only a minority of students enjoy the "college experience.
