Blended Learning Toolkit from edX

This class is designed for teaching and learning professionals, program directors, professors and others interested in implementing digital education programs at their institutions.

It includes both an overview of the recent history of digital education initiatives, suggestions on managing and organizing digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, the planning of digital education projects, class filming, zoom use, and digital class delivery.

This course builds on examples and best practices from Columbia University and peer institutions around the world, and draws on the more than 50 interviews conducted in the research of the Leveling the Learning Curve book project.

It also shares insights and tips from leaders of top digital education programs at leading universities around the world, and includes “From Theory to Practice” interviews with top thinkers from peer institutions such as Stanford, Penn, ASU, Dartmouth, Georgia Tech, UC Berkeley and many others, as well as leaders from the Digital Education divisions of the World Bank, UNDP, and PBS Learning Media.

It also includes excerpts to panel discussions from the "Leveling The Learning Curve" conference, and downloadable tips and guides to help you as you set up your own digital education units at your university or college.

Information covered in this course includes digital education administration, theories of online teaching and learning, and implementation of HyFlex learning classrooms.

It is available to audit in free mode, or you can take this to qualify for “Certificate in Blended Course Design”.

What you'll learn

Through this course, learners will gain insight into the history of online education, including the factors leading to its initial implementation, early years, and evolution. From there, learners will gain access to insider knowledge of digital tools in higher education through exclusive interviews with academics at top universities and innovators in the EdTech industry. Students will also view panel discussions conducted at the "Leveling the Learning Curve" conference, which brought the brightest minds in online education together for discussions on the future of the EdTech industry. Finally, students will learn how to design, implement, and run a online education programs with digital tools through practical guides to creating digital content — including shooting videos and producing flipped classes — as taught by professionals in the field. Students will also have access to supplemental material in the Leveling the Learning Curve book, a guide to online education in the 21st Century. Upon completing the course, students will holistically understand digital tools in online education and how to use them effectively.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Learn the practices and methods of online teaching and learning from top professors and universities

Gain strategies and guidance on effectively managing and implementing digital educational initiatives

Stay current with the evolving landscape of digital education through insights from experts and practitioners

Become equipped to create engaging and impactful digital learning experiences for diverse audiences

Receive guidance on integrating cutting-edge digital tools and technologies into your instructional practice

Explore best practices for designing and managing blended learning environments that seamlessly combine online and offline elements

Reviews summary

Blended learning: practical toolkit for educators

According to learners, the Blended Learning Toolkit is a highly relevant course that provides a strong foundational overview and practical insights for teaching and learning professionals. Students consistently highlight the invaluable expert interviews with leaders from top universities and organizations, finding they bridge theory with actionable strategies. Many praise the comprehensive content, including guides for digital content creation, flipped classrooms, and HyFlex learning implementations. While generally well-received, some feedback suggests that certain technical aspects might be basic for experienced users, and there are occasional mentions of varying video production quality. Overall, it's seen as essential for enhancing online teaching and administrative strategies.

Covers a wide range of topics, though depth varies by section.

"A very informative course covering a wide range of topics in blended learning. I personally found some parts a bit too theoretical and less 'toolkit' practical than I expected."

"While the course aims to be a toolkit, I found it more conceptual than practical in some areas. I was looking for more direct 'how-to' guides for digital content creation beyond the basics."

"Some of the technical aspects related to video production felt a bit basic for someone already familiar with it. I was hoping for more advanced strategies."

Provides actionable strategies for implementing digital education.

"This course is incredibly well-structured and provides practical insights for anyone involved in digital education."

"The material is comprehensive, and the practical guides to creating digital content are invaluable."

"As an educational program director, this course was exactly what I needed. It addresses the administrative challenges and provides actionable strategies."

"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

Offers invaluable perspectives from top educational leaders.

"The interviews with experts were a highlight, offering real-world perspectives. Highly recommend!"

"The interviews with leaders from top universities were inspiring and practical. The HyFlex section was a game-changer."

"I particularly enjoyed the insights from different institutions. The course effectively covers various aspects of digital education."

"The blend of theory and practical advice, coupled with expert interviews, makes it a unique offering."

Some older segments and video quality can feel dated.

"The production quality of some older segments felt a little dated."

"A minor point: some of the video quality varied."

"I appreciated the Columbia University perspective, but some of the video quality varied and could use an update."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Blended Learning Toolkit with these activities:

Review Blended Learning Concepts

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Review the foundational theories and practices of blended learning to enhance your understanding and application within the context of this course.

Browse courses on Blended Learning

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Review core concepts of blended learning
Explore different models and approaches
Identify the advantages and disadvantages of blended learning

Engage in peer review of digital learning materials

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Exchanging feedback and collaborating with peers on digital learning materials will provide you with valuable insights and help you refine your work.

Browse courses on Peer Review

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Join a peer review group.
Provide constructive feedback on others' digital learning materials.
Incorporate feedback into your own digital learning materials.

Design a digital learning plan for a specific topic

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Developing a digital learning plan will allow you to apply the principles and theories learned in this course to a real-world scenario, deepening your understanding of the design and implementation process.

Browse courses on Online Course Design

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Identify the learning objectives for your digital learning plan.
Select appropriate digital learning tools and technologies.
Create a detailed lesson plan for your digital learning plan.

Show all three activities

Career center

Learners who complete Blended Learning Toolkit will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Curriculum Developer

Curriculum Developers take the lead in designing and developing educational programs, instructional materials, and assessments. The Blended Learning Toolkit course can be particularly useful to those who want to become Curriculum Developers specializing in blended learning. The course covers the history of digital education initiatives, management and organization of digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, and planning of digital education projects. This course can help Curriculum Developers build a strong foundation in the field of blended learning, which is increasingly becoming popular in education.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer

Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate instructional materials and programs. The Blended Learning Toolkit course can be helpful to those who want to become Instructional Designers specializing in blended learning. The course covers the history of digital education initiatives, management and organization of digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, and planning of digital education projects. This course can help Instructional Designers build a strong foundation in the field of blended learning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Online Learning Manager

Online Learning Managers oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of online learning programs. The Blended Learning Toolkit course can be a valuable resource for those who want to become Online Learning Managers specializing in blended learning. The course covers the history of digital education initiatives, management and organization of digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, and planning of digital education projects. This course can help Online Learning Managers gain insights into best practices in blended learning and online education.

See salaries and explore the career path for Online Learning Manager

Academic Technology Manager

Academic Technology Managers lead the integration of technology into teaching and learning. The Blended Learning Toolkit course may be useful to those who want to become Academic Technology Managers specializing in blended learning. The course covers the history of digital education initiatives, management and organization of digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, and planning of digital education projects. This course can help Academic Technology Managers build a foundation in blended learning and digital education.

See salaries and explore the career path for Academic Technology Manager

Digital Learning Specialist

Digital Learning Specialists provide support and training to faculty and students on the use of digital tools and technologies in teaching and learning. The Blended Learning Toolkit course can be a valuable resource for those who want to become Digital Learning Specialists specializing in blended learning. The course covers the history of digital education initiatives, management and organization of digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, and planning of digital education projects. This course can help Digital Learning Specialists gain insights into best practices in blended learning and digital education.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Learning Specialist

E-Learning Developer

E-Learning Developers design, develop, and implement online learning courses and programs. The Blended Learning Toolkit course can be a useful resource for those who want to become E-Learning Developers specializing in blended learning. The course covers the history of digital education initiatives, management and organization of digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, and planning of digital education projects. This course can help E-Learning Developers gain insights into best practices in blended learning and online education.

See salaries and explore the career path for E-Learning Developer

Instructional Technology Specialist

Instructional Technology Specialists provide support and training to faculty and students on the use of technology in teaching and learning. The Blended Learning Toolkit course can be helpful to those who want to become Instructional Technology Specialists specializing in blended learning. The course covers the history of digital education initiatives, management and organization of digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, and planning of digital education projects. This course can help Instructional Technology Specialists build a foundation in blended learning and digital education.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Technology Specialist

Learning Technology Manager

Learning Technology Managers oversee the development and implementation of learning technologies and programs. The Blended Learning Toolkit course can be a useful resource for those who want to become Learning Technology Managers specializing in blended learning. The course covers the history of digital education initiatives, management and organization of digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, and planning of digital education projects. This course can help Learning Technology Managers gain insights into best practices in blended learning and digital education.

See salaries and explore the career path for Learning Technology Manager

Online Course Instructor

Online Course Instructors teach online courses and programs. The Blended Learning Toolkit course can be helpful to those who want to become Online Course Instructors specializing in blended learning. The course covers the history of digital education initiatives, management and organization of digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, and planning of digital education projects. This course can help Online Course Instructors build a foundation in blended learning and digital education.

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Educational Technologist

Educational Technologists use their knowledge of technology and education to improve teaching and learning. The Blended Learning Toolkit course may be useful to those who want to become Educational Technologists specializing in blended learning. The course covers the history of digital education initiatives, management and organization of digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, and planning of digital education projects. This course can help Educational Technologists gain insights into best practices in blended learning and digital education.

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Instructional Support Specialist

Instructional Support Specialists provide support to faculty and students in the use of technology for teaching and learning. The Blended Learning Toolkit course may be useful to those who want to become Instructional Support Specialists specializing in blended learning. The course covers the history of digital education initiatives, management and organization of digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, and planning of digital education projects. This course can help Instructional Support Specialists build a foundation in blended learning and digital education.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Support Specialist

Program Manager

Program Managers oversee the development and implementation of programs and projects. The Blended Learning Toolkit course may be useful to those who want to become Program Managers specializing in blended learning. The course covers the history of digital education initiatives, management and organization of digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, and planning of digital education projects. This course can help Program Managers gain insights into best practices in blended learning and digital education.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct research on various topics, including education and technology. The Blended Learning Toolkit course may be helpful to those who want to become Researchers specializing in blended learning. The course covers the history of digital education initiatives, management and organization of digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, and planning of digital education projects. This course can help Researchers gain insights into best practices in blended learning and digital education.

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Technology Integration Specialist

Technology Integration Specialists help integrate technology into teaching and learning. The Blended Learning Toolkit course may be helpful to those who want to become Technology Integration Specialists specializing in blended learning. The course covers the history of digital education initiatives, management and organization of digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, and planning of digital education projects. This course can help Technology Integration Specialists build a foundation in blended learning and digital education.

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Higher Education Administrator

Higher Education Administrators oversee the administration of higher education institutions. The Blended Learning Toolkit course may be useful to those who want to become Higher Education Administrators specializing in blended learning. The course covers the history of digital education initiatives, management and organization of digital education projects, and guides to the basics of blended learning, backwards course design, and planning of digital education projects. This course can help Higher Education Administrators gain insights into best practices in blended learning and digital education.

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