Blended learning is a combination of traditional face-to-face teaching and online learning.

Blended learning implementation options

The online component of a blended learning course MAY be implemented according to one of the following ways:

1. By hours in a week. Example, the traditional course of 3 hours of face-to-face instruction per week for a three-credit course is reduced to 2 hours face-to-face + 1 hour guided online learning.
2. By weeks. Online learning is designed according to the weeks in the semester. Example: 10 weeks of fully face-to-face is followed by 4 weeks of totally online learning.
3. By alternate weeks. Online earning is designed into alternate weeks. Example: 1 week of face-to-face is followed by a week of total online learning and so on.
4. By topics. Topics are chosen to be taught online and the hours are estimated based on the length and depth of the topics.
5. By tasks. Tasks are chosen to be completed online rather than in class. The estimated time to complete is calculated equivalent to student learning time in class.
6. Case by case. Technology is integrated into the classroom. Students are assigned technology-related tasks (the present face-to-face hours are maintained) or by utilizing other models of blended learning such as Flipped Learning or wrapping a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) is encouraged as long as the instruction and learning tasks are carefully designed and student learning time calculated to meet the credit hour requirement.

Credit hours and Student Learning Time for blended learning

Blended learning MUST be implemented in accordance with the credit hours specified for each course:

Course coordinators and e-Learning instructors MUST plan for the online component to fulfil the student learning time necessary for the credit requirement of the course.

1. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement.
2. Malaysian Qualifications Agency: A credit is the total student learning time required to achieve the identified learning outcomes for a particular module at the micro-level and for the programme at the macro level.
3. One credit equals 40 notional hours of student learning time.

The online component of a blended learning course comprises activities such as lectures, projects, problem-based tasks and discussion in general. These can be in the form of watching and comprehending instructional videos, playing a learning game, watching and comprehending animations, completing a simulation, readings, forum discussion, MOOC participation, responding and posting one’s work with peer evaluation, self-assessment, quizzes etc.

Calculation of online student learning time SHOULD be based on the following activities:

1. The time spent in synchronous live instruction. This is equivalent to face-to-face on-location instruction.
2. The average time spent on a screen and the number of screens viewed in the course of online instruction. The average time spent on a “screen” is generally calculated as being between 3-5 minutes per screen.
3. The run-time for required media-based assignments. This must take into account the actual length and the expected multiple viewings of the media (video, audio, animation, simulation) for review and reinforcement of the material.
4. The time required to consume content such as by reading an article, watching a self-paced instructional video, playing an instructional game etc.

Taken from e-learning Guidelines for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions