Possible Complications with Blended Learning

This blog has been dedicated to investigate and illuminate the positive effects and possibilities of Blended learning. However, for this final post, I'd like to take a different approach. With all things, there are both positive and negative perspectives and I think that to get a truly accurate understand of something, you need to know all the sides.
In the article, "Reflections on the use of blended learning", authors Heinze A. and Procter C. analyze the possible drawbacks of blended learning.
The main drawback of blended learning is identified as its lack of social interaction. Within the traditional classroom, activities and instruction are differentiated to adapt to both independent and collaborative students. With blended learning, a new need arises to motivate students that struggle with independent work. I have actually thought about this myself, though not to the extent indicated in this article. Though I do think that it could be challenging to have students take in a concept completely independently and in an unknown environment, its the same as giving students homework, which is done in a traditional classroom.

The other drawbacks all stem from the barrier that technology could create. These include the possible lack of guidance/ support and system usage issues. First, although videos and programs could be differentiated to meet the needs of various learners, it would be difficult for teachers to provide direct support when a misunderstanding in the content arises. In the traditional classroom, students can simply receive clarification while the information is being presented. However, with imagining

Second, although the same programs could be prescribed to all the students, the actual devices used could have issues, whether it be with internet connectivity or hardware. Also, bugs in the program itself could also arise and they wouldn't be as simple to fix as, for example, mistakes on a power point given in class. Although I do see these as possible problems, I think that varied methods of blended learning would be able to alleviate these complications- specifically a rotation method of blended learning.

I think that any complications that could arise with blended learning are equal to any complication that could also arise with traditional teaching. I think that the best way to combat any of this, which is the same for traditional teaching, would be through adequate training. Either way, teaching is also a learning experience. We can't expect our methods to be perfect the first time. Teaching is about refinement and the understanding that to be better, there must always be room for improvement.

Article: Gaeta, M., Orciuoli, F., & Ritrovato, P. (2009). Advanced ontology management system for personalised e-Learning. Knowledge-Based Systems, 22(4), 292-301.