What is Blended Learning? | Definition & Examples
Blended learning—also called “hybrid learning”—is an instructional approach that blends digital or online materials and communications with traditional face-to-face classroom methods.
Blended learning is used in education, professional development, and corporate training.
What is blended learning?
Blended learning combines the traditional classroom experience with digital technology and engagement. Digital components often include extra practice, games, quizzes, tutorials, and videos. Learners may also have access to a “forum” or “social media” where they can engage with their instructor and classmates.
In the past, digital components of blended learning were often delivered via CD-ROM. However, nowadays, these materials are usually delivered via a learning management system (also called an “LMS”) that students access online.
Blended learning models
Blended learning principles can be applied in different ways. Which model is used depends on the learning context and students’ needs.
These are some common blended learning models, along with an example of what each may look like in practice.
| Model name | How the model works | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Rotation | Students rotate between different learning stations, such as online modules, small group discussions, and teacher-led instruction. | A math class where students complete an online quiz, join a group for problem-solving, and discuss their solutions with the teacher. |
| Flex | The majority of instruction happens online, with teachers providing on-site support as needed. | Corporate training programs where employees complete digital courses but can consult trainers for clarifications. |
| Flipped classroom | Students review instructional content online before class and spend classroom time on collaborative projects or problem-solving. | Watching a pre-recorded science lecture at home, then performing experiments in class. |
| Enriched virtual | A primarily online course supplemented by occasional face-to-face sessions. | University programs with weekly online lectures and monthly in-person seminars. |
| A la Carte (also called Self Blend) | Students are able to take both online and face-to-face courses, which gives students more flexibility in their schedules. A La Carte can be useful when schools can’t provide certain options (like Advanced Placement). | A blended high school that doesn’t have the resources to offer Advanced Placement courses, so it lets eligible students take these online. |
| Online Driver | All instruction takes place online, and students work remotely, with face-to-face interactions occurring very infrequently. | A student in a rural area enrolls in an online school for all subjects, meeting with teachers in person only for assessments. |
Benefits of blended learning
Blended learning can afford both educators and students various benefits.
Personalization
Blended learning offers far more opportunities for personalization than the traditional classroom. Students learn differently, and blended learning helps teachers include more diverse materials and activities to engage all learners.
Independent learners will thrive during the online learning portions of the class, while hands-on learners will find that the in-person classes are perfect for their learning path.
Moreover, for students that have learning challenges, blended learning allows them to consume content in formats they can better interpret. For example, a student with dyslexia may find it difficult to read from a textbook but can understand the same content perfectly when it’s presented in a video.
Flexibility
The online components in blended learning allow students to work at their own pace. This means students who work faster don’t get bored, and students who work slower don’t feel embarrassed that they can’t keep up. The flexible nature of blended learning also benefits working professionals or people balancing their education with other responsibilities.
Engagement
Blended learning incorporates a variety of media formats—videos, games, interactive quizzes, and forums—that keep students engaged and motivated. By combining these with in-class activities like debates or group projects, educators can foster a more dynamic and stimulating learning environment.
Improved results
Studies suggest that blended learning can improve academic performance. The dual exposure to content—online and in-person—reinforces learning, while self-paced modules allow students to revisit challenging material. Additionally, in-person sessions can deepen understanding through discussion and practical application.
Skill development
Blended learning equips students with essential 21st-century skills, such as digital literacy, time management, and self-discipline. These are critical for success in both higher education and the workforce, where using technology is the norm and remote collaboration keeps becoming more and more important.
Grammar checkers help students practice the skill of proofreading, and see why it’s necessary; most of us almost always have a few mistakes in any typed document. These tools draw attention to students’ errors, which means hopefully they’ll be aware of those going forward. They can also assist students who may find it difficult to work on a computer as opposed to with traditional handwritten media.
A QuillBot Grammar Check can be used in blended learning environments to check for grammar and spelling errors before submitting written work.
Scalability and accessibility
For institutions, blended learning can reduce costs associated with physical infrastructure while still reaching a large audience. For learners, it can remove geographical and scheduling barriers, making education more accessible to all.
Data-driven insights
Digital tools provide real-time analytics on student performance. Teachers can track progress, identify areas where students are struggling, and intervene early. This data-driven approach ensures that instruction is both proactive and responsive.
Some LMSs even have adaptive AI that analyzes student performance and targets weaknesses with extra lessons or repetition of content containing prior student errors.
If a student regularly misuses “although,” AI in the LMS may feed that student more exercises where “although” features as a way to reinforce this concept.
Efficiency for educators
Teachers can optimize their time by using technology for repetitive tasks like grading quizzes or delivering basic lectures via pre-recorded videos. This frees up classroom time for more meaningful interactions such as problem-solving or mentoring.
For example, if a teacher thinks an essay seems off, they may want to see if it contains plagiarism or to detect AI writing that may have been pasted into the document.
With handwritten or printed papers, this would be very time-consuming. But when content is submitted digitally, a teacher can copy and paste the essay into a Plagiarism Checker or Free AI Checker (like QuillBot’s) and get results in minutes.
Frequently asked questions about blended learning
- What is an LMS in blended learning?
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An LMS in blended learning is a “learning management system.” An LMS is a digital platform that facilitates the integration of face-to-face and online learning experiences.
LMSs most often include features like content management, communication tools (e.g., forums or instant messages), assessment and tracking, and integration with other tools (e.g. Zoom or Google Meet).
When working with LMSs, educators and students can supplement them with other digital tools. For example, QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can help students proofread their work before submitting it.
- What’s the definition of hybrid learning?
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“Hybrid learning” is an educational model that combines in-person classroom instruction with online learning in a coordinated and complementary way. It’s also called blended learning.
Some of the benefits of hybrid learning are personalization, flexibility, engagement, and scalability.
For educators, hybrid learning also streamlines tasks that otherwise would take a lot of time, like grading assignments or putting questionable student work through a Plagiarism Checker.
- What is gamification?
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“Gamification” is the application of game design elements, principles, and techniques in non-game contexts to engage and motivate people to achieve specific goals.
It’s often used in education, especially in blended learning models, where games can easily be integrated into the online components of a course.
QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you turn dry content into gameified content by rewriting it with another tone.
