Ensuring the Quality of Blended Learning—A Case Study of the Teaching Evaluation Program by the UK Office for Students
The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed the rapid expansion of blended learning within global higher education,while also exposing several issues to its implementation across universities.In response to concerns about suboptimal blended learning experiences reported in the 2021 UK National Student Survey,the Office for Students(OfS)conducted an evaluation of blended learning practices at six universities in England in 2022.Conducted within the framework of the Teaching Excellence Framework(TEF),this evaluation emphasized key principles such as student-centered learning,marketization,risk analysis,and the inclusion of diverse stakeholder perspectives.The findings indicated that,while universities had effectively mobilized resources to sustain blended learning during the pandemic,both faculty and students demonstrated a limited understanding of its core principles,often conflating it with fully online learning.Moreover,the shift to blended learning exacerbated existing issues such as student isolation,academic overload,and insufficient feedback.Consequently,the OfS recommended that universities improve the clarity of information provided about blended learning,investigate its core principles,and offer strategies for its effective implementation.These strategies include optimizing the balance between in-person and online components,tailoring approaches to specific disciplines,enhancing feedback mechanisms,and developing robust online learning strategies.
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