blended learning: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, technical, academic, corporate training
Quick answer
What does “blended learning” mean?
An educational approach that combines traditional in-person classroom methods with online digital media and activities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An educational approach that combines traditional in-person classroom methods with online digital media and activities.
A hybrid instructional model designed to integrate the best aspects of face-to-face and online learning, allowing for flexibility, personalization, and enhanced student engagement through technology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; both use 'blended learning'. The concept is identical. Spelling follows national conventions (e.g., 'learning centre' vs. 'learning center').
Connotations
Slightly more established in UK further/higher education discourse historically; now universally used in global EdTech.
Frequency
Equally frequent in professional educational and corporate training contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “blended learning” in a Sentence
[institution] uses/implements/adopts blended learning for [subject/course]Blended learning combines [element A] with [element B]A shift/towards blended learningVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blended learning” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The university plans to blend learning across all its faculties.
- We are blending our curriculum to include more online elements.
American English
- The school district decided to blend learning to offer more flexibility.
- They successfully blended the course to accommodate working adults.
adverb
British English
- The course is taught blended, with sessions both on campus and online.
American English
- The class was delivered blended to reach more students.
adjective
British English
- The blended-learning model proved highly effective.
- They attended a blended delivery workshop.
American English
- She enrolled in a blended learning program.
- The company developed a new blended approach.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in corporate training to describe programmes that mix in-person workshops with e-learning modules to upskill employees efficiently.
Academic
The standard term in pedagogy for courses that have scheduled classroom sessions supplemented with mandatory online discussions, lectures, or assignments.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Parents might use it when discussing their child's school schedule which includes days at home with online tasks.
Technical
A precise term in instructional design, referring to a planned integration with specific ratios (e.g., 70% online, 30% face-to-face) and pedagogical rationale.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blended learning”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blended learning”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blended learning”
- Using it to describe any course that simply has a website or uses videos (must involve structured replacement of some seat time). Spelling as 'blended-learning' (hyphenated) is less common as a noun. Confusing it with 'flipped classroom', which is a specific subtype.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Online learning is conducted entirely over the internet. Blended learning specifically mixes online elements with mandatory in-person sessions.
Common activities include watching video lectures, participating in discussion forums, completing interactive quizzes, submitting digital assignments, and collaborative work via shared documents.
A flipped classroom is a popular type of blended learning. Students study new content online (e.g., video lectures) at home, then use classroom time for interactive exercises, projects, and discussion with the teacher.
At a minimum, reliable internet access and a device (computer, tablet) for students. It also requires a Learning Management System (LMS) like Moodle, Canvas, or Blackboard to host materials and activities.
An educational approach that combines traditional in-person classroom methods with online digital media and activities.
Blended learning is usually formal, technical, academic, corporate training in register.
Blended learning: in British English it is pronounced /ˌblendɪd ˈlɜːnɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌblendɪd ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The best of both worlds (often used to describe the benefit of blended learning)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'blended smoothie': you mix solid fruit (face-to-face) with liquid (online content) to create one perfect drink (the learning experience).
Conceptual Metaphor
LEARNING IS A BLEND/CONCOCTION (mixing ingredients for optimal result), EDUCATION IS A FLEXIBLE PATH (not a single fixed route).
Practice
Quiz
What is the key defining feature of blended learning?