Blended learning is well possible and desirable. 

Without the knowledge of methodological and pedagogical skills there is no place in the traditional approach to learning. These skills, at the same time, are the basis for teaching in an online environment.

It is unavoidable to possess competencies for the preparation and implementation of authentic and relevant teaching activities, as well as to adequately assess students’ knowledge in online teaching, which is perhaps the most important (most demanding) segment.

The following forms of interaction have been identified in distance education:

Student-Student interaction (team work, group work),

Student-Content interaction is present in traditional study and e-learning,

Teacher-Teacher interaction, exchange of experience between colleagues,

Teacher-Content Interaction, teachers use modern resources.

Communication between a student and a teacher is supported via synchronous (video or audio) and asynchronous communication (forum).

Content-Content interaction is the latest identified interaction (automatic update and replenishment).  

In order to successfully realize the outcomes, we need to prepare students/pupils for the use of ICT in teaching (which is a particular challenge if it is about older students). This not only implies the use of hardware and software components, but also develops students' creativity, logical thinking and reasoning.

It is the Teacher/Moderator/Trainer/Lecturer/Leader who selects, prepares, designs, develops and models educational online activities and finally plans, monitors, evaluates and assesses learning achievements. A teacher should possess the skills of a pedagogue, as well as of a psychologist and sometimes of a magician, to keep the students' attention from giving up learning. The most common problems that occur in distance learning are the lack of social integration, anti-social behaviour of students, technical shortcomings, and problems and general ignorance of online teaching.

The challenge for a teacher in an online environment is reflected in the way he/she responds to the needs of students, thinking primarily of resources (digital textbooks, scripts, published papers, news, blogs, and platforms for adult education in our country and in Europe, e.g. EPALE).

You can read more stories on the same topic at: https://epale.ec.europa.eu/en/blog/andrijana-pavicevic-community-story-m...