“Blended Learning”: Book Review

Blended Learning: Using technology in and beyond the language classroom aims to address the needs of language and other teachers who are interested in using technology in the classroom, but don’t know where to start. For newcomers to edtech this is a boon, since applications are approached from the point of view of complete (if computer literate) beginners.

Blended Learning covers the definition and reasoning behind the use of technology in the classroom and beyond. Chapters are dedicated to the Web as a bank of authentic materials, the use of portable devices, electronic dictionaries, office applications, materials creation and more. The authors wisely address potential pitfalls in an “Opportunities and Issues” section at the end of each chapter, and illustrate possible uses with case studies. A wealth of useful links can also be found in most chapters.

As a close observer and obsessive user of learning technologies, I do have a few criticisms of this book from the edtech aficionado’s point of view. The first involves its nature as an introductory text: this format is a welcome addition to the literature, and makes the text accessible to many educators. Those with more online experience, however, will not find much here that is new, although they may benefit from the case studies and links. My second criticism involves the double-edged sword of rapid technological development. Although published in 2007, much of the information has been outpaced by new developments. The publishers have tried to address this in the accompanying website, but one wonders whether a technophobic target audience would venture that far.

Blended Learning is highly recommended for teachers seeking an introduction to teaching with educational technologies, and will be an asset to a staffroom resource collection. The book may also be of help to teacher trainers focusing on e-learning. Those educators who are already well-versed in using Web 2.0 are probably better off perusing the Web for new ideas, since this is, after all, a text for beginners.

Sharma, P. & Barret, B. (2007). Blended Learning: Using technology in and beyond the language classroom. Oxford: Macmillan.