Blended Learning as an educational modality at universities in Latin America: analysis and perspectives on development

Abstract

A distinctive feature of the Information Society is the large presence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in educational processes, collaborating with the demand and the satisfaction of user needs, through a diversified access to training offers with no time limit and space. This social-technical process provokes the development of innovations suited to educational conditions at universities in Latin America, using electronic platforms and/or other technology resources (video/audio-conferencing, Internet, etc.), as a support of attendance activities or as a combination of both (Blended Learning or mixed-mode instruction). The mixed-mode instruction, due to its special features, gets several nuances and representations, reflecting a background knowledge that should be shared and systematized as modal of action.

In this sense, this research shows the feasibility, viability and possibilities for application and adaptation of this modality to the different university scenes, by describing the organizational and pedagogical contributions taking educational designs into account. Challenges facing Latin American universities with the aim of recreating these innovations, faced with the prospect of sharing and integrating solutions for the realization of an appropriate training to the requirements of today’s world.