An experience on students' participation in blended vs. online styles of learning

Abstract

This work compares two learning experiences developed with different styles during an academic semester in two universities. The objective of the study has been to test the advantages of the blended style of learning, in terms of students' participation and initiative in the learning process, compared with those of pure virtual e-learning. The study shows how information technologies act as an incentive to improve students' participation during traditional classroom-located teaching, but do not help to increase their participation when the learning process is completely virtual and not complemented by regular classes.