Teachers in Blended Learning Environments: Case Studies of ICT-Enhanced Blended Learning in Higher Education

This study reports on recent doctoral research focused on six academic staff working in early blended learning environments in campus-based contexts at a large Australian university. The case-based research reports on how information and communications technology (ICT) was used by each of these staff, all early adopters of new technologies, to enhance their face-to-face teaching, and how this use contributed to an understanding of blended learning in higher education. Across the cases, seven dimensions of blended learning environments were identified ¿ a significant finding of this study. Overall, the study enhances understanding of the nature, purpose and scope of early blended learning approaches in a university setting, and highlights the importance of academics' use of resource-based learning to create blended learning environments across a range of courses. The study also establishes reasons why these teachers embraced the use of ICT in their on-campus teaching, and provides insights into how each perceived their teaching role.

Gail is Associate Professor and Manager Teaching & Learning Services at Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia. Her current research interests include how pedagogy, technology and the design of new learning spaces impact on blended learning, and the effectiveness of digital resources for faculty learning about teaching in higher education.