Integrating information technology into a blended learning environment: A case study at HKIEd

With the rapid development of the Web, blended learning (online learning plus face-to-face learning) has become a model that more and more higher education institutions are exploring or intend to explore. This paper reports on how Information Technology has been integrated into a blended learning environment in the English Department at the Hong Kong Institute of Education since 2003. a number of projects have been carried out over the past six years, focusing on converting traditional face-to-face modules into partly face-to-face, partly online modules, and creating an effective blended learning environment. The Blackboard online learning management system has been adopted as the main platform for carrying out blended learning. Other resources for facilitating blended learning have also been developed, such as a series of subject-specific websites to assist module delivery, online quizzes for students’ self-assessment, and online wikibook projects requiring students to work in groups and write an academic textbook book together online. The blended learning mode has provided alternative learning spaces and increased use of written feedback from both students and staff. Data collected from these various projects and feedback from students and staff suggest that blended learning has been considered highly effective.