ABSTRACT
Introduction Blended learning is a term that has been used in recent years to describe activities in learning that in the past have been called flexible learning. The idea of blending learning activities is not particularly new but is attracting more attention because a blended approach seems to be an efficient and effective way forward for many institutions wanting to make better use of information and communication technology (ICT) and e-learning. Most educators will have their learning mater ials in some kind of electronic (digital) format, even if these are only Word files or the occasional PowerPoint slide. However, many also have other digital materials, such as high quality pictures, video or audio clips, and links to useful websites and pages as educational resources. Blending, as its names implies, is a process in which digital resources can be mixed with the range of techniques that are already being used in teaching, such as lectures and seminars, group work or problem-based learning sessions. Educators are usually already familiar and confident with these techniques. The idea of blended learning is to combine the different elements of digital material with existing techniques so that optimum learning opportunities can be provided for learners. The educator needs to ask: how can the technology be used most effectively?1
