Blended Learning in English Language Teaching: Course Design and Implementation

The course components
In 2008 our existing face-to-face DELTA syllabus was adapted to the modular
framework and the nature of Module One changed fundamentally as part of this
metamorphosis. Syllabus topics were distributed into the three Modules so each
could stand alone but they made a complete whole. The course is arranged in ten
blocks which represented the course duration (over the ten weeks part-time or ten
days intensive). One block comprises a) input (face-to-face hours or session notes
with tasks), b) quizzes c) a group project, and d) an individual exam practice task, links
and suggestions for further reading and research. See Appendix 1 for the schedule
for the first few blocks.
Figure 1: The first block in the ten block system
Figure 2: Exam practice in the first block
The online elements component of the course is delivered using the learning
management system virtual learning environment Moodle, which brings a range of
tools such as quizzes, assignment submission, blogs, wikis, forums and chat all under
one roof. We chose Moodle, an open source solution, initially for economic reasons,
but since then it has come to be seen as a valid and credible solution for education
technology (Hill, 2011). Each course has its own Moodle room.
Creating a blended DELTA Module One | 103