Blended learning in initial teacher education: Creating a community of reflective learners

This chapter sets the scene by defining blended learning and examining its benefits for the learner and educator from an international perspective. It proposes elements, supported by literature that could be adopted by third level institutions who wish to implement a blended learning program of study. It briefly examines the role of blended learning in initial teacher education programs internationally. The chapter provides an example of a blended learning model in initial teacher education at Hibernia College in Ireland. It outlines its module on early childhood education, which prepares graduate student teachers to teach children in infant classes in primary schools. By law, children in Ireland must start primary school by the age of 6 years, and they are required to be at least 4 years of age. All preprimary education is optional in Ireland, although every child is entitled to free preschool education, which will be extended from one year to two years beginning September 2018. The chapter supports the idea that the blended learning model can be adopted across all disciplines of higher education, including the field of early childhood teacher education in preparing teachers of children from birth to 8 years. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)