Blended learning in joint professional military education

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Retter, Lucia

Contributor:

Davies, Huw

Eken, Mattias

Palicka, Ondrej

Language:

English

Place of Publication:

RAND Corporation 2024

Summary:

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the integration of technology and online learning into professional education programmes worldwide, including within Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) environments. This shift towards blended learning, which combines traditional face-to-face instruction with online delivery methods, has gained traction due to its adaptability and efficient use of resources. Blended learning incorporates a variety of online tools, such as videos, discussion forums and assessments, to enhance learning through both synchronous and asynchronous approaches. To explore the implementation and implications of blended learning in professional education, a research study was conducted by RAND Europe and King's College London, focusing on the Command and Staff Academic Provision at the UK Defence Academy. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, including literature reviews, focus groups with ASCS students and consultations with external experts. The research aimed to identify current practices, opportunities, challenges and potential impacts of blended learning in the context of UK JPME. The findings from this study shed light on the benefits and obstacles associated with blended learning approaches, providing valuable insights for enhancing professional military education programmes through the integration of online and face-to-face instructional methods.