Blended Learning: A Complementary Approach to Traditional Classroom Education in the Post-COVID-19 Era

This study discovers the growing preference for blended learning approach in educational system in India. Blended mode of learning has become increasingly popular in India, as well as in the world particularly in the post-COVID-19 period. Before that countries like India did not have the mass awareness about such a parallel mode of teaching–learning, though some of the first world nations were already implementing them for a long time. Blended learning integrates online and face-to-face methods, resulting in flexible and personalized learning experience. The current research investigates the determinants of growing popularity of blended learning among the Indian students in the post-COVID-19 era. To understand what makes them choose hybrid approach over traditional in-person classes a pilot survey was conducted with participants aged 18–35 years. The regression analysis finds out that technological proficiency, age and income have positive impact on seamless learning by the students in a blended environment, while students living in rural areas face difficulties in hybrid learning system because of having limited access to stable internet connection, the urban and sub-urban areas with stable internet connection and other facilities do not even want to go back to the traditional system. This present study altogether provides some valuable insights into the factors which initiated the adoption of blended learning as complementary approach to traditional classroom learning system in India in the post-COVID-19 period and paves the way for future research in this field.