Blended Learning: An Appropriate Strategy For The Future Development Of An Established International Distance Learning Course

This paper outlines the experiences of the MSc Construction Management [CMDL] programme team at the University of Bath, UK in devising an effective strategy for the future development of an established distance learning programme. The term ‘blended learning ’ in our case represents the combining of IT-based (Web and CD-ROM) delivery and problem-based learning [PBL] strategies with an existing paper-based programme of study. The paper starts by outlining the pedagogical reasons for adopting a blended learning approach and then evaluates the driving forces external to the pure pedagogical aspects that have influenced the developmental ideas. Particular focus in the paper is also given to a discussion on how the courses two emerging markets (Southern Africa and China) are going to be accommodated by the blended learning approach. The paper presents a case study which should be of interest to others running distance learning courses. It acts as an illustration of how distance learning courses need to change and adapt in a rapidly evolving global education market