Research Article 

Blended Learning and Social Science at the 

secondary school level: A step towards engaged 

classroom 

Deepa ldnani 

Assistant Professor, Department of Education, SPM College 

University of Delhi, New Delhi, 

Email: deepaidnani2000@yahoo.co.in 

Abstract 

Blended Learning is emerging as one of the powerful tools in teaching across the world 

in recent times. The present paper tries to look at varied aspects of blended learning, 

and provide resources which can be used for a social science classroom at second­

ary level in the Indian context. Further, various examples and lesson plans from social 

science are developed to elucidate usage of blended learning in the classroom at the 

secondary level. It is an influential resource for teachers, and helps to enhance student 

engagement and participation. 

Keywords: Blended Learning, Social Science, and lesson plan, pedagogy, technology 

in classroom. 

Introduction 

Blended Learning is an approach that 

combines classroom teaching popularly 

referred to as face- to-face teaching 

with on line methods. It is a model which 

has gained momentum all across the 

world due to its flexibility, adaptability 

and helps one to master skills and aid in 

becoming lifelong learner. In the lecture 

style education, there is a possibility 

that it is passive and does not provides 

much scope for student's interaction or 

engagement; especially in the Indian 

context which are characterised by 

large student strength in the classes. 

Blended learning sessions may be 

synchronous or asynchronous which 

may be customised and can be used 

by students at their own pace. It is an 

intended 'synthesis of face-to-face and 

on line learning experiences' (Garrison & 

1111 

Vaughan, 2008). The greatest advantage 

of blended learning is that the learner 

can be at various places, they may or 

may not be at one place, it aids learning 

and provides flexibility to the learners. 

What is crucial is the accessibility and 

affordability it provides to the learners 

as well as the faculty, to have classes 

with learners from across the country or 

the globe. It is conducive for classroom 

environment to have diverse learners 

as it is helpful for group engagement. 

Graham (2006) said that one of the 

crucial goals of blended learning is 

to advance pedagogy by merging the 

benefits of face-to-face instruction with 

the benefits of computer-mediated 

instruction (Graham, 2006; Horn & 

Staker, 2015).While Garrison and 

Kanuka (2004) put forth that combining 

face-to-face learning with online 

Indian Journal of Educational Technology 

IVolume 3, No. 1, January 2021