Designing rich interactive content for blended learning: A case study from Indonesia

Abstract

Blended learning is a hybrid of traditional face-to-face and different types of online learning services. Blended learning offers synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences that combine the conveniences of online courses while maintaining in-person contact. Blended learning addresses the needs of students who are unable to attend classes entirely, but who nonetheless demand opportunities for personal interaction. The appropriate instructional content design becomes one of the crucial components to support the success of blended learning activities. This study proposed the development and practical use of document-based rich and interactive content in EPUB3 to provide an exciting instructional content model. EPUB3 is a digital publishing standard with prosperous features and flexible implementation that is widely accepted in academic and industry. The EPUB3 digital book content was integrated into a Moodle learning management system to support synchronous and asynchronous blended learning environments. A questionnaire was applied to find out the learners' responses and involved 155 undergraduate students at The State University of Malang, Indonesia. The questionnaire results showed the developed content model was feasible and suitable to be implemented in a blended learning environment. Students seem interested and enthusiastic about being involved in various learning activities that add new experiences.