Blended Learning in Higher Education: Framing and Futures

In this concluding chapter of the book, the editors summarize the lessons learned from various case studies and identify key actions for sustainable impact concerning blended learning. The discussion focuses on the myriad issues related to the phenomenon of blended learning. Using the theory of framing, the chapter emphasizes that it is up to individual practitioners and institutions to adopt a particular frame, which will guide them in the implementation of their model of blended learning. In the end, the editors focus on the future of blended learning. While taking a stand that predicting the future of blended learning is difficult, they elude futures using three futures framework (Bell 1997): (i) possible futures—what can or could be, (ii) probable futures—what is likely to be based on current trends, and (iii) preferable futures—what ought to be or what we want to see in the future.