A Systems Engineering Approach for Blended Learning Design

Blended learning is an increasingly common mechanism for introducing digital learning technologies to student education. However, despite the many technological advances, approaches to support the adoption of such technologies are less well developed. As a result, early adopters tend to be either technologically savvy enthusiasts who are willing to accept the high costs (primarily time) of implementation, or institutions, such as the Open University in the UK, whose missions focus on distance learning. This limits the wider adoption of such technologies by educators who do not have a strategic imperative to use digital learning or the capability (competency and capacity) to adopt it. This chapter introduces an approach for the design and development of blended learning that builds on ideas behind systems engineering, used in manufacturing industries to manage the design and development of large complex engineered products such as aero-engines and automobiles. The approach is illustrated through a case study in the design and development of a 7.5 ECTS credit module. Benefits include support for effective multi-disciplinary team working (of teams including academics and learning technologists), a systematic approach to module and asset design, and the ability to accommodate multiple stakeholder requirements in the design process.