benefits

= Benefits and challenges = **Some benefits**

Vaughn (2007, in Stacey & Gerbic, 2009) found that faculty considered the core benefits of blended learning as:
 * enhanced teacher and student interaction (with reduced f2f contact),
 * increased student engagement,
 * more flexibility, and
 * an environment of continuous improvement.

Other commonly cited benefits are that an enhanced ability to cater for mixed abilities, interests and learning tastes and a heightened ability have more thoughtful and reflective discussions through asynchronous modes.

**Some challenges** The core challenges Vaughn (2007) found replicated other studies, including:
 * additional development and teaching time,
 * professional development needs,
 * concerns about losing control over the course, and
 * negotiating the role of blended learning within a university culture.

Molesworth (2004) comments that one challenge is the students’ increased flexibility to do nothing!!!