Blended Learning in the Context of Digitalization: New Opportunities and Possible Limitations

In modern conditions, Russian universities are focused on the active introduction of digital technologies in the educational process, the use of various combinations of online and offline learning. The rapid change in the landscape of higher education determines the scientific significance of research on the effectiveness of mixed forms of student learning, including assessments of synchronous and asynchronous modes of online classes. In the course of working on the article, the authors used the results of a questionnaire survey of students (N = 1,107) conducted in June 2021, as well as focus group interviews (N = 23) conducted in May 2023. The purpose of the article is to analyze the perception of the problems and benefits of blended learning. The results of the study showed that students rate synchronous forms of online learning (video conferencing) in real time more highly (compared to watching pre-recorded video content). The advantages of synchronous forms of learning are associated with maintaining stable communications with the teacher and the group during the lesson. The formation of communication links, the ability to maintain a discussion "here and now" combines the advantages of traditional interaction in the classroom and the advantages of remote learning. The results obtained indicate the limits of the total digitalization of education, the need to create conditions for contact work. The students were asked about the effectiveness of transferring traditional forms of conducting classes (a lecture by a teacher/making presentations at a seminar) to an online environment. The students with a low level of self-organization (often distracted, combine work and study) are most critical of traditional pedagogical practices implemented online. Such students tend to blame the low level of their motivation on the ineffectiveness of blended learning. Students with a high level of self-organization highly appreciated the effectiveness of traditional forms of conducting classes online.