Experiences of applying a blended learning approach to teaching optical communication systems

Blended learning consists of the combination of e-learning and a traditional education approach, and is particularly suitable to the process of transitioning towards e-learning from traditional forms of learning and teaching. This paper describes the use of the blended learning model in a course entitled 'Optical Communications', given in the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Brasilia, Brazil. Throughout the article, the authors will analyse technological solutions found for the different segments which make up the implemented teaching/learning environment and the main difficulties they came across in their bid to integrate new interactive technologies into the traditional educational process. Finally, the concrete experience of applying this methodology in the course will be discussed. A survey conducted at the end of the course showed that students were satisfied with the pedagogical approach. Concerning the main elements of the blend and its efficacy, the results indicate an overall positive assessment.