Pete Sharma talks about new developments in language teaching and learning in the digital age (Milan 2012)

With at least 32 separate definitions of what blended learning actually is, the average language teacher could be forgiven for a sense of confusion often bordering on bewilderment that often greets the term “Blended Learning”. Hardware (often in the form of interactive whiteboards) has been in the vanguard of the revolution, with virtual learning environments (VLEs) and learning management systems (LMSs) following hot on their heels. Is all of this actually necessary? How much demand is there for all this whizzy hi-tech magic?

Pete Sharma, the world-renowned expert on blended learning, was in Milan recently for the PSA Symposium, hosted by the British Consulate-General. Also speaking at the event were representatives from Little Bridge, a virtual world where children can learn English; Richmond ELT, the forward-looking publisher of both printed and online English language courses; and SMART Technologies, the pioneering designer and manufacturer of interactive whiteboards (IWBs).

You can read a full report of the day’s events on the Milan English blog by business English teacher Robert Dennis:

Pete Sharma rocks Milan (with a little help from his friends): full report from the PSA Symposium, 2012 (Part 1)