BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING BLENDED LEARNING: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Keywords:
Benefits, challenges, blended learning, secondary schools, higher educationAbstract
This study aims to explore the key benefits of blended learning in educational institutions and the challenges educators/teachers and students face in the implementation of blended learning. With the use of a systematic literature review, 25 research papers were synthesized. To ensure a rigorous selection of relevant research studies on the topic while remaining flexible to include diverse views, this study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework across multiple databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, and Mendeley. The research revealed that blended learning benefits students in a few different ways, e.g., increased autonomy, greater flexibility, inclusivity, support for diverse learning styles, and development of transferrable skills. There are also some challenges that both students and teachers still have to face. Internally, students are faced with distractions, especially from social media, and feelings of isolation, while teachers deal with resistance to change, low self-confidence, and increased workload. Externally, there is still a technological divide between rural and urban areas, a lack of teachers’ involvement in the decision-making process, and a lack of clear policies and strategic direction within educational institutions.
References
Abel V. Alvarez, J. (2020 ). Learning from the problems and challenges in blended learning: Basis for faculty development and program enhancement . Asian Journal of Distance Education .
Ahmed, M. S., Soltani, A., Zahra, D., Allouch, S., Saady, R. M., Nasr, A., . . . Ali, K. (2025). Remote online learning reimagined: perceptions and experiences of medical students in a post-pandemic world. BMC Medical Education.
Ali, R. (2021). How challenging? Barriers for teachers in institutional implementation of blended learning. Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning .
Bailey, D. R., Almusharraf, N., & Almusharraf, A. (2022). Video conferencing in the e-learning context: explaining learning outcome with the technology acceptance model. Springer , 7679–7698.
Basque, J., & Pudelko, B. (2010). Exploring the potential of blended learning to promote retention and achievement in higher education professional study programs. International Conference on Information Technology Based Higher Education and Training, ITHET.
Basri, H. (2024). The Effectiveness of Blended Learning, Digital Literacy Programs, and Teacher Training on Student Outcomes in 2024. GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH .
Bates, A. W. (2019). Teaching in a Digital Age: Guidelines for Designing Teaching and Learning. Victoria: BCcampus.
Davoody, N., Stathakarou, N., Swain, C., & Bonacina, S. (2025). Exploring the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Learning Experience, Mental Health, Adaptability, and Resilience Among Health Informatics Master’s Students: Focus Group Study. JMIR Publication .
Dewi, R. A., & Fatkhiyani, K. (2021). Blended Learning: Can It Be a Solution to Improve Digital Literacy and HOTS for PGSD Students in a Pandemic Situation? International Journal of Elementary Education.
Dziuban, C., Graham, C. R., Moskal, P. D., Norberg, A., & Sicilia, N. (2018). Blended learning: the new normal and emerging technologies. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education.
Fadde, P. J., & Vu, P. (2023). Blended Online Learning: Benefits, Challenges, and Misconceptions .
Fan, S., Trimble, A., Kember, D., Muir, T., Douglas, T., Wang, Y., . . . Mainsbridge, C. (2023). Supporting engagement and retention of online and blended-learning students: A qualitative study from an Australian University. Springer Nature Link , 403–421.
Fatima, N., & Chibb, M. (2023). Blended Learning- Advantages and Challenges. International Journal of All Research Education and Scientific Methods (IJARESM).
Franks, P. (2010). Blended Learning: What is it? How does it impact student retention and performance? Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).
Garrison, R., & Vaughan, N. D. (2008). Blended Learning in Higher Education: Framework, Principles, and Guidelines. Calgary .
Gulati, C. K., Shastri, D. G., & Patil, M. S. (2024). Challenges in Implementation of Blended learning in online mode of Higher Education: An Empirical Study from Consumers' Perspective. Journal of Informatics Education and Research, 568-574.
Halverson, L. R., & Graham, C. R. (2019 ). Learner Engagement in Blended Learning Environments: A Conceptual Framework. Online Learning Journal.
Halverson, L. R., Graham, C. R., Spring, K. J., & J. S. Drysdale. (2017). An Analysis of Research Trends in Dissertations and Theses Studying Blended Learning. The Internet and Higher Education, 68–79.
Haque, S. I. (2024). Investigating The impact of Blending Learning on Student Outcomes in Modern Education. Educational Administration Theory and Practice journal.
Hesse, L. (2017). The effects of blended learning on K-12th grade students. Open Access Graduate Research Paper.
Hill, J., & Smith, K. (2023). Visions of Blended Learning: Identifying the Challenges and Opportunities in Shaping Institutional Approaches to Blended Learning in Higher Education. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 289-303.
Jeffrey, L. M., Milne, J., & Suddaby, G. (2014 ). Blended Learning: How Teachers Balance the Blend of Online and Classroom Components . Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 121-140.
Joshi, D., Sridhar, Zalte, S. M., & K, R. J. (2023). The Impact of Blended Learning on Student Engagement in the Digital Era. European Chemical Bulletin.
Joshi, S., & Khan, N. (2024). A Review of Existing Blended Learning Models in Higher Education. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND ANALYTICAL REVIEWS, 140-149.
K., S. K., & Maskari, A. A. (2018). Student engagement in blended learning instructional design: an analytical study. Learning and Teaching in Higher Education Gulf Perspectives.
Kaban, A. L., Yatağanbaba, E., Kokoç, M., & Çobanoğlu, A. A. (2024). TEACHERS' READINESS FOR BLENDED LEARNING,THEIR REASONS, CHALLENGES, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR PRACTISING BLENDED LEARNING. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 157-173.
Kanwal, A., Zahid, A., & Afzal, A. (2023). Investigating the Benefits and Challenges of Blended Learning Approaches at the University Level . Qlantic Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities , 76 – 89.
Kömür, İ. A., Kılınç, H., & Okur, M. R. ( 2023). The Rotation Model in Blended Learning. Asian Journal of Distance Education .
Kumi-Yeboah, A. ( 2014). Blended and Online Learning in Virtual K-12 Schools. IGI Global.
Kyei-Akuoko, C., Mensah, R. O., Kuusongno, D. D., Yalley, C. E., & Amponsah, K. D. ( 2024). Evaluation of blended learning: challenges, academic performance shifts, and the pros and cons in a selected Technical University. Cogent Arts & Humanities.
Li, L. (2022 ). Students’ Isolation Challenges in Blended EFL Learning During COVID-19: How Can Social Presence and Interaction Help Develop Sense of Community? PUBMED.
Lobos, K., Cobo-Rendon, R., Jofré, D. B., & Santana, J. (2024). New challenges for higher education: self-regulated learning in blended learning contexts. Frontiers in Education.
López-Pérez, M. V., Pérez-López, M. C., & Rodríguez-Ariza, L. (2011). Blended learning in higher education: Students’ perceptions and their relation to outcomes. Computers & Education, 818-826.
Lv, A., Ouyang, G., Huang, Y., Chen, Y., & Xie, H. (2024). RLGNet: Repeating-Local-Global History Network for Temporal Knowledge Graph Reasoning. School of Computer Science and Information Security, Guilin University Of Electronic Technology.
Ma’arop, A. H., & Embi, M. A. (2016 ). Implementation of Blended Learning in Higher Learning Institutions: A Review of the Literature. International Education Studies.
Martin, A., & Grudziecki, J. (2015). DigEuLit: Concepts and Tools for Digital Literacy Development. Innovation in Teaching and Learning in Information and Computer Sciences , 249-267 .
McCarthy, S., & Palmer, E. (2023). Defining an effective approach to blended learning in higher education: A systematic review. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 2023.
Means, B., Toyama, Y., Murphy, R., Bakia, M., & Jones, K. (2010 ). Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies. U.S. Department of Education.
Messaoudi, M. E. (2024 ). The Impact of a Blended Learning Model on Undergraduate University Students' Digital Literacy Skills: Empirical Evidence from Higher Education . Educational Process: International Journal, 2564-8020.
Mishra, S. (2024). Blended Learning in the 21st Century: A New Era in Education . BHARATI INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT .
Moreira, F. P., & Lima, D. A. (2024). Systematic literature review on the impact of Blended Learning in promoting student engagement and autonomy: findings and recommendations. Brazilian Journal of Computers in Education.
Muhria, L., Supriatna, N., & Nurfirdaus, N. (2023). Students' Challenges of Blended Learning Model in Higher Education. Journal Corner of Education, Linguistics,and Literature, 223-233.
Muso, N. E. (2025). Impact of COVID-19 on rural education: the case of Tilipulo and its regional. SCT Proceedings in Interdisciplinary Insights and Innovations.
N., D. (2024). HOLISTIC AND OUTCOME -BASED PARADIGM IN EDUCATION. Shanlax Publications.
Namyssova, G., Tussupbekova, G., Helmer, J., Malone, K., Afzal, M., & Jonbekova, D. (2019). Challenges and Benefits of Blended Learning in Higher Education . International Journal of Technology in Education (IJTE), 22-31.
Nguyen, T. N., Philipsen, B., Muls, J., Wang, R., & Lombaerts, K. (2020). Motivation and Barriers for University Teachers to Apply Blended Learning in Language Classes . Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
Peev, I., Lia, P., Morales, L., & Todorov, T. (2025). Pedagogy 5.0 - TECHNOLOGIES AND TECHNIQUES TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION IN THE ACADEMIC SPHERE Volume I. TECHNOLOGY TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOFIA.
Pei, L., Poortman, C., Schildkamp, K., & Benes, N. (2024). Professional development for promoting a sense of community in blended learning. Professional Development in Education.
Puniatmaja, G. A., Parwati, N. N., Tegeh, I. M., & Sudatha, I. G. (2024). The Effect of E-learning and Students’ Digital Literacy towards Their Learning Outcomes. Pegem Journal of Education and Instruction.
Saboowala, R., & Mishra, P. M. (2021). Readiness of In-service Teachers Toward a Blended Learning Approach as a Learning Pedagogy in the Post-COVID-19 Era. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 9–23.
Sareen, S., & Mandal, S. (2024). Challenges of blended learning in higher education across global north-south: A systematic and integrative literature review. Social Sciences & Humanities Open.
Seghier, M. E., Truong, T. T., Feiler, C., & Höche, D. (2025). A hybrid deep learning model for predicting atmospheric corrosion in steel energy structures under maritime conditions based on time-series data. Results in Engineering.
Shah, S., Mahboob, U., Junaid, S. M., Siddiqui, S., Jamil, B., & Rehman, S. (2024). Challenges faced by teachers of postgraduate health professions blended learning programs: a qualitative analysis. PubMed .
Shahzadi, A., Ijaz, M. M., & Yousuf, M. (2021 ). Digital Literacy: An Insight Into Precondition For Blended Learning. Webology.
Sibarani, D. P., Cendana, W., & Anggraeni, C. K. (2025). Teachers' Perceptions and Readiness for AI-Based Virtual Assistants in Supporting Schools' Learning Transformation. Journal of Practice Learning and Educational Development (JPLED).
Srivastava, P. (2023). Blended Learning: Issues and Challenges Related to Indian Higher Education System. TIJER, 234-244.
Tabassum, B., Moin, M., Abbas, Q., & Kumbhar, M. I. (2024). THE IMPACT OF BLENDED LEARNING ON STUDENT PERFORMANCE . Journal of Education and Social Studies.
Vaughan, N. D. (2014). Student Engagement and Blended Learning: Making the Assessment Connection. Education Sciences, 247–264.
Zhao, S., & Song, J. (2021). What kind of support do teachers really need in a blended. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology.
