Literature review

We cannot deny that education has been changing significantly. Decades ago, it was required to go to the library to look for information and read encyclopedias, books, and physical magazines. 

 Currently, this is no longer necessary thanks to technology; we have the information in the palm of our hand. However, technology has not been used correctly. We need to effectively include technology and digital learning in schools since even the learning style is based on direct teaching. The teacher gives the information, and the student is the receiver. We cannot waste digital resources to promote learning. Reading is one of the habits that we must encourage in students. There are many strategies to encourage reading, but sometimes it is not enough for some children. So, we will implement a blended learning approach for learners to motivate them to read. 

This literature review aims to create familiarity with constructivism's theory and blended learning models of instruction, analyze the relationship between technology and reading and advantages and challenges of blended-learning model.  

Constructivism’s Theory and Blended Learning 

Constructivism is the theory that says that learners build their knowledge based on what they know, influenced by what surrounds them (Brau. 2018). 

The essence of Lev Vygotsky's approach considers the individual as the result of the historical and social process (First Discoverers, 2021). For Vygotsky, knowledge is an interactive process between the subject and the environment, but the environment is understood as something social and cultural, physical (First Discoverers, 2021). Lev Vygotsky states, "By giving our students practice in talking with others, we give them frames for thinking on their own" (Vygotsky, 2022) 

Piagetian constructivism argues that learning is an internal process through interaction with the environment, hence the importance of providing the child with spaces and resources necessary to promote their learning (Kurt, 2022). Jean Piaget says, "the main goal of education is to create men who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done" (Kidadl Team, 2021). 

 Piaget and Vygotsky agree "the child is actively involved in the learning and development process because they provide feedback to the adult or teacher about their level of understanding" (Hurst, 2021). 

Blended learning has its foundations in the theory of constructivism which Jean Piaget (1952) argues that learning is an internal process, which is carried out through interaction with the environment; “The subject interacts with reality, building his knowledge and, at the same time, his own mind; knowledge is never a copy of reality, it is always a construction” (Piaget, 2020). 

Horn and Staker (2015) define blended learning in three parts first, it is any formal education program in which a student learns at least in part through online learning, with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace, second, it is that the student learns at least in part in a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home and third it is that the modalities along each student’s learning path within a course or subject are connected to provide an integrated learning experience. Also, in their research they found four main models: Rotation (which includes the station Rotation, Lab Rotation, Flipped classroom, and Individual Rotation models), Flex, A La Carte, and Enriched Virtual (Horn& Staker, 2015).  

Technology and Reading 

Reading is a beautiful interactive process in which a critical relationship between the text and the reader contributes to developing the cognitive areas of the brain and emotional development (By Auca Projects Educations, 2018). 

In reading for pleasure, a bond is created between the reader and the book capable of having fun, entertaining, developing the imagination, enriching the vocabulary, discovering new places (National Library of New Zealand). Dr. Seus wrote “the more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you will go” (Chegg, 2022). 

Joyful and engaging shared reading experiences help children reach their full language, cognitive, and social-emotional potential (Litwin, 2003). Reading experiences help develop the fundamental skills and knowledge children need to learn to read (Litwin, 2003). 

Currently, thanks to technology as a tool, we have changed the way we read. We have gone from physical books to digital books. Some advantages of using digital books in schools are that they can motivate and help learners with reading (The Journal, 2001). Audiobook tools can help in two ways: first, they can improve decoding skills, and second, comprehension (The Journal, 2001). 

Advantages and Challenges of Blended Learning Model  

As is well known, not all students learn in the same way; they are different; each learner learns differently (Dweck, 2006). “ Each child has different learning needs at different times” (Horns and Staker, 2015).T Horn and Staker state that there are two reasons we are different: we have different aptitudes; second, we all have different levels of background knowledge (Horn & Staker, 2015). Therefore, blended learning can help address their peculiarities (Weitzel, 2021). 

Blended learning has some advantages, such as allowing flexibility and individualization of each student's learning process; likewise, it respects the time and rhythm of the student, gives continuity to the objectives, and facilitates the evaluation of the contents and tasks by the teacher. (Weitzel, (2021). “Blended learning can personalized and competency-based learning; just as online learning can allow students to learn any time, in any place, on any path, at any pace” (Horn & Staker, 2015). 

Some challenges that blended learning has for teachers are that they are afraid of change, they are used to working traditionally, and teachers lack the skills to handle technology. Some students lack self-discipline and are easily distracted, losing motivation to learn. Plagiarism is another big challenge because it is tempting to copy and paste (Winstead, 2022). 

Conclusion 

Reading in conjunction with blended learning can help students and teachers have a better experience in the classroom, acquire the skills required to be a good reader, and develop the skills needed in this 21st century. Without a doubt, technology has brought a significant impact on Education. With all the advances that technology has made, we need to put it into practice in the classroom to train students who can be creative and innovative. Teachers need to continue training to educate students with the required skills to get better results implementing Blended Learning, first, identify the problem and state in a SMART way, specific, measurable, assignable, realistic, and time-related (Horn & Staker, 2015). 

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