E-learning as a new educational paradigm

The development of e-learning has led to the emergence of various models that seek to combine the best elements of traditional and digital education. Among them, blended learning occupies a central place because it combines the advantages of direct " face-to-face " teaching with the flexibility and interactivity of an online environment.

Hybrid learning is a combination of a traditional educational environment with the support of e-learning. It is currently the most widespread form of learning because it enables student-centered learning. All the advantages of distance learning, such as access to education any time and any where, are used in this model, so the sharp boundaries between these two ways of learning are lost. This form actually represents the application of a new educational paradigm in which investigative and collaborative learning is encouraged, and the teacher becomes a leader during the learning process.

The basic components and ways of working in the hybrid form of learning can be seen in Table 4.

The hybrid environment also enables self-paced learning through web-based educational modules, hyperlinks to online resources, simulations, scenarios, audio and video materials, online self-assessments, and various forms of work materials. An important element is a support system that includes assistance in using technology and a knowledge base, as well as documentation and additional tools that facilitate teaching and learning.

In the hybrid type of learning, it is assumed that students remain tied to colleges and universities, but use all the opportunities provided by technology to meet their needs and facilitate and improve the process of learning and lifelong education.

Acording to Bates (2004), e-learning, and thus hybrid learning, encourages inquiry-based learning and teaching and offers a number of advantages over traditional classroom teaching. Students have access to high-quality teaching and learning at any time and from any place. Information that could previously only be provided by a teacher is now available on demand via the Internet. If multimedia teaching materials are of high quality and well designed for e-learning, they can be more effective than traditional classroom teaching because students acquire knowledge more quickly with the help of illustrations, animations and various forms of content structuring, especially when they have a greater level of interaction and control over their own learning.

New technologies can be designed to develop higher-order skills such as problem solving, decision-making, and critical thinking. Interaction with teachers and peers can be organized and coordinated through online communication, increasing accessibility, flexibility, and collaboration. Such models enable team teaching, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the creation of multicultural and international student groups.

Hybrid learning is therefore not just a technical combination of two approaches, but a reflection of a contemporary educational paradigm that combines technology and pedagogy to create an active, flexible and student-centered educational process.