Leveraging three pillars of academia through blended learning

This paper reports findings of the Learning by Training (LBT) research project which is aimed at utilising the merits of synchronous online and classroom teaching. The overarching theme of the project was to improve students' learning experience and delivery in two modules namely CIS 2103 - Principles of Information Assurance, Security and Privacy by: 1) blending online, mobile and face-to-face learning while drawing from their relative strengths; 2) actively involving students in conducting teaching, research, and providing service. Blended learning recognises the potential of a positive relationship between online learning, face-to-face, and mobile environments for both learners and their teachers. However, while much is known about learning in traditional face-to-face settings, and there is an emergent literature about successful online learning environments, there is little research on factors that promote successful blended learning with the focus on the three pillars of academia: teaching, research, and service. Given the emphasis on learning by doing, students played the three roles of teaching, research, and service provision using a blend of online and face-to-face environment thus leveraged the three pillars of academia.