CONTEXT-APPROPRIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF BLENDED LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN WESTERN BALKANS

This paper discusses the challenges of context-appropriate implementation of blended learning in contemporary higher education. The faculty analyzed is of economics and management. Having in consideration that the 21st century professors are facing a continuous challenge to co-create a learner-friendly class environment, and maximize the educational outcomes, special attention has been paid to the blend composed for contemporary teaching, learning and communication; accompanied by existing ICT disruptive technologies and E-learning platforms, combined with the traditional educational processes and vehicles. Crucial challenge in this context is designing the optimal mix of applicable disruptive technologies, having in mind constricted funding, high competitiveness in the higher education, specific student profile etc. The blended learning ‘mashup’ investigated from theoretical and practical point of view has been sustainably implemented in a Western Balkan’s higher education institution for several academic years. Some key findings and lessons learned in this context are presented further in the paper