Blended learning in vocational education: benefits, challenges, and student engagement

This systematic review aims to explore blended learning in vocational education (VE), where the benefits, challenges, and influence on student engagement will provide information on some recommendations that can be adopted to better design and implement. The need for this review arises from the glob...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Su Song, Yiu Chi Lai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2548348
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849227311916777472
author Su Song
Yiu Chi Lai
author_facet Su Song
Yiu Chi Lai
author_sort Su Song
collection DOAJ
description This systematic review aims to explore blended learning in vocational education (VE), where the benefits, challenges, and influence on student engagement will provide information on some recommendations that can be adopted to better design and implement. The need for this review arises from the global emphasis on technology-driven and flexible vocational training, given the rapid changes in learner needs and industry demands. The existing literature needs a comprehensive view of the way learning influences engagement in VE contexts. The review is an analysis of 24 articles selected via a systematic process guided by the PRSIMA framework that provides insights on key trends and gaps. Results show that blended learning requires a flexible approach to student engagement, where it works out solutions for pedagogical, technological, and learner-centered barriers. It indicates that the use of technology, such as gamification, needs to deal with ambiguity. Learner satisfaction and motivation are linked to their engagement levels. Financial, training and technical support are crucial for aiding student engagement in blended learning. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are extracted from findings to initiate a cohesive outlook on blended learning in VE and to optimize student engagement.
format Article
id doaj-art-a4e9e5ea4cc24475bbc68bbb3811f296
institution Kabale University
issn 2331-186X
language English
publishDate 2025-12-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
record_format Article
series Cogent Education
spelling doaj-art-a4e9e5ea4cc24475bbc68bbb3811f2962025-08-23T15:06:02ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Education2331-186X2025-12-0112110.1080/2331186X.2025.2548348Blended learning in vocational education: benefits, challenges, and student engagementSu Song0Yiu Chi Lai1School of Public Fundamental, Jiangsu Medical College, Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, ChinaDepartment of Mathematics and Information Technology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong KongThis systematic review aims to explore blended learning in vocational education (VE), where the benefits, challenges, and influence on student engagement will provide information on some recommendations that can be adopted to better design and implement. The need for this review arises from the global emphasis on technology-driven and flexible vocational training, given the rapid changes in learner needs and industry demands. The existing literature needs a comprehensive view of the way learning influences engagement in VE contexts. The review is an analysis of 24 articles selected via a systematic process guided by the PRSIMA framework that provides insights on key trends and gaps. Results show that blended learning requires a flexible approach to student engagement, where it works out solutions for pedagogical, technological, and learner-centered barriers. It indicates that the use of technology, such as gamification, needs to deal with ambiguity. Learner satisfaction and motivation are linked to their engagement levels. Financial, training and technical support are crucial for aiding student engagement in blended learning. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are extracted from findings to initiate a cohesive outlook on blended learning in VE and to optimize student engagement.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2548348Student engagementARCS modelvocational educationblended learningstudent motivationlearning outcomes
spellingShingle Su Song
Yiu Chi Lai
Blended learning in vocational education: benefits, challenges, and student engagement
Cogent Education
Student engagement
ARCS model
vocational education
blended learning
student motivation
learning outcomes
title Blended learning in vocational education: benefits, challenges, and student engagement
title_full Blended learning in vocational education: benefits, challenges, and student engagement
title_fullStr Blended learning in vocational education: benefits, challenges, and student engagement
title_full_unstemmed Blended learning in vocational education: benefits, challenges, and student engagement
title_short Blended learning in vocational education: benefits, challenges, and student engagement
title_sort blended learning in vocational education benefits challenges and student engagement
topic Student engagement
ARCS model
vocational education
blended learning
student motivation
learning outcomes
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2548348
work_keys_str_mv AT susong blendedlearninginvocationaleducationbenefitschallengesandstudentengagement
AT yiuchilai blendedlearninginvocationaleducationbenefitschallengesandstudentengagement