Factors Influencing The Effectiveness Of Blended Learning Approach In Biology As A STEM Subject In Omusati Region,Namibia

Today’s age of 21 st Century is also the age of information and technology(IT),which is related to every aspect of our life.However,there is a technological gap between the progress of the society and instructional activities of the teacher in the classroom.Successful implementation of ICT helps the teacher to update new knowledge and skills to use the new digital tools and resources which allow their didactical activities to become more effective.Blended learning owns mixed features of both traditional face-to face classroom teaching and e-learning & technology tools which means it will result in a multimodal approach to teaching and learning.A appropriate use of blended learning enables inclusive,equitable,and sustainable education as it caters for all learners at all places and all time.This study therefore seeks to analyze the factors causing ineffective implementation of blended learning in secondary schools in Omusati Region,Namibia.The study aims at contributing to a better understanding of the benefits of blended learning,discovering the possible factors hindering the effectiveness of blended learning and discussing how to implement blended learning effectively.The study adopts a mixed method research design to seek for a complete picture of the status of blended learning in secondary schools of Omusati region and to determine the factors influencing implementation of blended learning in Namibian secondary schools.The data was collected through questionnaires,observations,and interviews.The study reveals that blended learning has a significant impact on STEM subjects such as developing learners’ scientific skills,providing visual elements to learners,improving learning performance,motivation,equitable access to learning resources,eliminate time and place bound as well as enabling collaborative teaching and learning.However,the study findings also unveil demographic location,limited access to ICT resources,poor connectivity,lack of school initiatives,limited access to online platforms,negative perception of teachers and learners,lack of ICT integration in teaching and learning as factors hindering effective implementations of blended learning.The study findings will contribute to a better understanding of the benefits of blended learning,and propose improvements and policy recommendations that will generate solutions to the possible factors hindering the effectiveness of blended learning to enhance better performance in Biology as a stem subject.