Reflections on the practice of blended learning in first year post-secondary education

Many educators in post-secondary education recognize the value of creating a learning environment that is relevant to the times we live in. As an instructor in a first year university course, Foundations of Teamwork & Communication (FTC), I have written this thesis to explore some of the specific elements in the development and delivery of the course that appear to be beneficial in creating a meaningful learning environment for students of the Net Generation. The purpose of this study is to explore the needs of Net Generation students, through evidence of their community and team building, onlir~e learning, and their use of a game-based assessment tool developed specifically for FTC. By examining the pedagogy, learning activities and the elements that have shaped the experience of students in this course, I suggest alternative teaching methods that may be used to engage and retain students beyond their first year of university studies.