Investigating the Reasons Institutions of Higher Education in the USA and Canada Utilize Blended Learning

Futurists believe that blended learning will continue to be a trend in higher education for many years. Blended learning is the thoughtful
integration of classroom face-to-face learning experiences with online learning environments. Even though instructors are the pioneers of
integration of technology in classrooms, ultimately the university officials have to make a decision about supporting blended learning initiatives on their campuses. The present study used an explanatory
mixed method design to identify the main reasons universities in the US and Canada decided to offer blended courses and investigate possible relationships between region, institutional type and size with reasons for using blended learning. In the first quantitative phase, 310 university
administrators completed a questionnaire to identify the main reasons their institution offered blended courses and in the second qualitative phase five academic administrators were interviewed to explain and elaborate on the findings. Evidence is provided to suggest that the size and location of the university has a relationship with the reason an institution decides to offer blended courses.