Equity in Blended Learning Through a Proposed Framework: Integrating Equitable Gaps with Lived Experiences

Equity in Blended Learning Through a Proposed Framework: Integrating Equitable Gaps with Lived Experiences | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Equity in Blended Learning Through a Proposed Framework: Integrating Equitable Gaps with Lived Experiences Paul Murphy, Sian Chapman, Kirsten Lambert This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7748705/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 12 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Higher education in 2025 predominantly uses blended learning for course delivery, thereby merging digital platforms with conventional teaching methods. Whilst blended learning has become the ‘new normal’ in higher education post-covid, issues of equity can easily be overlooked. Many frameworks have been used over the past twenty years to guide the creation and understanding of blended learning systems. However, students and staff have recently highlighted the need to explicitly address issues of equity, access and justice. This paper examines five existing frameworks through the lens of equity and proposes a new and modified framework to improve blended learning settings in higher education. Through a comparative analysis of five blended learning frameworks as well as qualitative data from students and staff at a Western Australian university, this paper identifies primary obstacles and potentials for integrating equity and social justice into blended learning systems. Emerging from these obstacles and potentials is a proposed framework which includes equity as a core and essential subsystem. Together with other common subsystems, the proposed model aims to deliver an extensive framework to assess all aspects of blended learning implementation. Equity will be placed at the centre of blended learning design and delivery, enabling educators to consider equity in the development of their courses. By designing diverse, inclusive, and accessible content, courses and units of work can be culturally and contextually responsive to a variety of learners. By planning and delivering ongoing, professional development for staff, universities can build the skills, knowledge and confidence of academic staff in inclusive and equitable blended learning. Blended learning Equity higher education frameworks access inclusion Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 01 Dec, 2025 Reviews received at journal 05 Nov, 2025 Reviews received at journal 02 Nov, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 23 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 17 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 15 Oct, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 15 Oct, 2025 Editor invited by journal 14 Oct, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 03 Oct, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 03 Oct, 2025 First submitted to journal 30 Sep, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7748705","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":524109112,"identity":"91e45b6d-7987-4872-b072-5a22d827d943","order_by":0,"name":"Paul 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