YOUNG RESEARCHERS CLUB BLENDED LEARNING SYSTEM: A NEW INSTRUCTIONAL PLATFORM

Major changes have occurred in the world, in particular with regard to the information-bearing technologies. Nowadays, the educational role of technology has grown tremendously in several ways proving that technology use is undeniably capable of, and important for, helping teach content, it means that it can be an effective tool to increase access to instruction and education system where there are financial, cultural, and political barriers. Use of technology in educational systems can produce very favorable results in instruction. One of the most effective uses of technology over the past few years is the emergence of Open and Distance Education.
The term open and distance education represent approaches that focus on opening access to education and training provision, freeing learners from the constraints of time and place, and offering flexible learning opportunities to individuals and groups of learners. ِOpen and Distance Learning (ODL) is one of the most rapidly growing fields of education, and its potential impact on all education delivery systems has been greatly accentuated through the development of Internet-based information technologies, and in particular the World Wide Web.
In fact, technology becomes a core part of the teaching environment. The universities and colleges are confronting influences of technology such as web-based material, multimedia presentation, and etc.; which has dramatically alter the way instructional programs are provided. These technologies along with needs to increase access and reduce costs are encouraging the development of distance learning programs.
In this paper, in addition to comparing traditional education and distance education, the necessity of establishing of Distance Learning Systems and its barriers and optimum solutions in developing countries, the distance education system of Islamic Azad University, Young Researchers Club as a blended system of learning is considered as case study.