From this research the need arose to establish a National Blended Learning Forum (NBLF). The aim of the Forum is to create an environment where educators from faculties of education could collaborate, share ideas as well as pursue joint research initiatives on the different aspects of blended learning. The initiative came from Prof Arend Carl and Dr Sonja Strydom at the University of Stellenbosch.

The first forum meeting was held in Stellenbosch in April 2016. At this forum it was decided that the NBLF would meet every year at a different university. The 2017 NBLF gathering was held on Thursday 20 April at the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Education Groenkloof Campus. The day was attended by staff from the universities of Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, North-West and Nelson Mandela.

The morning program included  presentations from Prof Patrick Bean and Dr Margie Childs (both representing Blended Learning at Nelson Mandela University); Prof Christo van der Westhuizen. This was followed by a presentation by Dr Jacqueline Batchelor: Blended Learning at the University of Johannesburg; Dr Helena Wessels: Blended Learning in Mathematics Education at Stellenbosch University; Prof Linda van Ryneveld: Blended Learning in an Open Educational Practice from the UP Faculty of Education.