BLENDED LEARNING

Combine traditional and online learning approaches to increase learner motivation and satisfaction.

As the world goes digital, it’s increasingly critical for companies to provide workers with the right skill sets to close the new technology skill gaps. Often employees need hands-on experience achieved during in-person training. Blended learning allows for learners to learn theory online and practice real-world examples in the classroom.

The blended learning approach allows organizations to deliver training more efficiently and cost-effectively by combining online-independent learning with virtual instructor-led learning or in-person training.

What is Blended Learning?

If you’re familiar with eLearning in some capacity, you’ve almost certainly heard of blended learning. It’s a term that has gained traction in recent years, with eLearning professionals and learners alike praising its benefits.

For those who aren’t familiar, blended learning combines traditional learning methods with internet-based online approaches. It is a mix of various event-based activities, including face-to-face classrooms, synchronous learning, and self-paced learning.

Not everyone learns the same way. That is blended learning’s true strength: it turns a predominantly transmissive teaching method into a fully immersive one.

The Advantages of Blended Learning for Corporate Training

  1. The most significant benefit of using blended learning helps reduce the cost involved in training their employees.
  2. Converting Instructor-Led Training (ILT) to a blended learning model shortens the time taken to accomplish the same learning objective. The revised seat time for the blended modality is usually between 33% and 50% of the ILT seat time.
  3. It can reach a larger audience with a coherent message in a shorter time.
  4. Organizations can leverage more interactive online learning techniques that resonate well with learners and result in a more sticky learning experience.
  5. With blended learning, you have the capability of rapidly updating and redeploying teaching.
  6. Trainers can easily measure progress and, if necessary, prepare for tweaks or additional treatments using online evaluations.
  7. From an organizational standpoint, the primary advantage of a blended learning model is that it allows companies to reach out to remote learners, a requirement in today’s world. Both learners and trainers will interact virtually in the blended learning model.

According to the Trainingmag’s 2020 Training Industry Report,

  • Approximately 11% of companies use blended learning exclusively or primarily 90–100% of the time.
  • 40% of businesses use it for between 10% and 29% of their preparation.
  • Nearly 33% of hours were delivered with blended learning techniques, up from 28% in 2019.

Most organizations now use a combination of approaches as part of the training and development strategy. 

Benefits of Blended Learning for Learners

  1. One of the major benefits of blended learning is that it is more aligned with learner needs and allows learners to take advantage of the best of all mediums.
  2. Access to online tools gives learners more flexibility, particularly now that a large portion of the workforce works from home—they can access the training after the facilitated session concludes. They gain access to supportive services online and on-demand, exercising discretion over when and how they consume them. This ability is particularly beneficial for reinforcing or reviewing previously acquired knowledge.
  3. The communication features of the platforms (such as threaded conversations or chats) allow learners to maintain contact with their peers and trainers long after the scheduled session has concluded successfully. This feature enables them to share insights about learning and information implementation. This relation is an excellent way to promote social or collaborative learning in today’s remote operations.
  4. Online training promotes a more enduring learning experience, and 24/7 access to online resources enables learners to revisit and update the training course and related resources. Additionally, blended learning systems have a higher retention rate than ILT programs.

3 Easy Steps How Alchemist Learning Can Help You Build Your Blended Training Program Effectively

Step 1: Determine Why Blending is Needed
We look at the factors that contribute to the need to transform the training format. Are there any shortcomings in the current delivery method that need addressing in the new format? What are the anticipated benefits of the new design?

Step 2: Conduct a Content Review to Determine its Suitability for Blended Delivery
We evaluate the existing design approach and decide how it can be modified to accommodate blended delivery. Then we effectively map out the classroom-based activities and exercises to the online format.

Step 3: Identify the Support That is Needed
Evaluate distribution solutions, including the following:
– The platform for VILT and the LMS for online training
– Organizational, instructor, and employee support

Blending the Right Way and in the Right Quantity to Have Better Quality Training

Today people are constantly on the move and must perform various activities, necessitating the continuous acquisition of new skills and knowledge.

Classroom instruction alone is not always adequate to assist students. There are many reasons for this, including teacher availability, training schedule, and time constraints.

Given all of this, a blended approach to training makes sense. In the short term, standardized digital learning would allow students to complete their training without the assistance of a teacher. In the long run, companies should integrate classroom and digital learning to ensure that learners perform at their best and have the greatest effect.

What training systems does your organization use? Schedule a call to discuss how blended learning can help learners become more engaged and improve employee performance at your workplace.