The (quick) case for blended learning.
Blended learning is an educational approach which leverages digital tools to deliver instruction in a way that gives learners some element of control over the time, place, path or pace of their training. Unlike simple tech-rich instruction which simply transfers classroom work into an online environment, blended learning fundamentally shifts the curriculum to maximize the potential for personalization, collaboration and retention.
This is hardly a new concept, but one with particular value in today’s shifting environment as learning professionals seek new, creative ways to engage learners and provide rich instructional experiences beyond the classroom.
Here are four ways to begin shifting your learning program toward a more effective blended training model:
1. Increase collaboration.
Social interaction is critical to any learning program. Casual hallway conversations or water cooler chats provide important opportunities for students to ask questions or exchange ideas. But as physical distance increases so does the need to provide supplemental opportunities for this type of collaboration and discussion.
Think beyond formal training events to create meaningful learning experiences that include an organic social component. Leverage collaboration tools to host forums or discussions, form learning groups and establish goals to solve business problems. Or, create groups with the task of researching solutions to be presented to their peers.
Rather than thinking of your lesson plan as something that needs to be “pushed” or impressed upon students, look for ways to empower learners to “pull” that information from the curriculum through self-driven exercises or activities. Internal wikis and blogs are a great way to standardize knowledge, document processes and encourage employee to take ownership of their learning experiences. These are all valuable ways to increase the knowledge and skills of your teams while driving toward real business results.
2. Create a digital learning strategy.
While many organizations have already begun digitizing some, if not all, learning processes, others are still making the transition.
If you haven’t yet invested in a Learning Management System (LMS), now is the time to do so. Your LMS software will serve as the central hub of information for your blended learning program, allowing users to access online resources and performance support — and in some cases giving you the built-in tools to develop your own e-learning content. For those who already have an established LMS in place, now may be the time to expand to a more connected learning platform that provides performance support or includes other assets such as glossaries, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or conversational agents.
As you begin building your blended learning solution, consider how collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex can be leveraged when face-to-face instruction isn’t possible. Both of these tools provide a higher touch than autonomous learning, with additional opportunities to ask questions, work together in virtual breakout rooms, take real-time surveys and share learning resources seamlessly.