Is Blended Learning the right solution for you?
Considering the implementation of a Blended Learning (BL) program brings with it a set of questions and decisions that need to be made. Blended Learning has a huge number of benefits. We know through experience that it personalizes learning, it reduces training costs, it offers flexibility- to name a few. But where there are advantages, there are usually some disadvantages too. When technology is involved, people need to know how to use it effectively, and there are set up and maintenance costs involved – to name a few. When we help our clients set up a BL program, or when we train trainers on this topic, we advise them to plan and evaluate the outcome of the BL solution. The below questions will help you get started.
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Visualize the big picture
If you think that Blended Learning is the right solution for you, great.
- What successes are you looking for by implementing a BL program?
- What are the benefits and challenges of implementing a BL program?
Find the perfect blend
There are face to face (seminars, 1-1 training, classes) and online elements (webinars, virtual classrooms, community learning) to consider. Chances are you won’t be using all of them. There’s no need. But you’re looking for the perfect blend, so you need to know which elements there are to choose from and how each of them are of benefit to you. If you don’t have access to an expert to ask, Wikipedia is always a good place to start.
- Which components of available BL solutions are in your toolbox?
- What are the benefits and challenges of these components?
- How easily can these components be implemented?
- How are you going to link content between the components?
Engage participants
Not everyone will jump at the chance of exploring a new online system, not even if the learning benefits are obvious. It’s possible that not everyone needs to engage with all the BL components that are available, or to different extents. If you’ve dealt with change in the workplace, you know it already, buy-in is necessary if you want your BL program to hit the ground runnning.
- What does participant engagement look like?
- How can you maximize participant engagement?
- Which participants should use which components?
Train the trainer
The trainer is key to any successful training solution. You need their buy-in too. Their engagement with the training shouldn’t end when you move to the online component. And if your trainer is expected to deliver some of the online components, your success depends on their ability to utilize the tools available to them. Most trainers are keen to try out new things and will happily engage. Nevertheless, there is often a learning curve for the trainer.
- What is the trainer’s level of engagement with each of the components?
- Which skills does the trainer need to make the program successful?
- How can we close gaps in knowledge?
- How will we get trainer buy-in?
Measure success
- What behaviours have changed at work as a result of the BL program?
- How do training objectives relate to business objectives?
- How do we measure success?
- What do participants need to be successful?
