Effective Blended Learning
Blended learning can be defined as a mix of learning modalities: online courses, instructor-led classes, books, videos, simulations and job aids. These blends can be very simple or quite complex–but the goal is to create a more effective and efficient learning experience than can be achieved with a single type of learning.
Learning resources can also be used proactively by managers to focus the employee on the best way to apply the learning on the job. The goal is to reduce "scrap learning" (learning that is delivered but not applied to the job).
Blended learning can be relatively straightforward to quite intricate in design. For busy executives, a blended approach might be to offer several choices of learning that can be consumed in short 10-minute chunks. A blend can consist of a book chapter, a topic in a course and a three-minute video, for instance. With on-the-go audiences, you may want to provide mobile learning options as part of your blend.
Sometimes blended learning is used to support learners with varied learning styles and needs. Millennials may prefer to watch a video or engage in a short simulation, but another worker may prefer to read a chapter or take a full course. Sometimes the need for assessment and formal tracking also influences the modalities that are offered in the learning blend. There are cases where the human element is key – but this can also be achieved with online mentoring and virtual live instruction, so the possibilities are almost endless.
SkillSoft has helped thousands of companies create powerful learning blends that support a wide variety of business objectives and audiences. Our learning consultants routinely help customers in aligning our assets with specific competencies and creating blended learning programs to meet specific needs. Learn more about blended learning and how SkillSoft solutions can support your unique needs:
Effective Blended Learning Resources
- Video: Blended Learning in Action
Hear how the Learning Programs Manager at Siemens North America designed the company's blended learning programs around to meet multiple career level needs. - White Paper: Blended Learning Strategies: Selecting the Best Instructional Method
Find answers to key questions about how you can deliver the various components of a well-designed blended learning program. - Learning Guide: Effective Blended Learning Guide
Simply providing training via multiple methodologies won’t guarantee blended learning success. The right blend really varies depending on your specific learning needs and audiences. Here are some questions to consider when designing blended learning programs. - White Paper: Eight Phases of Workplace Learning: A Framework for Designing Blended Programs
Discover the eight phases of workplace learning and how they serve as a framework for designing your blended learning solutions.
