BLENDED LEARNING
In recent years it has been found that utilizing blended learning across a variety of contexts has proven to be a successful approach for teaching and training content.
Companies use it to train their employees while classrooms implement a blended learning approach to encourage students to think about content in a variety of ways. Blended learning leverages both in-person instruction and e-learning for conveying key concepts. Seeing as people are so connected to technology (phones, tablets, computers), using blended learning has inherent advantages.
Blended learning is an education program (formal or informal) that combines online digital media with traditional classroom methods. It requires the physical presence of both teacher and student, with some element of student control over time, place, path, or pace. It may also be referred to as a student-centered approach to creating a learning experience whereby the learner interacts with other students, with the instructor, and with content through thoughtful integration of online and face-to-face environments.
HISTORY
So, let’s hop into the miniature time machines in our minds and travel back to the beginning of blended learning. In the 1960s on mainframes and mini-computers, technology-based training emerged as an alternative to instructor-led training. One major advantage that blended learning offered was scale, whereas one instructor can only teach so many people. One example is PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations), a system developed by the University of Illinois and Control Data. PLATO in particular had a long history of innovations and offered coursework from elementary to the college level. As time passed, Mainframe-based training had a number of interface limitations that gave way to satellite-based live video in the 1970s. The advantage here was serving people who were not as computer literate. The major challenge was the expense required to make this work. In the early 1990s, CD-ROMs emerged as a dominant form of providing technology-based learning as bandwidth through 56k modems weren’t able to support very high quality sound and video. Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee (AICC), was formed in 1988 and companies such as Boeing used CD-ROMs to provide training for personnel. Modern blended learning is delivered online, although CD-ROMs could feasibly still be used if a learning management system meets an institution’s standards
BLENDED LEARNING MODELS
Some blended learning models include:
Rotation Model
The rotation model is defined as a class, course, or subject in which students rotate from one learning modality to another, at least one of which being online learning. The rotation often consists of students either moving between online learning, small group instruction, and paper-pencil work, or moving between whole-class instruction and online learning.
Flex Model
A Flex model refers to courses where online learning is the backbone of students’ learning experience, mostly taking place on a brick-and-mortar campus. Teachers are available to offer tutoring, guidance, and off-line learning activities to enrich students’ online learning experience as needed and on a case-by-case basis.
A La Carte Model
The A La Carte model refers to a course that a student takes online while attending a brick-and-mortar school. This model is the most common type of blended learning employed at the high school level. Although there is no face-to-face component associated with the online course, this approach is considered a blended learning model because students are engaged in a blend of both online learning and brick-and-mortar schooling (face to face).
Enriched Virtual Model
The Enriched Virtual model requires students or employee to have face-to-face instructional sessions, but students are given the flexibility to complete the rest of the task online from a location of their choice. The Enriched Virtual model provides needed support for students while allowing the flexibility of self-directed, online instruction.
ADVANTAGES OF BLENDED LEARNING
Provides Personalized Training Experiences
Face-to-face instruction and technology working hand in hand offers employees a customized training experience with personalized feedback. If they are struggling with a particular training topic, they can access supplemental resources online or get the help they need from their instructor. They are also able to utilize specific multimedia activities that cater to their performance goals.. If they need to learn more about a particular product and its features, they are able to access the product demo and tutorial instantly. Instead of sitting through an hour-long training course to get the information they require, they can just pick-and-choose which elements will improve their performance and skill sets.
Offers 24/7 Access To Training Resources
Blended learning training removes time and location limitations. If the employee is at home and would like to spend a moment brushing up on product specs, they can do so. If they are on the sales floor and need to learn how to carry out a return, they can simply access the tutorial via any of the terminals. Corporate learners no longer have to wait for a scheduled training to address their concerns and questions, as the online training resources are always there to help. If you create an online forum, they can also benefit from the experience of their co-workers and get answers to questions when the instructor is not available.
Track Employee Performance & Skill Development
Blended learning also makes data tracking more quick and convenient. Instead of grading exams, use an online assessment with a built-in grading system, which also offers the added bonus of immediate feedback. Virtually every training exercise and activity can be tracked to gauge employee progress and skill set development, from the choices they make in a branching scenario to their level of participation in an online discussion. Organizations also gain the opportunity to figure out which activities are effective and which need to be modified in order to meet performance goals and objectives.
Reduction In Training Costs
The benefit that brings many organizations to a blended learning strategy is the cost savings. Employees who are doing their job instead of sitting in a training room are improving the company’s bottom line as opposed to utilizing precious resources. This is due to the fact that blended learning can make the training process more effective, but does not require as much time or money as traditional training. No instructors need to be present, in some cases, and there is no training space to rent. In addition, the training courses can be updated and expanded in a fraction of the time, as there are no printed materials to worry about.
In conclusion, every learning strategy has its pros and cons. The question that all eLearning professionals must ask is whether the good outweigh the bad? This also rings true for blended learning in the workplace. Will combining learning technology with face-to-face instruction and/or self-paced learning benefit your learners? Are the risks worth the rewards? Hopefully this article has offered the insight you need to make your final decision? Are you going to go the route of blended learning, or should you take an alternative path? Blended learning can offer a wide range of benefits, but is it the ideal choice for your performance goals and learner needs?
