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What is blended learning?

How blended learning training is delivered is usually dependent on varying circumstances, making a universal, all-encompassing definition hard to establish. Wikipedia offers the following definition:

“Blended learning, also known as hybrid learning, is an approach to education that combines online educational materials and opportunities for interaction online with traditional place-based classroom methods.”

But don’t worry if ‘traditional place-based classrooms’ are out of the question for your learners right now. You can easily substitute in-person for online training, using webinars or videos, ​​making the learning even more accessible and convenient.

Types of blended learning models

There’s a few different ways to approach this type of training. Let’s look at some of the most used blended learning models. 

Flipped model

This blended learning model allows trainers to prioritize active learning during class time, by giving learners the training materials and presentations before the actual class. The trainer can simply share the content via a learning management system (LMS), email, or however training is delivered. 

Face-to-face driver model

This is the closest to a traditional classroom structure. Instead of the session taking place in a physical classroom, learners log into a webinar or meeting session, like a Zoom Meeting. The learning happens online, with assignments being set afterwards. This blended learning model is easily delivered using an LMS. With one, you can deliver the training session and share assignments with learners before or after the session has taken place.

Enriched virtual

An alternative to full-time online training that allows learners to complete the majority of coursework online, and also attend webinars for face-to-face learning sessions with an instructor. Attendance is ad hoc and at the learners discretion, giving them the flexibility to learn at their own pace. 

How to create a blended learning program

Define objectives

As with any type of training model, you need to start with an objective; What’s the purpose of the training and what’s the end goal? Not only will this create clarity for your learners, but it enables you to build a more focused program that gives learners the skills and knowledge they need.

Make it interactive

Blended learning courses can be as interactive as you want. It’s up to you to decide the amount of learning that will be through online training and how much will take place through self-paced learning. For example, you could set a task for learners to complete before a live webinar training session. During the webinar, you discuss the task and share solutions.

Assessments

You’ll need to monitor and assess your learners progress at the end of the program. This will give you insight into how successful the training was, and if there are any knowledge gaps that need to be addressed. With an LMS, you can easily set exams or assessments to be completed at the end of the training.