Blended learning is not so much an innovation as a natural consequence of the integration of digital technologies into the traditional learning space. Let’s define blended learning and view the advantages.
What is blended learning?
It is a combination of traditional forms of classroom learning with elements of e-learning, which uses special information technologies such as computer graphics, audio, video, etc.
The learning approach in blended learning is a sequence of phases of traditional and e-learning, which alternate in time.
Benefits of blended learning
The benefits consist of the advantages of remote and traditional methods:
- Efficiency: reduced distraction from work; the course usually allows you to contain more information than a standard face-to-face system, while it wins in efficiency with an electronic course because a trainer is involved in the process.
- Availability around the world: the course of one level, which meets the standards of the main office, is broadcast to employees and in all other branches.
- Cost reduction. You need to pay for the LMS blended learning but at the same time eliminate or reduce the cost of travelling coaches and renting premises.
- Increasing employee motivation to learn and loyalty to the companies. The employee appreciates both the fact that it is easier for them to gain knowledge and that the company has corporate training.
- Achievement of specific business goals: the methodologist works out the program, taking into account the company’s goals and indicators that need to be improved.
Types of blended learning models
When you have a mixed group, it is nearly incomprehensible to tailor the learning process to each student. A model may help you personalize your topic based on time considerations, teaching methods, and individual choices.
Here are some of the blended learning methods:
- Face to face
Traditional instructor-led learning sessions are complemented by technology that lets students control their own pace of learning. These are role-playing games, mentorship, practice, and feedback.
- Change
Students move from one learning activity to another either in a structured, instructor-led session or online on their own. These are learning “stations” and a flipped classroom where students rehearse a class before following face-to-face instruction.
- Gamification
One of the most useful methods to encourage students is the game. By receiving game elements such as points or levels, students handle little competition and are more motivated to study material in their free time.
- Online laboratory
This model is digital, with little or no interaction with the instructor, and is applied before, during, or after training. Students can access content on their devices.
- Self-education
It is additional content in the form of webinars, document templates, enterprise blogs, or video tutorials that allows aspiring learners to delve more in-depth into a topic.
How to build a blended learning program?
Any distance learning course is created according to the general scheme. First, a program will lead the student from the first step to the goal. Then educational materials are created: lectures, presentations, articles, and others. This is formed into lessons necessary for communication with the student.
It can take a lot of time to create a program, but the more carefully you think it through at the beginning, the less complex adjustments you will have to make later. The blended learning may be partly distance learning, as in schools, but completely distant schooling via the Internet is now more in demand.
A blended learning platform allows you to use all the strengths of e-learning. Therefore, pre-record high-quality video lectures, presentations, articles, and other materials that the student will use in the independent part of the activity.
Which blended learning LMS to use?
If you are striving for a truly effective result, it is best to find out the goals, objectives, desired prospects, the current state of the training, and the definition of the project budget.
As a result of such analysis, to find a blended learning solution, it is necessary, first of all, to get answers to the following questions:
- The functionality of which LMS allows you to achieve your goals?
- How will the timing of the introduction of e-learning change?
- How quickly will LMS moderators be able to perform actions to create and modify content?
- How will the budget of the project change?
- How will LMS technical support and user training be provided?
- Can the LMS functionality provide the necessary level of information security, copyright protection, and compliance with legal requirements?
The choice of e-learning for enterprise often falls on My learning Hub because it allows you to create, spread, track and suggest the knowledge your employees, partners, and clients require to grow. You can build a custom learning space in minutes and provide efficient training within your organization and your growing company network.
