Why Does Blended Learning Work For Employee Training?

Top 7 benefits of using blended learning methods effectively

For years, organizations have used instructor-led training to teach their employees. Even now, most organizations believe only in face-to-face classrooms. They do not think that self-paced online learning adds any value. This format of imparting training is good, but there are disadvantages associated with it, like high cost, logistic issue, lack of online access. This begs to ask the question, is there a better way?
 

With millennials filling up the workforce, eLearning has become a rage now. While there are still a few doubters to the benefits of eLearning, the pros far exceed the cons. To overcome the barriers in these two different modes of training, organizations started experimenting with hybrid learning formats called blended learning to tackle the disadvantages of both – instructor-led and online learning.

Blended learning strategies tap the best of both the worlds. It blends a variety of learning methods to keep up the engagement levels of your learners.

Here are the top seven benefits of using blended learning methods effectively.

In a blended learning approach, your employees can save a lot of time. You can ask them to complete some of the content online during their free time, like basic concepts. When in the classroom, they can use the time to clarify their doubts and discuss their point-of-view with their peers. Also, since all the learners are supposed to finish the online content before the classroom session, they are all on the same level with the content.

Blended learning can reduce your costs quite a bit. When you transfer a part of your learning online, then you automatically save on costs related to face-to-face training. You reduce the costs incurred on logistics, trainers, venue, and equipment. You save on having to print stationery and as a result reduce your carbon footprint. eLearning does have costs involved, but every time learners access the online course, a part of the fixed cost is written off. More the number of learners taking the training, higher will be the return-on-investment.

One argument against online, self-paced learning is that it lacks the human element. This can affect the learner engagement levels. Since blended learning uses hybrid format, the classroom element enables the learners to interact with the trainers and other learners face-to-face. So, you retain the best of both the worlds.

The online component of the course is available anywhere and anytime. At times, the learners do not even need access to the Internet. If they have a mobile device, which most learners do, then they can access the content during their free time without any time or venue restrictions.

Learners have more control over when they learn. They can move at their own pace and not be slowed down at the pace of the slowest learner. When learners have control over their learning, they remain invested in the course and take it seriously.

Large organizations that have branches all over the world have a diversified workforce. With the rapid development of communication technologies, it has become quite easy for people to communicate virtually. Your employees should be able to communicate effectively with their overseas colleagues. Blended learning solutions help your employees hone their virtual communication skills and learn how to connect and collaborate socially in a virtual environment.

You no longer have to bother collecting training feedback in the classroom. You can gather the data online with the help of tests, quizzes, survey forms and so on. Your learning management system can also create reports for you. With the help of the data collected you can fine-tune your strategies to reap the best benefits.

Blended learning takes the best of both the worlds. The online learning component provides a rich user experience. The practice activities and trainer involvement in the classroom element encourages the learner to apply what he has learned. Overall the learner learns by doing. That way, they learn faster and have better retention. When the same situation comes up in their daily work, they replicate the same behavior and get the job done effectively.

Andrew Hughes, who founded Designing Digitally, Inc. in 2001, has extensive experience in the development of enterprise immersive learning solutions for Government and Fortune 1000 clients. He teaches as a professor at the University of Cincinnati and has been a consultant for the Ohio Board of Regents and the U.S. Department of Education for the Office of Innovation, where he helped to develop ground-breaking learning spaces for the K-12 sector. Andrew was also named 2016 Learning! Champion from eLearning! Magazine.  Connect Andrew Hughes Visit www.designingdigitally.com Follow @DDINC