At the end, it’s all about the blend

It’s often a good idea to take a moment and zoom out. This gives you new perspectives on the way you’re looking at opportunities and challenges. Since this can be quite challenging, it might be a good idea to ask someone from outside your frame of mind to help you with zooming out. When we did this exercise a couple of months ago, a marketing agency helped us by conducting interviews with customers. The goal was to find out who we are and who we are here for. It gave a really fresh perspective on our purpose; we’re technology + human touch. This awareness really helped us with our story, but also gave a clear signal why we believe in blended learning.

Blended learning = Training Improvement Engine

Using learning technology for training, you are utilising it as a training improvement engine. This is best done with a combination of technology and human touch. Thinking about it that way, it really made sense to me.?

In my opinion, that’s exactly what blended learning should be all about. Making use of learning technology in all different ways to improve the learning process.??But, on the other hand, still keep that human touch which often proves to be invaluable for the learning experience.

If we try to search for a definition of blended learning, you’ll come across all different kinds of formulations. One of the most common ones is, as formulated by Bernard in 2014:?

Blended learning is a mix of classical instruction (for example face-to-face) and not-classical online learning, where the online work replaces time in the classroom.

I’d like to take the emphasis away from substituting classroom time. It’s important that we start looking in a more holistic way.?

Mix up your learning interventions

Blended learning is a way to improve your training, by using a combination of learning interventions. Those interventions need to be tailored to the objective you are trying to achieve, the target group you are teaching and the topic of the training.?

There are different variables to take into account while designing these interventions. One is the toolbox that you have at your disposal. If you add technology in the mix, you are able to expand this toolbox. Make sure to get an overview of the activities you can use, the purpose of these activities and whether they match with your goals.?

There are many great examples to showcase this, but one of my personal favourites is by Ashorne Hill. This UK-based training provider created a programme for First Time Managers, in which they weaved both online and offline activities. This ensured a structured learning path with clear expectations. Utilising both classroom activities, online reflections and 360 feedback sessions made sure they optimised the learning path for skill-based learning.

Take a step back and zoom out

This quite simple example displays how adding some preparation can enhance flexibility, personalisation, and ability to learn at one's own pace, while making sure that time is spent in an effective and efficient way.?

Another great use case of blended learning is displayed by Training Improvement Award-winner Amelior. More on their story and how to get started yourself in the upcoming blogs.?

I can already give you one tip when it comes to getting started (or improving your current training) with blended learning: take a step back, zoom out and look at your training from a different perspective.