Blended learning: The future of corporate training

Blended learning, also known as B-learning or mixed learning, is a teaching method that is dramatically reshaping the training paradigm. It blends the advantages of traditional teaching with the diverse array of technological resources that come with online training. This methodology not only offers greater flexibility, but also provides a more personalized learning experience, allowing companies to better adapt to their employees’ individual needs.

Are you eager to discover more about blended learning, and how it can take training in your company to the next level? Then keep reading!

What is Blended Learning?

Blended learning is the name of a teaching method that combines face-to-face training with e-learning. It is a well-developed teaching process supported by a wide range of face-to-face resources and technological tools, which work in tandem to produce personalized, interactive, innovative and effective training.

By utilizing the benefits of both training techniques, it aims to create deeper and more efficient learning processes. On the face-to-face side, it promotes participation, collaboration and aims to answer students’ questions directly, while on the technological side, it optimizes time, reduces costs, and offers interactive multimedia content to strengthen the quality of teaching.

The advantages of blended learning in training programs

There can be little doubt that technology is now part of our daily lives, so take advantage of the availability of these tools to develop a blended learning program that yields great results. Below are some of the main advantages of this method:

• Greater flexibility and autonomy: The virtual aspect of blended learning allows employees to access training materials anytime, anywhere. This flexibility gives them the autonomy to learn at their own pace, so they can balance professional development with both work and personal responsibilities.
• Personalized learning: Some employees may benefit more from in-person classes and meetings, while others prefer to learn at their own pace through virtual sessions. Helpfully, blended learning programs can be adapted to the individual needs of both types of employee.
• Deeper interaction and collaboration: Discussion forums, webinars and collaborative projects – both in-person and online – help to build a participatory learning environment, where employees can learn how to share knowledge and solve problems as a team.
• More efficient use of time: Blended learning allows employees to manage their time more efficiently, offering a balance of in-person training and virtual elements that each student can adapt to their own pace.
• Reduced training costs: Integrating online components into training programs significantly reduces the costs associated with in-person training, such as travel, accommodation, and the need to print materials.
• Leverages technological resources: The use of technology, such as simulations and interactive tools, enriches the learning experience and makes training a more dynamic, effective and engaging experience.
• Eliminates geographical barriers: B-learning allows employees in different locations to access the same training. This benefits companies whose teams are scattered geographically, and helps to ensure uniform and consistent training throughout the whole organization.

How blended learning works in corporate training

As we’ve discovered, blended learning in corporate training works by combining in-person and virtual elements to create a cohesive and effective learning experience.

The structure of blended learning

In practice, blended learning has a structure made up of many potential elements, including:

• In-person and online classes: Employees take part in in-person classes where they can interact directly with both instructors and colleagues. These are complemented by online training activities that can be performed at the student’s own pace.
• Multimedia content: Online courses usually include a range of multimedia resources – such as videos, infographics, simulations and podcasts – which make learning more dynamic and engaging.
• Face-to-face sessions: These remain an integral part of blended learning, providing opportunities for direct interaction, group discussions, and practical activities. They are used to reinforce concepts learned online, and encourage more collaborative learning.
• Tutorials and webinars: Webinars allow employees to participate in live seminars, where they can chat to experts and peers, ask questions, and even receive answers in real time. Tutorials, meanwhile, offer additional support, allowing employees to seek personalized help, and get answers to specific questions.
• Evaluations and analysis: Regular evaluations, both online and in-person, help to measure employee progress and identify areas for improvement. In addition, the use of digital tools makes it possible to continuously evaluate individual performance, allowing trainers to adjust content accordingly.

4 steps to implement a blended learning model

In order to properly carry out a blended learning strategy, it’s important to follow some key steps:

1. Define your objectives

The first step, as with any type of training plan, is to be clear about the objectives you want to achieve. In order to do this, take into account the audience you intend to train, the time you plan to allocate to the training process, and finally the tools available to help you achieve it.

2. Design a training program

With the above objectives in mind, start to develop a training program that features a well-structured calendar or schedule. Plan out how you will balance the content you distribute between in-person and online activities, ensuring that each component contributes to a high-quality learning performance.

3. Identify the right resources

Work out which resources you need for both sides of the training plan. For in-person training, consider necessities like classrooms, instructors, and physical materials. For online training, ensure that you have webinars, digital libraries, educational videos, online courses, and LMS platforms at your fingertips. Carrying out a detailed inventory of the resources you already have, as well as those you need, will help you to better prepare your program.

4. Evaluate your results and apply improvements

Already implemented your b-learning strategy? Now is the time to be objective, and evaluate what went well and what didn’t. Make use of student feedback, analytics and reports to continually adjust and optimize your program.

The tools you need for blended learning

In blended learning, the trainer has several roles – providing content, stimulating learning, energizing the virtual classroom by encouraging participation, and offering personalized help to students based on their specific needs or difficulties.

The good thing is that there are specialized digital tools available to you that can help with this process. Below, we share some of the best with you:

1. Learning platforms

Any company that wants to implement blended learning must have one of the most powerful tools at its fingertips: a learning management system, or LMS. These are used to manage, publish and share learning material with your employees, as well as evaluate the success of their training. It’s therefore important to choose an LMS that is easy-to-use and intuitive, and which allows you to offer a personalized experience.

Ready to discover the leading platform on the market? isEazy LMS combines the latest technology in learning management systems (LMS) with the very best features of a Learning Experience Platform (LXP). With its powerful abilities, you’ll be able to manage all your training projects in a simple and effective way, optimizing individual processes and enhancing the whole user experience. What’s more, our business intelligence module will allow you to visually evaluate and improve each phase of the project.

2. Collaboration tools

B-learning promotes autonomy and self-learning, but it also opens up the doors to collaborative learning. And there are multiple tools available to help with this, which can improve teamwork and stimulate the exchange of ideas, such as Trello, Asana, OneDrive or Google Drive.

3. Authoring tools

Another key set of tools when it comes to implementing a successful b-learning training program are authoring tools. This software makes it easy to create e-learning courses integrating multimedia resources such as videos, images, simulations and gamification.

If you’re looking for an intuitive and easy-to-use authoring tool, then discover isEazy Author. Our AI-powered tool helps you create engaging e-learning courses in just a few minutes, featuring an array of incredible designs, interactive multimedia resources, and even gamification features. Create addictive courses to get your students hooked, both inside and outside the classroom.

4. Communication tools

Finally, tools that facilitate communication such as Google Meet and Discord, as well as chats, forums, blogs and virtual classrooms, can help you to round off your team’s training, and are especially valuable for a hybrid workforce.

Blended learning models for corporate training

As we’ve seen, blended learning is a training method that offers a wide range of possibilities and advantages. There are many models that can be used to implement the strategy, and some of the most commonly used in corporate training include:

Flipped classroom

This approach focuses on stimulating active learning, by sharing educational content (video classes, readings, podcasts, etc.) online with students so that they can explore it in their own time. In-person classes can then be used to clarify concepts, tackle problem-solving exercises, and enjoy practice or debate. This makes for a more efficient use of time, and develops a more participatory learning environment. In essence, it inverts traditional education models, and has students carry out most of the work previously done in the classroom online.

Face-to-face driven

With more similarities to traditional learning, the face-to-face driven model offers in-person classes supported by virtual materials provided by the instructor. In this model, most of the training is carried out in person, and digital resources are used as reinforcement.

Online driven

This model provides all training in a digital format, combining synchronous elements – such as webinars or group video calls – with asynchronous elements such as e-learning courses, videos, games or other multimedia content.

Rotation

As its name suggests, training is rotated in this model so that it is sometimes provided in- person and sometimes online. It is a deliberately programmed blended learning model that gives students a consistent rhythm, but also makes training less monotonous.

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Examples of blended learning: how can it be applied in companies?

We know that blended learning can sometimes appear difficult to understand and carry out successfully. So, let’s take a closer look at some examples of how it can be implemented in practice:

• Within a technology company: This company uses blended learning to train its employees in new technologies. They use in-person sessions to teach fundamental concepts, while providing interactive online courses that allow employees to practice in a simulated environment. This ensures that the company’s tools are consistently up-to-date with the latest innovations, without significantly disrupting productivity.
• Within an international consultancy firm: The firm implements a blended learning model to improve the management skills of its global managers. They offer a set of in-person and practical workshops led by local experts, and complement these with online leadership e-learning courses. This combination allows managers to learn at their own pace (while respecting their demanding schedules), and offers a consistent virtual training experience to all leaders, regardless of their geographic location.
• Within a retail store chain: The store trains its staff in customer service and sales techniques through b-learning. To do this, it combines in-person sessions – where employees can practice customer service skills and sales strategies – with online courses on company policy, product management and operating procedures. This ensures that the entire workforce is in line with company standards, and can consistently provide a high-quality experience to customers.

What are you waiting for? Implement your own blended learning strategy today!

As we’ve seen, b-learning is a fantastic teaching approach if you’re looking to use innovative technological methods without giving up on face-to-face training. As eLearning Industry notes, this technique allows students to “become active learners, critical thinkers and collaborators.”, which is something we all want for our employees.

So, if you’re looking to design your own mixed training program, then we recommend isEazy LMS – the powerful platform that will help you to manage all your training projects, communication channels, and corporate knowledge processes in one place. Get the best of both worlds, and take your corporate training to the next level. Request your isEazy LMS demo today!