Blended Learning For 2023 11 Tips To Design It
Table of Contents
Introduction
The term “blended learning” refers to merging many educational approaches, such as traditional classroom instruction with online study and using other digital resources. Even though the concept of blended learning has been around for a while, new developments in digital technology are redefining what it means to have a blended learning experience for today’s learners. Today, creating educational opportunities that layer instruction learning with a wide variety of digital technologies and learning and development (L&D) practices, such as 360 assessment tools, one-on-one coaching, social learning, and virtual reality, to name a few, is the central focus of blended learning.
Learning using a blended approach can be readily segmented into smaller pieces and spread over a more extended period. Because it requires learners to complete pre-work outside of training, the blended method cuts down on overall classroom time. This also means that time in class may be spent on role-playing and other hands-on activities, such as simulations. Blended learning allows learners to access the materials they need to study at the precise moment they need them, which results in the more effective use of both time and resources.
11 Invaluable Tips To Design Blended Learning Courses for Corporate Training
Set up your blended learning objectives beforehand.
It will help you understand your goals before determining what technology to utilize or how to successfully combine the two learning methodologies. What do you want your learners to gain from the blended learning course? Do they need to learn a specific skill? What are the most critical lessons pupils need to learn before they leave the classroom? What are the main aims and objectives of your learning? Every exercise and learning activity you include in your blended learning courses should support these goals.
Detail the use of technology, including when and how.
Not only should you decide what technology, such as laptops, desktops, or tablets, you’ll be using, but also how and when you’ll be using it. How does it fit into your lesson plans? When will it be used as part of your overall blended learning strategy? For instance, would the learners solely use their gadgets at home, or will you use them as an additional teaching tool in the classroom? What key issue or challenge in your teaching approach must technology solve?
Make educational programs that combine the best of both worlds.
The blended learning activities you create ultimately need to flow into one another, whether they are used in a physical or virtual classroom. Why not encourage your learners to watch movies or read articles that will provide them with a step-by-step walkthrough of the procedure involved in the project they will be performing in class? To ensure they are thoroughly prepared before lighting the Bunsen burners, they should research online more about the principles or theories underlying a science project before going to class. You can also nudge them to join online forums where they can interact and share opinions and experiences.
Feedback is crucial!
Speaking of feedback, your learners can provide priceless knowledge of your blended learning plan. To assess the advantages and disadvantages of your blended learning technique, ask them to complete online surveys. To provide them with the best advantage, find out what they appreciate about the blended learning program and what they believe needs to be improved. Additionally, let them know that you appreciate their feedback and offer them a direct line of communication, like an email address or contact form.
To pinpoint areas that need work, use online exams.
Compared to conventional printed tests, the fantastic thing about online assessments is that you can rapidly and easily gather various data. It is possible to determine how long it took your learner to finish the quiz and how much time they spent on each question. Additionally, grading is completed in a matter of seconds, providing teachers more time to offer individualized guidance to their learners. Online tests provide the best chance to pinpoint the areas in which your learners need to grow and access tools to help them turn those problems into strengths.
Provide supplementary materials to help people understand the information.
In a blended learning environment, technology doesn’t have to steal the show; it may be a fantastic source of extra learning materials that boost comprehension and memory. For instance, if a learner is having trouble understanding a particular concept, you can point them in the direction of online publications, videos, webinars, and situations that can help them. However, if a learner is doing well and wants more information, they can advance their education online and using the eLearning resources.
Establish a robust system of learning support.
You can provide more individualized support for your learners by incorporating technology into your blended learning strategy for corporate training. While getting help in person can be very helpful, some students prefer the anonymity of online support. To get answers to their queries and handle their issues, they can write an email, use a contact form, or even leave a message on the forum. Additionally, since they don’t have to wait until they enter the classroom, learners now have access to a more immediate support resource.
Establish a solid corporate trainer support system.
Corporate trainers must adhere to the same support system rule. Before implementing your blended learning plan, confirm that all corporate trainers know how to use technology. If they don’t have much tech experience, provide them with one-on-one help or host workshops to familiarize them with the web tools you’ll use. Additionally, ensure everyone is informed and aware of how the technology will be used.
Before incorporating online exercises, could you give them some thought?
There are differences between various online learning resources. Therefore, you must ensure that an online activity fits the learning goals and objectives before including it in your blended learning strategy. It should also be engaging and participatory. A PowerPoint presentation, for instance, might be an additional teaching tool for your learners, but an interactive scenario might better engage and inspire them.
Make everything simple for everyone.
Integrate online activities that are simple to access and don’t require a high learning curve to keep things simple. The activity will not be helpful to learners if they cannot do it quickly and easily. Every member of your audience, not just the tech-savvy ones, should be able to use the technology you use.
Observe how learners are progressing.
Select a few critical areas, such as a specific skill set or area for improvement, that you want to monitor throughout the blended learning experience. Then, use assessment and learning activity data to monitor learner progress. This can make it easier to monitor quantifiable outcomes, which in turn helps to establish how effective your blended learning strategy is.
Conclusion
The benefits of online and in-person instruction are combined in blended learning. Not only do you profit from the use of synchronous learning, but you also have the opportunity to profit from “go at your own pace” strategies, which are a component of asynchronous learning. This provides you with multiple opportunities to profit from learning. However, if you want to get the most out of blended learning, you should educate yourself on the various blended learning models and how to use them.