Organizations perceive the necessity for employee training as increasingly critical. Therefore, they invest heavily in learning and development programs to ensure their teams are equipped with the required skills. However, striking a balance between traditional classroom coaching and modern online learning methods is also not easy. This is where blended learning solutions step in. By marrying the best of both contact and online learning environments, organizations can ensure an integrated training program that leverages the best aspects of each for maximum impact and engagement.
In fact, a poll of companies conducted for Training’s 2021 Training Industry Report found that 43% of training hours were conducted using blended learning approaches, an increase from 23% the previous year. In addition, 56% of people who took the survey intend to have some classroom instruction again while keeping some of the online courses they used during the pandemic.
Blended Learning: The Future of Employee Training
Blended learning solutions are a hybrid approach to training, fusing the efficiency of face-to-face instruction with online learning platforms. This trend is on the rise simply because it meets the diverse expectations of modern learners, giving them the opportunity to enjoy the hands-on nature of in-person training while being flexible enough for today’s digital content. Recent studies have shown that organizations adopting blended learning strategies have seen a tremendous increase in employee engagement and retention rates.
Therefore, online learning platforms have revolutionized the mode of delivering training. These tools, which include videos, quizzes, and interactive modules that can be accessed at any time and from any location, prepare participants for more rounded and effective learning when used in conjunction with classroom sessions. For instance, workers might study electronic content at their own pace before attending a workshop, therefore better preparing them for that workshop.
The Benefits of Combining In-Person and Online Learning
Blended learning solutions provide several benefits that make them an attractive option for companies looking to enhance their training programs:
- Flexibility: Online learning platforms allow employees to access training materials at their convenience. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for organizations with a global workforce, as it accommodates different time zones and work schedules.
- Personalization: Blended learning allows for a more personalized approach to training. During in-person sessions, employees can focus on areas for improvement while still participating in group activities.
- Cost-Effectiveness: By reducing the need for extensive travel and accommodation expenses associated with traditional classroom training, blended learning solutions can be a more cost-effective option for businesses.
- Enhanced Engagement: Combining online and in-person learning keeps employees engaged by providing a variety of learning experiences. Interactive digital content, such as videos and quizzes, complements the hands-on activities of classroom sessions, resulting in a more dynamic and engaging learning environment.
- Improved Retention: Studies have shown that blending different learning methods can improve knowledge retention. Employees are more likely to remember and apply what they have learned when they have multiple ways to engage with the material.
Crafting a Blended Learning Strategy That Works
Blended learning solutions require a great deal of detail and a very clear understanding of what the organization wants to achieve with training. Here are some steps to help you formulate an effective strategy in blended learning:
- Assess Training Needs: Identify the skills and knowledge your employees need to develop. This will help you determine the right mix of online and in-person learning activities.
- Select the Right Tools: Choose online learning platforms with features and content that align with your training objectives. Look for platforms that provide interactive modules, assessments, and tracking capabilities to monitor employee progress.
- Design Engaging Content: Create a balanced mix of digital and face-to-face content that is both informative and engaging. Ensure that the online materials are easy to access and navigate while the in-person sessions are interactive and hands-on.
- Pilot and Evaluate: Conduct a pilot test with a small group of employees before rolling out the program to the entire organization. Gather feedback on what worked well and what could be improved. Use this feedback to refine the program before a full launch.
- Monitor and Adapt: Blended learning is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Continuously monitor the effectiveness of your training program and be prepared to make adjustments as needed. Regularly update the content to keep it relevant and engaging for your employees.
The Role of Online Learning Platforms in Blended Learning
Online learning platforms form an excellent basis for successful blended learning solutions. They provide the digital infrastructure for the delivery, tracking, and assessment of content. They also offer flexibility in terms of what can be incorporated, from videos, quizzes, and discussion forums to collaborative projects.
Using the needs of your organizations and employees as a basis of choice, every online learning platform should be user-friendly, offering a range of features to support your blended learning strategy. It should also be able to integrate with other systems you might already be using and scale up easily as your training needs evolve.
Apposite Learning’s Blended Learning Solutions
For over a decade, Apposite Learning has been at the forefront of developing effective blended learning solutions for leading, global organizations such as Microsoft, PwC, and Deloitte.
Key to Apposite Learning’s approach is the inclusion of online learning platforms in addition to traditional classroom training. By using their AI-enabled learning management system, Acume, along with other digital interventions like ARC, Apposite Learning, weaves learning into a seamless continuum of experience that meets the specific needs of a particular client.
For example, Apposite Learning recently built a blended learning program for a multinational corporation. This approach combined online modules, virtual classrooms, and workshops to achieve results. This approach has enabled the company to effectively scale employee training across different regions while maintaining high engagement and knowledge retention levels.
Final Thoughts
As business demands continue to change, it’s necessary for employee training to change as well. Blended learning offers an affordable yet interactive environment for equipping employees with the skill sets they need to meet effectively the ever-changing needs of business. By combining the best from traditional and online learning environments, one could create a comprehensive training experience for an organization that provides the best outcome possible.
Apposite Learning’s expertise in crafting blended learning solutions has helped some of the world’s largest organizations achieve their training goals. Through experience and innovative tools, businesses are able to craft a uniquely personalized learning experience tailored to their workforce’s needs, paying dividends long after on overall success.
Want to learn more about how our blended learning solution helps organizations? Contact the experts at Apposite Learning.