Blended learning takes several different learning methods and uses them all in one coherent strategy. Historically for many organizations, this included online methods of learning in combination with face-to-face teaching for an integrated learning experience. Blended learning remains an important strategy for learning and development, but looks different now that in-person, instructor-led training (ILT) has dramatically been reduced due to the pandemic.
Why is blended learning important?
Blended learning helps to address the learning needs and styles of all learners by making learning accessible in a number of different ways. In addition to classroom sessions led by instructors, blended learning offers other ways to experience learning, some at the users’ own pace. Different learning methods are more useful for teaching different concepts, and blended learning helps learners engage with the material in several different ways, which can increase retention and understanding.
What makes up a blended learning experience?
To promote learner engagement, support all learning styles, and work towards all learning objectives, blended learning includes a number of different methods, including:
- Virtual Instructor-Led Training (vILT): In a pre-COVID world, in-person instructor-led training was a predominant part of blended learning strategies. Over the last several months, Ardent has worked with clients to help transition to virtual instructor-led training. This ensures that there is still expert-led guidance available for learners and provides best-in-class technology and proven instructional design principles to support learners through their journey.
- eLearning: Dynamic and immersive eLearning experiences can support interactivity, including adaptive simulations, branching scenarios, and immersive game-like experiences.
- Mobile Learning: Similarly, mobile learning provides custom content for mobile devices, offering learners access to content whenever and wherever they choose.
- Microlearning: Focusing on short and concise learning modules or activities that boost learner engagement and knowledge retention, microlearning is perfect addition to a blended learning plan to help learners understand complex topics or cover in-depth training material over time.
- Reference Materials and Job Aids: During in-person training and learning sessions, organizations will often provide performance job aids, like infographics, leave-behinds, quick reference cards, and reference guides. These reference tools support on-the-job performance by providing learners with quick and easily accessible information on key tasks and behaviors. If in-person events aren’t being conducted at the moment, you can still send these valuable materials as attachments in emails or through links to shared drives.
- Virtual and Augmented Reality: VR and AR are immersive technologies that create simulated scenarios, enabling learners to focus on skill refinement through simulated practice sessions, going beyond traditional role-playing.
- Video: Videos are a good supplement for learning and can help explain concepts or principles easily for visual learners, and they’re effortlessly distributed for remote teams. Ardent develops several different types of videos, including explainer videos, motion graphic animation, and tutorials to help round out a learning strategy.
A blended learning experience is a truly custom learning experience, using all of the tools and techniques that can help best support your business’s specific goals and the learning needs of your employees.
Our team has decades of experience in helping businesses transition through effective custom learning solutions. Whether you’re looking for more information about how to convert your instructor-led training to a virtual instructor-led format, or you want to discover the right blend of elements for your learning and development strategy, get in touch today.
