TRENDS IN TRAINING: BLENDED LEARNING

For many years the primary method of training has been classroom training.  Thanks to the Internet, and the high quality online software, online training is increasingly more popular.  Many people envision online training to be similar to watching a training video on CD-Rom.  Online training is a robust, flexible, interactive learning experience.  Our online training is instructor-led, and our software allows students to interact with the instructor, asking questions and even sharing their files online.

The advantages to online training are significant.  First, there's time savings.  Participants can join an online training class from work or home (or just about any place with an Internet connection).  This translates into cost savings, no travel or per-diem expenses, and less time away from the office.  In 2008, IBM saved $200 million in training expenses.  They provided five-times the training at one-third the cost over pervious methodology, with a ratio of 20% online and 80% classroom (source: 2008 Forrester Study).

But beyond online training, there is an emerging learning strategy called blended learning. Blended learning combines different learning platforms into a meaningful learning environment, using classroom training along with online training and other training resources.

Blended learning allows for a more flexible, customizable, on-demand learning experience that can be embedded into the workflow.  For example, your staff can attend a one-day training class, to be followed-up by two one-hour instructor-led webinars on using those skills in the workplace, reinforcing and tweaking those new skills, and collaborate on new ways to use those skills.

Skills can further be reinforced through access to on-demand self-paced online training.  We can pre- and post-test students using online skill tests to track their knowledge and gauge their process and goal achievement.

Expert trainers can work with management to create a skills training plan that will both increase knowledge and create efficiency.  Blended learning helps create a mindset in your employees that work environment can also be a learning environment.  Plus, blended learning helps get people excited about learning something new, with less stress involved.

Contact Rachel Stone today about incorporating online learning and blended learning into your business plan.