Blended Learning Basics

The following points very briefly outline the basics of blended learning:

• 1. Blended Training (BLT) is a type of learning program wherein theoretical information is learned first via Computer-Based Training (CBT) and then its application is learned via Instructor-Led Training (ILT).

  2. As the name suggests, BLT is a "blend" of both ILT and CBT, not ILT or CBT. The latter is just multi-modal training. In BLT, ILT and CBT complement each other, whereas in multi-modal training, they supplement each other.

  3. Providing a PDF version of all the screen content along with the CBT is also not BLT—the document is just an accessory.

  4. BLTs are the mode of choice when the customer faces one or more of the following challenges:

     1. The training is a skill-development program, with the subject matter comprising both theoretical (“knowledge-level”) and procedural (“application-level”) information.

     2. Theoretical content is vast and takes a longer duration to learn.

     3. Theoretical content is relatively static and does not change in the short term.

     4. Procedural content is prohibitively expensive to be delivered via technology—through simulations.

     5. The trainers/ SMEs are expensive and/or hard-pressed for time.

     6. Trainer SMEs want to maintain high self-motivation levels by restricting their availability only for coaching trainees on procedures, and not for teaching basic theories.

     7. Trainers feel insecure about losing their jobs to e-learning.

  5. When designing BLT courses, the typical blend of CBT:ILT = 70:30.

  6. BLT = 70% CBT + 30% ILT

  7. BLTs are sequenced with the CBT component first and the ILT component last.

  8. In the CBT component of BLTs, only theory and knowledge checks (as MCQs and MLQs) are included. The demonstrations (“Show Me”) and simulations (“Try Me” and “Test Me”) are presented as labs by the trainer/ SME.

  9. Blended learning is best achieved when the successful completion of the CBT is set as the entry criterion for the ILT—the learner has to pass in the post-assessment of the CBT in order to take the ILT.

Did you find this resource page useful?

Post your comment here.