Transforming Class Room to Blended Learning

The digitization has revolutionized the educational landscape, and companies are faced with the challenge of adapting their training and educational programs to modern learning needs. Blended Learning has proven to be an extremely effective method for combining the advantages of digital education with personal interaction. In this article, we will illuminate the steps through which companies can transform numerous in-person training sessions into Blended Learning pathways. Additionally, we will highlight the benefits of Blended Learning, such as cost savings, flexibility, and improved adaptation of different learning formats to pedagogical needs.

Advantages of Blended Learning

Cost Savings: A significant advantage of Blended Learning is the substantial cost savings compared to pure face-to-face training. Companies need to invest less in travel expenses, accommodations, and printed materials. This allows for more efficient utilization of training budgets.

Flexibility: Blended Learning provides employees with the flexibility to integrate their learning into their daily work routines. They can consume learning materials at their convenience, enhancing productivity and reducing workloads.

Improved Pedagogical Adaptation: Blended Learning enables companies to better tailor training content to individual employee needs. Various content can be presented in different formats to optimize the learning process.

Increased Engagement: Blended Learning often incorporates multimedia elements, interactive activities, and online discussions, which can significantly enhance learner engagement. These interactive components make the learning experience more immersive and enjoyable, leading to better retention of information.

Customized Learning Paths: Blended Learning allows for the creation of personalized learning paths. Learners can choose the sequence and pace of their learning, focusing on areas where they need more time and practice. This customization caters to individual learning styles and abilities, resulting in a more effective learning experience.

Get to know TCmanager®, the LMS dedicated to Blended Learning

How to transform extensive Seminars

Assuming a large company has developed a variety of different courses and training programs over the years.

Ohe first step in converting these programs into Blended Learning formats is to include with training staff within the transformation process. These employees possess the necessary pedagogical knowledge to design effective Blended Learning programs.

They are capable of identifying the segments of classroom training that would benefit from conversion into another format, thereby enhancing the overall learning outcomes.

Breaking up an originally extensive classroom course into different learning formats for increased

flexibility
efficiency
economy;

Learning formats and their Advantages

The following table demonstrates that various learning formats offer distinct pedagogical and didactic advantages. The selection of the appropriate format depends on the learning objectives, participant needs, and available resources.

During the transformation of in-person training into Blended Learning pathways, these benefits can be purposefully leveraged to create effective and engaging learning programs.

Learning Format

Advantages

In-Person Training, Seminars, Classroom Courses

Direct interaction between trainer and participants
Immediate feedback
Opportunity for group discussions
Focused and structured learning environment

E-Learning Modules,
Web-based Trainings (WBTs)

Self-paced learning
Flexibility in learning pace and location
Repetition and deepening of content possible
Interactive elements like quizzes and simulations

Webinars

Real-time interaction with experts
Opportunity for questions and discussions
Recordings for later use
Targeted focus on specific topics

Self-Study Phases

Individual deepening of knowledge
Time flexibility for participants
Encourages self-motivation and self-responsibility

In-Person Workshop

Intensive, hands-on exercises
Collaborative learning and knowledge sharing
Trainer support for complex topics

Pre Tests / Final Tests

Assessment of entry requirements or learning progress and final learning outcomes.
Ensuring competency acquisition.
Feedback for participants and content adjustments.

Addressing Challenges during Transformation

One of the challenges when restructuring existing training programs is the need to preserve the respective qualification profiles that have already been validated and tested.

Additionally, the new blended learning paths and their corresponding qualification profiles must align with learners' historical data and mandatory training intervals.

Moreover, additional course units, regardless of their learning format, necessitate specific resources, such as course equipment, instructors with particular skills, rooms of specific size and layout, and more. Ideally, the LMS immediately provides automated resource planning during (appointment) scheduling.

The assistant supports the training staff step by step in entering the metadata of the individual modules of the learning path.

First, one of the predefined learning path templates is selected. These learning path templates are created according to company-specific requirements. The assistant generates a corresponding sequence of suitable input screens.

This also includes capturing specific details, such as regional restrictions or extensions, as well as optional learning units.

The process concludes with a plausibility check.

Summary

The transformation of numerous in-person training sessions into Blended Learning pathways requires careful planning and collaboration with the training staff.

The input of metadata into the LMS is a task that requires time and accuracy. Therefore, it makes sense to delegate this task to the product owner or training personnel responsible for designing the respective training product. TCmanager® LMS can be completed with a dedicated assistant developed for this purpose assists with structured data entry and concludes with a plausibility check.

However, the benefits of Blended Learning, such as cost savings, flexibility, and improved pedagogical adaptation, are well worth the effort. With a structured approach and the utilization of technology, companies can develop more efficient and effective training programs that meet the needs of today's learners.