Maximising the benefits of In-Person vs. Online Training

Blended Learning

In the fast-paced world of business, staying competitive and ensuring the continuous growth of an employee’s skill set are vital. Modern learners, who desire flexibility, engagement, and individualised learning experiences, are frequently unsatisfied by traditional training methodologies.  A potent option that maximises learning outcomes while accommodating different learning preferences is blended learning.   This is a creative blend of in-person and online training.   In this article, we discuss the idea of blended learning and how it can combine the advantages of both in-person and online training to give workers a well-rounded learning experience.

The Evolution of Learning Methods

The landscape of corporate training has evolved significantly over the last decade.  Traditional classroom-style training, while valuable, has its limitations in terms of scalability, accessibility, and individualization—a stark realisation that came about as a result of the 2020 global pandemic.  Three, nearly four years on, and online learning platforms have gained increased popularity owing to their convenience and their ability to access learning materials at any time, from anywhere, via any device.

However, while standalone online training may lack the interaction and human touch that in-person sessions offer, blended learning bridges the gap between these two methods, offering a comprehensive learning experience that combines the best of both worlds—but what about fostering flexibility and accessibility?

One of the key advantages of blended learning is the flexibility it provides to learners.  In-person sessions can be scheduled strategically for interactive workshops, team-building exercises, and hands-on activities that require physical presence.  On the other hand, online modules allow employees to access content at their own pace, accommodating different learning speeds, styles, and personal schedules. This flexibility not only empowers learners but also ensures minimal disruption to their daily work responsibilities.

So, how do we develop engaging and personalised learning experiences?

Organisations can design interesting and dynamic learning experiences thanks to blended learning’s hybrid approach. A deeper comprehension of the material is fostered by in-person sessions, that allow for real-time collaboration, discussions, and quick responses from hosts and trainers.

To keep delegates motivated and interested, online components also provide multimedia elements, gamification, and self-assessment tools.  Furthermore, recent developments in virtual technologies have increased the prevalence of this capability.  Another key benefit of blended learning is personalisation, which enables staff members to design their own learning courses based on their unique requirements and interests.

What about the cost-effectiveness of learning and it’s scalability?

As we all know, implementing a comprehensive in-person training programme can be costly, especially for organisations with geographically dispersed teams. Blended learning mitigates this issue by reducing the need for extensive travel and accommodation expenses, as various components of learning lend themselves to being delivered online. The level of engagement and retention acquired, however, is subject to the quality of those in the learning design process.  In addition, once this high-quality online content is created, the virtual training materials can be scaled quickly and efficiently to meet the needs of the organisation, regardless of the number of learners, making it a cost-effective solution for both small and large enterprises, regardless of their geographies.

Data-Driven Learning Analytics?

This is without a doubt a real game changer when it comes to working with clients.  If we can harness the power of an organisation’s workforce’s digital behaviour, answering key questions such as What are staff learning? Where are they accessing it from? and in what formats? We can subtly modify user habits across an organisation.

How, you may ask?

Well … Blended learning enables organisations to gather valuable data on learners’ progress and performance. Learning Management Systems (LMS), used in online training, track various metrics such as completion rates, quiz scores, and time spent on specific modules. This data-driven approach provides insights into the effectiveness of the training programme, allowing businesses to refine their learning content and delivery methods continually.  However, before designing and developing your digital content, a decision needs to be made as to the metrics / KPI’s that are to be used to determine success.  What content is being accessed, when, and in what formats? are the key questions to determining what will significantly influence the content design process but also ensure that the instructional content produced meets your learners needs, thus influencing the organisation’s overall performance in various ways.

How can we promote continuous learning and skill retention?

Traditional training methods often suffer from the “forgetting curve” (Ebbinghaus 1854) where learners rapidly forget newly acquired knowledge without reinforcement.  However, blended learning addresses this challenge by incorporating spaced repetition and microlearning techniques to ensure that learners revisit and retain information over a period of time. We must remember that learning is a journey and not a destination.  It takes time, patience, as well as a will and commitment to want to learn new things.

The combination of in-person and online reinforcement activities maximises long-term knowledge retention by promoting a culture of continuous learning within the organisation.  Blended learning, which provides a comprehensive and useful learning experience, is revolutionising the way organisations around the world are currently approaching staff training.

In Conclusion

Organisations can only encourage flexibility, engagement, and tailored learning paths for their employees by fusing the qualities of in-person and online training.  The cost-effectiveness, scalability, and data-driven insights of blended learning also make it a crucial tool for companies looking to maintain their competitiveness and build a trained workforce in the rapidly evolving corporate environment of today.  There are numerous benefits to blended learning, which include but are not limited to:

• Personalised learning experience
• Increased engagement
• Enhanced learner experiences
• You can reply to and execute assessments quickly
• Learners can access content anytime, from anywhere, on any device
• It’s easier for instructors to see how learners are progressing

For those organisations embracing blended learning as part of their digital learning strategy, they are not only seeing improvements in personal performance, but they are also receiving reports of employee growth, career progression, boosts in job-related competence, confidence, and morale, all of which contribute significantly to the overall success of the organisation.