Checklist for creating the perfect blended learning experience

Checklist for creating the perfect blended learning experience

• 1.
  Checklist for creating theperfect blended learning experience
• 2.
  Align the learning goals Createa strong project team with senior management buy-in from the outset to ensure the organisational, functional and individual’s learning goals are all aligned. Involve representatives from the target group being trained as well as line managers.
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  Measure success Agree return oninvestment (ROI) measures at the outset to ensure that the impact of learning on the growth of the individual and the organisation can be tracked and evaluated successfully. Such measures will help demonstrate that training is a competitive business tool.
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  Make it learner-driven Thelearner should be at the heart of all activities. Every individual should know what path their training is taking, where they are now and where they need to be to achieve their personal and corporate goals. Tailor the blend accordingly and let learners take personal ownership over the pace they learn, allowing the process to be accelerated where necessary.
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  Engage the learner Rememberthe focus should be about engaging the individual learner as much as fulfilling the organisational brief. Choose a learning environment that is appropriate for the audience. The environment must be stimulating, with e-learning modules, for example, actively engaging the senses. Make sure content is relevant and customised to the learner’s own work realities and challenges.
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  Use a rangeof training interventions Combine ‘bite-sized’ learning events with coaching by line managers, in-house development programmes, on-the-job training and consider using social networking tools to meet clearly specified development needs. Remember, ‘blended learning’ does not mean combining e- learning and face to face training. It means using a whole plethora of learning tools appropriate to the learner and the organisational goals that the training is aiming to achieve.
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  Integrate every element Make sureeach component part of the programme – the pre-course assessment, e- learning and other blended activities, live training event and post-course activity – relate to each other with key content and themes reinforced and enhanced throughout the learning event. Every element should stand up in its own right but be part of a wider learning context.
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  Focus on skills development Blendedlearning is highly effective in taking a set of abstract skills, embedding them in the individual, and enabling these new skills to be applied at work. Developing management skills, managing change programmes, negotiating, selling, and enhancing customer relationships are all disciplines ideal for blended learning.
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  Adopt a flexible approach Regularfeedback – both formal and informal – and a willingness to refine programmes will help ensure that learners are fully engaged and the organisational goals are achieved. There is no ‘one size fits all’ blend – it’s about choosing the most effective channel for the objective, audience and desired outcome.
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  Technology must be theenabler, not the driverDon’t forget, technology must be user friendly and appropriate to the target audience in terms of its functionality, interactivity and ease-of-use. Technology can help in the delivery of personalised content and it can create as close to a live interactive, senses-focused environment as possible. Make sure that the training is people rather than technology led, though.
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  Develop a three waycharter Blended learning works best when there is a charter between training suppliers, internal training personnel and learners. Working in true partnership – with ROI central to the solution – is the most effective way to ensure learning is personalised, relevant and delivers maximum value.
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  Blended learning checklistfor creating the perfect blend 1. Align the learning goals 2. Measure success 3. Make it learner-driven 4. Engage the learner 5. Use a range of training interventions 6. Integrate every element 7. Focus on skills development 8. Adopt a flexible approach 9. Technology must be the enabler, not the driver 10. Develop a three way charter