The benefits of blended learning are no more a secret. The practice of combining the best parts of classroom training and online instruction is a pocket-friendly way to enhance the effectiveness of your training initiatives.
With that said, there is a variety of blended learning environments that are suited to various training situations. Choosing the right one can make or break the results of your blended learning efforts.
Here’s a quick guide to the most commonly identified blended learning models:
Face-To-Face Driver
The face-to-face driver blended learning model is targeted at learners that display unusual learning performance.
Learners that are either better than the group or on the other end of the spectrum, display a slower learning pace than the rest of the training group, are provided with extra training material online.
The online aspect of this type of blended training is usually self-paced and is aimed at either filling the gaps of classroom training or to expose extraordinary learners to a more advanced curriculum.
Rotation
The Rotation Model is perhaps the most commonly used, and the most straightforward form of blended learning.
Under this approach, learners are made to “rotate” between online and instructor-led sessions at predetermined intervals.
The objective here is to accommodate the different learning styles of students and provide variety in the mode of instruction.
Flex
The flex model, as the name suggests, puts more emphasis on the self-guided, online aspect of blended training.
The training material is made available to the students on an online medium, which they are free to consume at their own pace.
Throughout the duration of the course, students have real-time support of an in-class instructor to help them navigate through the course content.
Online Lab
The online lab model is quite similar to the flex model. Under this model, students are provided with online, self-paced learning material.
However, unlike the flex training model, there is no instructor involved with the online lab model. The student is completely responsible for their own learning.
For the “offline” aspect of this model, students are expected to travel to a computer lab controlled by the course administrators in order to complete the coursework, assignments, and assessments.
Self-Blended
The self-blend model of learning works best for scenarios where the learners are highly motivated individuals.
In this scenario, learners are offered optional learning opportunities to acquire new skills at their own pace. These courses offer learners the opportunity to go beyond what is being taught through instructor-led sessions.
In other words, the self-blended learning model offers students to learn additional skills that may or may not be relevant to the training that they are already receiving.
Online Driver
The online driver model, as the name suggests/leans towards online delivery of training. Under this model, students are provided with complete flexibility to consume online training content at their own pace.
While there are online instructor-led sessions coupled with self-paced training, these are optional in most cases. The approach does allow students to get in touch with an instructor in case they find themselves struggling with a particular topic being covered in the training.
Conclusion
While blended learning models have you applied to your organization? Have they driven the kind of results you were expecting? Share with us in the comment section below!