Blended learning has turned into a trend in the educational world. However, it is not without its share of queries and scrutiny. So, what is a blended learning approach?

Blended learning is a type of educational program that includes both online and in-person learning. The blended learning approach allows learners to view courses and lessons in advance.

Its instructional medium mainly concentrates on using digital tools and techniques, as well as other materials, to produce an output.

Given the magnitude of the gray area accompanying blended learning, common misconceptions are understandable. Here are some of the most popular myths debunked:

Myth 1: There is Only One Approach to Blended Learning

You might believe that blended learning entails having several classroom sessions followed by several eLearning courses, or vice versa. That is the first myth. Microlearning modules, job aids, and social learning can all be incorporated into the training mix. There is a diverse range of both online and offline training techniques available depending on the needs of the learners.

• Begin with an eLearning pre-assessment and work your way up to classroom sessions.

• Begin with ILT sessions and work your way up to eLearning courses for more in-depth instruction.

• You can deliver the course in the classroom while also providing post-training performance support via mobile applications.

• Job tracking, mentoring, and peer mentoring, as well as conferences, seminars, and webinars, can all be included in your blended training programs.

You are free to create your own blended learning content and courses in any way you see fit. More specifically, you can customize your blended learning modules to achieve the best results and meet your learning objectives. You can combine online and offline learning methods to create a one-of-a-kind blended learning cocktail. However, for effective training, your methodologies must be integrated with the learning objectives.

Myth 2: Blended Learning is More Expensive than Other Types of Training.

There is a common misconception that blended learning will be expensive due to the cost of designing online learning elements and providing learners with devices. However, online training is quite often less expensive than instructor-led training because there is a lower need for commuting and time away from some of the other tasks.

In terms of devices, most companies that are using eLearning or blended learning take a BYOD (bring your own device) approach. In other words, the eLearning content they develop can be consumed on any device, allowing learners to use their phones, tablets, laptops, or computers.

In addition, blended learning can help you save money on your training budget in plenty of other ways. For example, you will require fewer (if any) printed materials because everything can be provided digitally, and updating course content is a much easier and faster process.

Myth 3: Blended Learning is Used to Replace Trainers

Blended learning necessitates trainers being fully engaged in the learning journey and knowledgeable about various modes of engagement. This myth holds only when learners are instructed to complete specific tasks on an eLearning system where the course material was pre-designed five years ago and is being taught to the company’s new employees.

A truly blended learning approach, on the other hand, will necessitate even more dedication from trainers. Trainers are involved from the very beginning, from pre-coursework, and post-coursework, to content curation. To maximize learning absorption and retention, trainers must be strategic about how they engage their learners throughout the journey. Furthermore, courses must be personalized based on the composition of each class, eliciting an even greater need for trainers.

Myth 4: For Blended Learning to Work, Learners Must be Tech Savvy

This fallacy is particularly damaging to blended learning. Let’s face it: online learning isn’t rocket science. And misconceptions like these make using an eLearning course appear more difficult than it is.

Although millennials usually do not require assistance when using technology, this might not be the scenario for previous generations who didn’t grow up in a digitally progressive society. Blended learning allows learners to become more comfortable with game-changing tech while also providing opportunities to learn new skills. The online courses are user-friendly and provide quick, simple, and straightforward navigation. Clear instructions are offered to guide learners through the course, ensuring that they learn at their own pace.

Myth 5: Blended Learning is Simply About Delivering Some Content Online and Some Offline

A good blended learning course is more about how you utilize each element to supplement, complement, or support numerous other elements and the course as a whole. So it’s not as simple as selecting some content to be online and some to be offline. Instead, it entails considering how everything fits together, how everything is interconnected, and the layout of the learning journey.

Myth 6: Every Learner Goes Through the Same Learning Process.

Every learner is unique. As a result, even when identical content is delivered, each individual’s journey should be unique. A blended approach can thus be applied to a large number of learners, providing them with the same personalized experience via self-paced and self-directed learning.

Learners can record their observations and feedback on the course content on a digital platform. Trainers can then utilize these learner interaction statistics and feedback and provide customized, detailed feedback to every one of these learners during face-to-face sessions, significantly improving their learning uptake.

Myth 7: Blended Learning is Merely a Transitional Stage Between ILT and eLearning.

While transitioning your course from instructor-led training to eLearning may be difficult, blended learning can help by allowing your learners to become accustomed to online training. However, it is both inaccurate and unfair to suggest that blended learning is just a stepping stone. Blended learning combines the benefits of both online and traditional education. Most importantly, you can tailor blended learning to your organization’s specific employee training needs.

Consider a training program for your sales team to teach them how to promote a new product. Every sales process necessitates both the skill to sell and knowledge of the products being sold. In this particular instance, blended learning covers a part of the sales training via eLearning modules on product specifications and features. Through face-to-face role plays, it can also meet the need for learners to communicate and master the art of selling. 

To achieve thorough and efficient training, a fundamental rule of blended learning is to select the best learning format for each learning goal. The main goal and benefit of blended learning are to help your team transition from antiquated training methods to eLearning. Blended learning is a stand-alone approach that can be effective in a variety of industries.

Conclusión

The flexibility of blended learning is one of the main takeaways from the myth debunking and facts presented above. It can be customized in countless ways based on your needs, objectives, and training topics. This is a big reason why it’s such an effective training strategy. 

Blended learning may sometimes seem unusual and unnecessary at first glance. It can, however, improve your employees’ productive capacity, competencies, as well as their on-the-job efficiency.