The 2023 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report shared that 58% of learning and development professionals are looking to improve the quality of learning programs, while 49% want to increase employee engagement with learning. 

Blended learning can lead to higher engagement and retention: The report notes that learners are more engaged and more likely to retain information when participating in blended learning programs that incorporate online and in-person training. 

Employees gain knowledge and relevant skills through a mix of on-the-job, social and formal training. By understanding the different types of blended learning models and their benefits, you too can create more effective and engaging employee training programs.

However, designing engaging and effective training experiences that provide a return on investment can be a challenge. This guide will provide you with an actionable step-by-step process to create blended training experiences that combine in-person and online learning for your employees. 

• What is blended learning?
• Why choose a blended learning approach in corporate training? 
• A step-by-step outline to create blended training programs
• Tips & Tricks to make employee training more engaging

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Blended learning is an approach that combines traditional face-to-face instruction with online learning experiences to create a more comprehensive and effective learning experience for employees. In a professional context, blended learning can be used to deliver training and development programs that are flexible, scalable, and cost-effective.

Overall, blended learning is a powerful tool for training and development, and by understanding the different types of blended learning models and their benefits, you too can create more effective and engaging training programs for your employees.

Blended learning has several benefits for learning in work environments, including:

• Rotation Model: This model involves a combination of face-to-face training and online learning, where users rotate between different stations or modes of learning.
• Flex Model: In this model, employees learn at their own pace using online resources, while trainers provide support and guidance when needed.
• A La Carte Model: Employees select online courses or modules to supplement their current job role or skill development.
• Enriched Virtual Model: This model is similar to the rotation model but with more online learning involved. Trainees complete most of their training online but also attend some face-to-face instruction.
• Flipped “Training” Model: Where trainees complete online learning activities before attending face-to-face instruction. This allows for more interactive and engaging training experiences.

Learn more about different Learning Models and how to apply them in your training with our Methodology handbooks.

Now that you understand the value of blended learning in professional environments and know the main models you can use to develop your own courses, let’s look at the steps you need to follow to create and deliver your first blended training program.  

Before designing any training program, it’s important to identify the desired training outcomes by outlining SMART goals. This will ensure training is focused and aligned with the needs of both the employees and the organization.

Once you’ve developed the goals of the training program, identify the blended learning model(s) that best suits your goals. 

• How much of the training will be in-person vs. online?
• What resources are available?
• What approaches are more likely to engage trainees? What approaches are most appropriate for the training program? 

Once you’ve identified the learning objectives and chosen the appropriate blended learning model, you can start developing the curriculum. This should include a mix of online and in-person learning activities that are designed to engage and challenge your employees.

With the curriculum in place, you can start creating the content. It’s important to keep the content engaging and relevant to the employees and to use a variety of formats to cater to different learning styles. Some examples include:

• Video lectures
• Interactive quizzes
• Case studies
• Team projects

Blended learning relies heavily on technology, so it’s important to select the appropriate tools and platforms. Make sure that the technology is user-friendly, reliable, and accessible to all attendees. Some options include:

• Learning management systems
• Video conferencing software
• Interactive whiteboards
• Mobile Apps

In a blended learning environment, the facilitators play a critical role in supporting the learners. Ensure that the facilitators are trained in the use of the technology and the delivery of the content and that they are available to provide support and guidance to the learners.

With everything in place, it’s time to deliver the training. This could involve a mix of online and in-person learning activities, depending on the chosen blended learning model. It’s important to monitor the progress of the learners and to provide feedback and support as needed.

Once the training is complete, it’s important to evaluate its effectiveness. Use this information to make improvements for future training programs. Some ways to measure training effectiveness include:

• Surveys
• Assessments
• Feedback collected from trainees and trainers 
• Data and analytics derived from LMS technology, including completion rates, engagement rates or training hours

Here are some tips and best practices for creating engaging and effective hybrid training experiences:

Blended learning is an excellent way to provide your employees with a comprehensive and effective learning experience that meets their needs and helps them stay competitive in today’s fast-paced world of work. 

At WeSchool, we believe we can create better learning experiences across all environments. This starts with the design of the training experiences themselves.  

By following our actionable steps, you can create tailored blended training experiences that provide a return on investment for your organization from scratch. Why? Because they are engaging by design, and personalized to your objectives and needs.  

We hope this guide has been useful and helps you implement blended learning in your organization. If you need support in delivering your blended training programs, check out WeSchool’s LMS: built to enhance social interactions and deliver blended training through in-person and online learning experiences. 

WeSchool is the all-in-one platform designed for social learning at scale. It helps you train and manage employees in dedicated online spaces designed to make learning more engaging while giving you full control over their learning experiences. 

If you’re looking to build personalized training courses for corporations, WeSchool can be your all-in-one LMS where to design, deliver and collect feedback of your training outcomes. 

Get started today, visit www.weschool.com/get-started/