The concept of blended learning has been around for several decades, but it’s only in the last few years that it has entered the mainstream. Blended learning concepts are now being utilised in schools, colleges, and workplaces around the world. But what is the official blended learning meaning, what are the benefits of blended learning, and is it something you should incorporate into your business or life?

What is blended learning?

Blended learning is part of a new wave of hybridisation that combines traditional methods with a more high-tech approach, giving it its alternative name, “hybrid learning”. It is perhaps best understood in the context of hybrid working, something that we’ve all become very familiar with over the last few years.

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Just as hybrid working blends high-tech online systems (including the Flexopus desk sharing software) with a traditional workplace setting, blended learning gives employees access to interactive online systems without eliminating the traditional classroom setting.

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Blended learning is often associated with school classrooms, with prime examples being courses that teach students using traditional methods while also giving them access to interactive quizzes, games, and educational videos via tablets and computers. But its uses extend far beyond the classroom, with many corporate entities now using blended learning to teach their employees and ensure they’re up to date with the latest regulations and industry best practices.

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Blended learning is…

• An education system that combines traditional learning and e-learning
• Used by schools, higher education, and companies
• Available across several different models
• Becoming increasingly popular as educators seek greater efficiency
• Potentially beneficial for both the student and educator

4 types of blended learning

There are actually more than 4 types of blended learning, but there are typically 4 that people focus on above all others, including:

1.  The flipped model

As the name suggests, the flipped model takes the traditional learning structure and flips it. Employees begin the learning process remotely using online courses, webinars, video conferencing, and onine discussions, among other things. They then attend classes where they can discuss what they have learned and complete exercises with a view to reinforcing what they have learned.

2. The rotational model

The rotational model takes aspects of all blended learning models and rotates them for an all-encompassing educational experience. For instance, they may begin with face-to-face learning before switching to classroom learning and then online courses. Rotations can be fixed to a specific schedule or based on employee progression.

3.  The face-to-face driver model

The closest thing to traditional learning, the face-to-face driver model directly connects employees with instructors, often through video conferencing software. As it’s an individualised approach, it’s more taxing for the instructor and more beneficial for the employee, making it ideal for employees who are lagging behind or need the sort of fast-track approach that personalised learning can deliver.

4. The flex model

The flex model takes a more flexible approach to blended learning by letting employees dictate the schedule. They have access to online educational systems and in-person support and can use them as and when needed. If they prefer a single approach, whether because they find that they learn more or simply because it’s easier to add to their schedule, they can devote more of their time to that aspect. As a result, they learn faster and with less resistance.

Advantages and disadvantages of blended learning

What are the benefits of blended learning? Are there any disadvantages? Well, it’s not a straightforward question to answer. It will largely depend on whether you’re approaching the subject from the perspective of an employee or employer, as well as the type of model that you implement.

Broadly speaking, these are the main advantages and disadvantages of blended learning:

Advantages:

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• Combines the best of both traditional learning and e-learning
• Accounts for the needs of employees who may struggle in a traditional educational setting
• It can be customised to suit the needs of employees and adapt to the goals of the organisation
• Blends various learning strategies (including visual and auditory) to improve knowledge retention
• Cuts company training costs
• Promotes training feedback, making it easier to adapt the courses
• Allows employees to learn at their own pace
• Provides a degree of flexibility for everyone involved

Disadvantages:

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• It can be harder to organise than traditional educational programs
• There may be technical issues that interrupt employee progress
• There are fewer social interactions, which can hinder team bonding

How to encourage blended learning as an employer

There are clearly more benefits of blended learning than disadvantages. So, if you have decided that it’s a good fit for your organisation, how do you convince your employees to get involved?

Here are a few tips that can help:

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• Adopt a phased approach and gradually introduce them to the concept
• Make e-learning available to them and let them choose when to use it
• Encourage employees who use e-learning to discuss their experiences
• Listen to any criticisms and use them to adapt your systems and overall approach
• Assist your employees in using the software and sticking to their schedules
• Provide IT support as needed