Blended Learning - Old Wine In A New Bottle

Before starting to define the concept of blended				employing instructors, but also creates reusable
learning, its important to know the most				content, and reiterates core messages and
unobtrusive fact about the concept - that it has				concepts to ingrain them in the minds of the
been around in disguise for eons and its				learners. At the same time, the classroom
immortality is undisputable. Simply put, unblended				sessions develop interpersonal skills and the ability
learning is something unimaginable. Learning has				to communicate face to face.
always involved blending of different methods and				Learning through information
only the uninitiated can think of a learning				Material based information is the first coherent
environment where a computer can carry out all				step towards starting a learning program. Web
the aspects of training without the assistance				based material can now be handed to the
from other media. Though this term found entry				learners, thanks to e learning techniques, which
into the e learning jargon only lately, we have				can render the learning program easy to deliver
been using blended learning since time immemorial.				and faster to implement. Making the information
Teachers using different forms of exercises right				accessible all the time will give learners the liberty
from story telling and toys to using charts and				of scrolling through the content at their own
reading aloud for training toddlers are using				convenience, which, in turn, will enhance
blended learning techniques.				understanding and enthusiasm.
Blended learning in corporate training				Learning through interaction
Blended learning fast seems to be replacing e				The learner-instructor, learner-content,
learning in corporate training, if not elsewhere.				learner-learner, and learner-infrastructure
Corporate training programs aim at improving				interactions become all the more important in a
revenue, reducing costs and enhance teamwork in				blended learning environment. Web can assist all
general, rather than focusing on the individual				the above mentioned forms of interaction, which,
development of employees. Learners, too, learn				together, help retain the knowledge that is
with a view to becoming effective at their jobs				acquired through information .Web simulations of
rather than for the sake of increasing knowledge.				real life situations allow learners to apply their
Keeping these trends in mind, blended learning can				knowledge practically, without the possibility of
best address the needs of a corporate training				them affecting your business directly.
program, since different sets of learners require				Learning through collaboration
different delivery methods. The key to enhance				Collaborative learning includes peer to peer
results lies in offering the perfect amalgam of				discussions, conference calls, chat, team rooms
media and delivery as per the requirement of a				and instant messaging. Technology has enhanced
particular program. Learning experiences are				the concept of collaboration manifold, where
categorized into steps in a blended learning model				learners, even though geographically remote, can
and the learner's progression from one step to				communicate in real time. The collaborative
another keeps on building upon the previous				environment also heightens the chances of
learning experiences. This forms a ladder through				collaboration between e learners and subject
which learners keep on climbing rung after rung to				matter experts (SMEs).
blossom into a tree of collaboration from the				Learning through classroom interactions
sapling of education. Organizations have graduated				Conventional, tested and, by far, one of the most
from the basic information exchange level to the				effective approaches to learning, classrooms are
level of expertise - all within scheduled time				the best places to personally connect to peers
frames and fixed costs through blended learning				and instructors. No technology can replace the
techniques. A blended learning model allows the				advantages of this approach, which is exactly
ease of combining either elements from a				why no e learning or blended learning model will
particular level, or complete levels to arrive at a				skip this element for any reason. But, as one
single learning solution. The blend that a company				would like to believe, blended learning has never
selects depends upon various factors including				attempted to replace classroom based learning.
requirements, costs, time on hand and available				On the contrary, technology based learning takes
content.				care of the basic, mechanical and mundane
Basic elements of blended learning				aspects of learning to allow classroom based
Broadly, blended learning models comprise of the				training centre around discussions on already learnt
following elements, mixed in varied proportions				subject matter and behavioral and psychological
according to an organization's requirements.				modifications.
Blended learning can be classified into				Bottomline
Learning through information				Blended learning involves the appropriate blend of
Learning through interaction				varied components including courses, content
Learning through collaboration and				portions, IM pings, blog feedback, and many other
Learning through classroom experiences				things. The ubiquitous problems of speed, scale
E learning technology can be put to good use				and impact associated with most e learning
while learning through information, interaction and				models can be successfully solved by blended
collaboration. This not only reduces cost attributed				learning. Applying blended learning to all your
to enlarged periods of non productive activity on				learning needs will definitely leverage your
the part of the employees, commuting and				organization vis a vis your competitors.

The Col

Blended Learning - Old Wine In A New Bottle