Employee training should be critical to any organisation that wishes to join the league of high-performance companies worldwide. It is also crucial for employees’ professional development because when business leaders ask “why should we train our people?”, our response is ‘why should you not train them?”
The concern for many leaders is that their employees may eventually leave the company after being trained, but if they stay and are not equipped with the right skills to achieve and surpass set organisation goals, how would your company grow?
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When researching learning and employee development strategies to adopt, most organisations are used to instructor-led training conducted in a classroom. However, as the business environment continues to evolve rapidly, there is now the need to employ a more effective HR training and development strategy.
This is why the blended learning approach is being adopted for employee training and development by HR and learning professionals. A few reasons for it is because:
- Traditional classroom learning is not effective for upwardly mobile executives who do not always have the time to sit through a physical session.
- The global pandemic of 2020 expedites remote work, and teams would not always have the luxury of in-person instructor-led classroom training.
- The cost implication, logistics, and limited access associated with training within classroom walls present a challenge for organisations.
You might be wondering, what is a blended learning approach? Let us get into that, and please read on.
What is Blended Learning Approach?
The term “blended learning” is a model of education that combines traditional training methods like face-to-face or classroom learning with mobile or online learning (eLearning) for employee training and development.
This approach to learning has been made possible by digital and technological advancements. When implemented rightly, it can improve employee engagement and collaboration and other desired learning outcomes for an organisation and its employees.
The blended learning method corrects the gaps in traditional teaching that do not work for all students. It helps organisations implement a bouquet of the best available strategies because of features like having a mixture of elements for offline and online training. It is also a more natural way to learn from anywhere conveniently.
Introducing a blended learning approach in your organisation’s employee training and development plan can enable you to cater to the varying needs of different staff categories. Now, let’s take a look at the benefits of a blended learning approach in the workplace.
Benefits of Blended Learning in the Workplace
It is Cost-Effective
Every organisation explores different measures to reduce its costs, and blended learning can make this happen. Unlike teaching within the four walls of a classroom that requires instructors’ payment and other costs associated with logistics, accommodation (where required) and maintenance of the teaching environment, Blended learning can be delivered anywhere, thereby reducing cost.
Blended Learning is Flexible
Blended learning eliminates the limitation that defines the transfer of knowledge from a confined location. It is more convenient for all parties involved, and trainees can access materials, documents, and information from wherever they are.
The flexibility of a blended learning approach also allows learners to learn at their own pace and convenience. They can repeat courses as often as they want for better learning retention without the pressure to keep up with other trainees. Employees can also enjoy learning in a habitat that is suitable for them and facilitates knowledge assimilation.
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It Encourages Interaction
A blended learning approach encourages and improves trainees participation because it is less intrusive and with the aid of technological tools, it fosters improved engagement of trainees. As a result, communication and feedback are fast-tracked and optimised for an individual’s personality. Improved feedback also enables course and learning optimisation.
Training Progress is Easily Tracked
Business leaders, HR managers, instructors and administrators can track the progress of each employee, it’s easier and faster to identify those who have completed a course and those who haven’t. With the right tools, a blended learning approach would also provide insights on your new learning abilities, strengths and weaknesses.
Such data can help you develop a learning path for other employees in the same or similar roles within your organisation and provide a learning path to optimise their improvement.
Enables Gamification and Makes Learning Fun
Like the famous saying goes “laughter is the best medicine”, and according to reports 33% of employees who attended corporate training say that uninspiring content that they have to contend with is the most significant barrier to learning.
A blended learning approach allows you to gamify employee training, tapping into their natural tendencies as humans for competition, achievement and collaboration to make learning more fun and increase their interest throughout each course module.
Enhance Continuous Learning. Meet Your Training Goals. Transform Your Organisation With Custom E-learning Solutions.
At Workforce Group, we believe in the power of the right blend of digital learning and face-to-face training to inspire continuous and collaborative learning in your organisation.
We leverage our creativity with the latest technologies to tailor bespoke eLearning that meets your business needs across various learning programmes such as:
- Induction and Onboarding
- Risk and Compliance
- Corporate Culture & Values Alignment
- Product/Service Knowledge and many others.
Our custom eLearning Content Development Services utilise the full potential of microlearning content, animations and game-based learning to create meaningful and measurable experiences for your learners.
Ready to leverage our content conversion experience and expertise to transform your people with custom e-learning courses? Click here!
