Exploring options for a blended learning approach

  • I'd apply for that great job - if only I had a PC to write my CV
  • I'd learn to swim, if only I lived close to the beach
  • I'd learn Spanish, if only I had the time and resources.

How many times do we limit what we can do by using "if only"? The fact is, we have limited time on this planet, and though we may not consider we have the ideal situation to do new things or learn new things, the reality is, until or unless we take the first step, nothing in our life will change.

How differently will we think when we start to imagine - imagine what life will be like in that job, imagine the experience of being able to swim confidently, imagine making new friends with Spanish people, and enjoying those conversations.

The most successful people also appear to be the most prolific. Actors, politicians, leaders of business, manage somehow, within their own limited time, to publish books, create artworks, diversify into other areas of business and the arts. The reason they manage this is they are able to identify times in every day when they can do these things. Rather than sitting around dreaming of "if only", they take those first steps, and magic happens.

Learning today is as flexible as we need it to be. We can leverage odd times in the day we have free, and use those moments to learn something new - whether through a book, podcast, video or elearning course. This is our purpose - to place opportunities to learn within the reach of everyone.

This site is our testbed for Client elearning developments. Some areas are protected and confidential to a specific Client, others give guest access.


    Available courses

    Blended Induction Example

    Context of the course

    This is an example course, designed on the premise that we do have limited time, yet can choose to use "down times" in our day to learn and prepare. It carries example material relating to a company induction. As we all know, company inductions can be dry, sterile, policy-driven and rather uninteresting. At a time when new recruits should be at their most motivated best (hey, they just got the job, didn't they?), they are made to sit in an uncomfortable room for days or weeks and given "death by PowerPoint".

    So, to counter this "norm", this course is designed as a blend. Yes, there will be some classroom training, but, using an elearning blend, there'll also be opportunities for new recruits to learn and gather information about their new company before they actually join. In fact, even before they are interviewed, on-line learning can be presented to applicants to help make them ready for interview and, in doing this, give them a sense of whether this job is likely to be right for them.

    elearning can also provide assessment capabilities - both in the beginning and throughout the induction course (or any other course, for that matter). And, for those recruits who want to explore topics in more depth, we can offer "additional reading" sections and areas of learning that learners can totally self-direct, based on their specific interests.

    Benefits of this approach

    We can envisage benefits of this blended approach, both for learners and the employing company.

    Learner benefits

    • The learner is prepared - prior to interview, the new candidate can assess if the job is what they thought it was (and therefore if there's a "match"), and can learn aspects of the new company that will help them be more effective through the recruitment process
    • Blended learning = more interest, as learners are not forced down a path of one learning style
    • Element of self-paced learning, meaning learners can learn and reflect on subjects in their own time
    • The learner is in control - tapping into areas of interest and being able to delve deeper into these can give a learner a greater feeling of belonging.

    Company benefits

    • The company can assess suitability quicker and easier by how much ownership candidates take around their own preparation for interview
    • Induction timeline can reduce significantly as some of the learning can happen pre-joining and in the new recruit's own time
    • The cost of training can reduce significantly, as classroom training reduces in the overall blend
    • Machine-scored assessments can provide "proof of learning" information quickly and accurately
    • New recruits can be productive earlier in the employment cycle.

    Diving in...

    Remember, these are examples of different learnings that could be used in a course - in this case, an induction course. This is not the actual induction course of this organisation, nor should be treated as such. It is, however, designed to open eyes to possibilities of blending learning, using combinations of self-directed and course directed learning and assessment, alongside more traditional classroom learning.

    As part of our Client test-bed, this course is always "work in progress" and will adapt and change, depending on current Client work and in-flight innovation. On that basis, though, please do have a poke around, use some of the materials, try a quiz or assessment, and, in the process, learn a little about yourself. 


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