(*Follow-up Notes from the session have been added below)
Session Title: Blended Learning in the Corporate Environment: Getting the Mix Right
Session Number: 225
Room: Coronado F
Day and Timeslot: Monday - 11:15am to 12:15pm
Formats: Discussion
Listen to a Preview PodCast
Session Description: This facilitated discussion will revolve around the increased use of blended learning strategies in the corporate training and learning environments. During this discussion, participants will explore the benefits of the blended learning approach, how technology is changing the ways in which we learn and have the opportunity to share best practices, lessons learned and helpful tips for integrating more blended learning into their curricula.
- Recent trends and technologies in blended learning
- Examples of blended learning in corporate environments
- Best practices and lessons learned using a blended learning approach
Led by: Michael Sunnarborg - Target Corporation
*Follow-up Notes from the Session
October 23, 2007
First, I'd like to thank all of you who attended the session yesterday--lots of good ideas, great energy, and excellent collaboration. I wanted to post some of the notes that we created during the (very) short one-hour discussion, and I thank Cindy for her help as our scribe.
Second, I'd like to invite all of you--both those who attended the session as well as those of you connecting online--to continue this discussion as I take my experience over to Target India over the next 12 months. As you can well imagine I will be working virutally now more than ever, so my cybercontacts will be my main connections. Let's stay connected! I can share with you my experiences working with the Indian culture and you can ask me questions or feed me advice. This can help all of us to continue building those global bridges for education and learning.
Okie dokie! (...can you tell I'm from Minnesoooota? :o) On with the session notes.
I took a few minutes to warm up to the topic by explaining that the term "blended learning" may be a recent buzz word, but the blended learning approach has always been around (think of grade school: the chapter reading paired with the movie or filmstrip...)--we are now learning to integrate more technology into our training and learning, but we've always been drawing from multiple sources of information and appealing to basic human senses. We also need to be cognizant of the basic questions: Who? Why? What? Where? How? When? as we design our blended learning strategies. Partner with your clients/internal customers and collaborate in the training design and development process as early as possible for maximum success.
Initial brainstorm: What terms come to mind when you hear the words "blended learning"?
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e-Learning
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podcasting
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virtual (ILT/Conferencing/Classroom/Webinar)
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proficiency
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sandwich (i.e., ILT, e-Learning, follow-up discussion; use multiple ingredients)
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simulation (reinforces the learning)
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feedback
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mentoring/coaching
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toolkits for learning continuum
We split-up into 6 groups and began discussions about using blended learning strategies within our respective organizations. Each group was tasked with gathering best practices (what "works") as well as lessons learned (what "doesn't work"). The groups reported back one example of each. Here are the top results reported by each group:
* Top Best Practices
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Teach to the job (know your audience)
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Explain the "why"? (WIIFM and WNIIFM) [What's In It For Me and What's Not In It For Me]
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Make foundational knowledge available and accessible
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Good blending of locations (geographically dispersed)
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Tools (i.e., Wiki) for pre-work and follow-up (including new info)
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Use familiar and appropriate context in e-Learning (i.e., office building if office training)
* Top Lessons Learned
- Watch for the "If you build it they will come..." fallacy
- Clarify your desired results after implementation
- One size does not fit all
- Determining mix considering all factors (be aware of "too many options")
- Technology competency of learners (computer literacy)
- Too many webcasts (too much of anything isn't a good thing - find the balance!)
We ended the session with a few wrap-up comments and remarks.
I hope that this discussion gave you some good food for thought about designing and deploying your customized blended learning solutions. Remember to always keep your audience in mind and be sure that you remember why you are providing training as a solution (business need? compliance? information? influencing a behavior change?), and choose your resources and options accordingly.
My best wishes to all of you for your continued success!
Michael Sunnarborg
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