Blended learning is taking off worldwide as the most pragmatic corporate training option, boosting productivity, enhancing retention and bolstering the bottom line. This is the report from Ricky Robinson, MD of Learning Resources.
"Blended learning is a hybrid approach to the challenging issue of corporate training," says Robinson. "In essence, it helps employees improve their skills and knowledge by supplementing classroom training with online instruction."
Blended learning is a learn-by-doing approach, incorporating printed text and classroom-based training with online content, simulations and mentoring. It allows a rapid roll-out of vital skills and knowledge to employees, at lower cost than traditional instructor-led methods. It also lends itself to just-in-time training, ensuring employees acquire skills and knowledge as and when they need them. Crucially, it ensures training is in line with world-class requirements and best practice.
Learning Resources is the sole distributor in SA for the e-learning, assessment and printed range of solutions from NETg, now part of the global company Thomson Learning. Thomson Learning recently completed a survey across 128 employees at varied organisational levels worldwide in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, retail, and manufacturing over a period of two years, from 1999 to 2001.
The survey* showed blended learning produced a 159% leap in employee performance compared to the exclusive use of either classroom or online instruction; and accuracy of performance increased by 30% while speed of performance climbed 41%.
Candice Phelan, director of Lockheed Martin`s Learning Services, hailed the study: "We have been experimenting with blended learning, intuitively thinking it would support increased workplace performance. Having the study results will now enable us to move out confidently, basing our actions on stringent empirical results."
Specifically, the study showed that significant increases in performance can be achieved with blended learning based on scenario-based exercises aligned with learning objects and integrated with the use of actual software, live online mentoring, and other support material.
Blended learning lends itself to customisation, good news for companies wanting to adapt generic courses to their specific requirements, Robinson adds.
"South African companies are requesting programs customised to their company and industry," he says, "which is relatively easy to do with online content."
The potential market for blended learning is huge: US-based Training magazine reports that corporate employers spent $57 billion on training, up 5% over 2000.
"The enhanced focus on growing people`s abilities is in line with management`s insight that an investment in human capital impacts significantly on profitability," notes Robinson.
General Motors is leading the way in the delivery of blended learning: GM`s electronic education of employees has grown from under 1% of hours taught in 2001 to 14% in 2002, with 25% expected in the near future. It reported 75 000 Web enrolments for its 1 500 courses in 2001.
In line with the requirements for blended learning, Thomson has merged three of its units - NETg, Wave Technology and Course Technology - into a single business entity to meet corporate demand for blended learning. The combined companies offer a range of learning solutions, including e-learning products, tools and services, technology certification products and programs, books, instructor-led materials and online textbooks.
* "Thomson Job Impact Study: The Next Generation of Corporate Learning" was developed and conducted in collaboration with Lockheed-Martin; NCR; Utah State University; University of Limerick, Ireland; Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Minnesota; Executive Service Corps of Chicago; and KnowledgePool.
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