With the blended learning method, what remains just a wishful thought in many trainings can be achieved: sustainable learning success. Today, we are introducing you to our 10 golden rules in blended learning. Check your own learning concept now: How many points do you currently achieve?
Blended learning is a learning method about which we at blink.it repeatedly report. The mix of on-site events and accompanying online courses is a hot topic among learning specialists. In conversations, the question repeatedly arises: "What should I pay attention to?"
That’s why today you will learn our top 10 tips – so to speak, the golden rules in blended learning.
These are our 10 golden rules in blended learning
The technology must be as easy to use as possible.
All participants must agree on the goals of blended learning.
The creator should allocate sufficient time for concept and content development.
Everything that does not require direct interaction between participants and trainers is part of the online course.
Each learning unit should be graspable in 2 minutes.
Each learning unit must include a call to action.
The choice of media must be adapted to the target group.
The participant must always know what they need to do next.
In the briefing, the participant must understand their role in blended learning.
The creator should regularly review their own course and adjust it as necessary.
The rules in detail: Tips for you as the creator of blended learning
1. The technology must be as easy to use as possible.
Means: Choose an online platform that is easy to use!
Tip: You will spend a lot of time planning and creating your content – the operation of the technology should not be a hurdle at all. If you can understand the principle of a platform in 5 minutes and create the first simple content in 10 minutes? – Perfect, then you will probably be able to work well with it in the long run.
2. All participants must agree on the goals of blended learning.
Means: Clarify with participants, HR personnel, and all other stakeholders in advance what the participants should be able to do by the end of the blended learning!
Tip: The best way to set goals is to do it together. What this means, you can learn in this blog article.
3. Take sufficient time for concept and content development.
Means: Block out time in your calendar to plan your blended learning!
Tip: Dennis Tröger is an expert in creating online courses. He advises trainers and coaches with little time: "Start with a small topic. If you take 15 minutes each day to record a video, in just one week you will have a small course with five video contents."
4. Everything that does not require direct interaction between participants and trainers is part of the online course.
Means: For each learning unit, consider: Is my presence necessary for this? If not – move the content to your online course!
Tip: On-site sessions are especially suitable for exercises with interaction – such as role plays, but also more in-depth coaching conversations.
5. Each learning unit should be graspable in 2 minutes.
Means: Reduce your content to the core message!
Tip: Two minutes of processing time per learning unit in the online course may sound little. However, this guideline helps you actually focus on what is most important: Your participant cannot process more than one "lesson" at a time. Learn more about the 2-minute concept in this article.
6. Each learning unit must include a call to action.
Means: Always encourage your participant to a small exercise after each content!
Tip: If you always think of a call to action, rule number 5 will also be easier for you. In the learning unit, you convey your knowledge – but without a subsequent exercise, that new knowledge cannot be solidified. In this blog article, you can learn how to achieve a good call to action!
7. The choice of media must be adapted to the target group.
Means: Choose the media for your online course that your participants prefer!
Tip: Generally, a variety of different media is always sensible. Additionally, you should always keep your participants in mind: Will they have difficulty staying engaged with longer texts? Then primarily use videos, images, and interactive elements like quiz questions.
8. The participant must always know what they need to do next.
Means: Make the course flow of your blended learning transparent for your participants!
Tip: A good call to action is half the battle here. However, even during the course of the blended learning, your participant should always know: When should I process the next learning unit? How much time should I plan for the next exercise? This keeps the participant motivated and “carried” from one learning unit to the next. The easiest way to achieve this is to include information about the next learning unit at the end of the previous one.
9. In the briefing, the participant must learn how blended learning works and what their role is.
Means: Give your participant timely access to the online course and inform them in detail about the entire process!
Tip: For your participant, it is most important to know their own role. Therefore, make it clear to them at the beginning that their participation is essential for the success of blended learning. Also, give them tips on how they can divide their learning units and how much time they should approximately expect. You can do this at the beginning of an on-site event. However, even in the online course, you should clarify the purpose and process of blended learning at the beginning in a personal (video) message.
10. The trainer should regularly review their own course and adjust it as needed.
Means: Keep your courses up to date in content!
Tip: A great advantage of blended learning is that you can quickly adapt content as needed. Sometimes the thematic focus shifts or you find, for example, a current video that you want to show to your participants. And here the circle closes again with rule 1: If you find the operation of your online platform easy and even enjoyable, you can easily exchange or supplement content – and then your course will remain lively over the long term!
Now it’s your turn! Blended learning from the participant's perspective
You have some ideas for your own blended learning in mind, but you can’t visualize them properly yet? Then perhaps a perspective shift will help you: First look at an online course for blended learning from the participant's perspective. This way, you can personally experience how quickly you become impatient or when the choice of media might not meet your taste.
Take notes during this experience: Write down your own rules that you want to follow in your first online course for blended learning!
