In August or September, the start of vocational training begins in many industries. Teachers and companies should start thinking now about how to accompany the new trainees on their journey. Today we introduce you to a way to support training using digital learning methods like blended learning!
E-learning, blended learning, or microlearning – the choice of methods for digital learning seems endless. But don't panic! You don't have to go all out right away; start slowly and take advantage of this year's start of training. After all, digital learning is exciting and new for everyone involved.
Are you wondering how you, as a company, can support your trainees and work even more closely with teachers? We have a few tips:
Blended Learning: The Perfect Entry into Digital Learning
To ease into digital learning methods, blended learning – the mix of face-to-face teaching and digital support in an online course – is the ideal start. For example, accompany school days with extra content in the online course for your trainees. Approach the teachers directly and ask them to provide materials!
Why Blended Learning Makes Sense in Vocational Training
As in later daily professional life, there is often little time during training for apprentices to really concentrate on learning. Balancing vocational school and working in the company is often difficult. Some companies completely neglect the academic aspect of training.
Yet, this part in particular is extremely important so that trainees acquire the necessary knowledge and can offer real added value to your company. Digital accompaniment, perhaps even independent of the school, is the optimal solution. This way, trainees can truly focus on their training.
Blended learning offers the following benefits for trainees – and everyone involved!:
Trainees learn independently of teachers or supervisors.
Trainees organize their learning process themselves and take responsibility.
Trainees can focus on individual strengths and weaknesses.
Trainees exchange ideas directly under the learning content with classmates in the online course.
Teachers and trainers have a better overview of learning progress in the online course and can intervene in good time.
Teachers and trainers can reuse content and do not have to supervise every trainee individually.
Digital skills and the handling of digital media are strengthened for everyone involved!
Blended Learning Models for Vocational Training
Blended learning is the easiest way to slowly approach digital learning methods. To start, you can use the digital phases as additional learning units that also work independently of actual face-to-face classes. However, you can also exchange ideas directly with teachers or chambers of crafts.
Furthermore, Cornelsen eCademy suggests four other models used specifically in the context of vocational training. We have compared the roles of trainees and educators in the following table:
Model | Role of the Educators | Role of the Trainees |
Rotation Model | … determines the structure and flow; content and location are predefined | … must adhere to the curriculum and have little decision-making power |
Flex Model | … primarily provides content and serves mainly as a learning companion and expert | … have full control over the learning process and turn to teachers when needed |
A la Carte Model | … provides all content both in-person and online | … choose for themselves how they want to work through which content |
Extended Virtual Model | … provides content primarily online and offers additional mandatory in-person sessions | … learn mostly online and self-directed, but must participate in individual in-person sessions |
Depending on the training and working hours, different models are suitable – after all, not every training program is the same. The methods presented by Cornelsen primarily refer to the work of teachers, as they are the ones who predefine the learning content.
How Companies Support Their Trainees in Learning
Companies can support their trainees beyond the teacher models mentioned above by sitting down with the responsible teachers and scheduling enough learning time for the digital learning phases. Or they can take over the complete supervision of the digital learning phases; this model is also possible.
Of course, there are already some materials available from the respective Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), but the offer is usually very general and not tailored to individual trainees.
In any case, you should not disregard your trainees! After all, they are supposed to learn something. Actively involve trainees and ask specifically about learning preferences: Do they prefer to learn in one block and need a specific day for it, or would they like to integrate their learning time into their daily work routine?
Reading tip: Would you like to provide content for different learning types? Then read here on how to implement adaptive learning: Adaptive Learning: What Advantages Does the Trend Offer?
Prerequisites for Digital Learning to Work in Vocational Training
As a trainer, you are responsible for the learning success of your trainees, naturally in consultation with the teachers. Nevertheless, they spend most of their time in the companies and do good work there. Therefore, you should meet a few prerequisites so that your trainees can also learn in peace at the company:
Prerequisite 1: Internet Access as a Central Foundation
Not every business has permanently installed computers with internet access. Before the start of training, make sure that at least one device is set up ready for use and accessible to your trainees!
Prerequisite 2: Fixed Learning Times Tailored to the Needs of Individual Trainees
Vocational training involves study effort. To ensure your trainees don't have to study exclusively in their free time, you should plan fixed times during which they can prepare for exams.
Prerequisite 3: A Contact Person for Urgent Queries
Especially your newcomers should be supervised at the beginning. Therefore, provide a dedicated contact person who accompanies your trainee from the company side throughout the entire apprenticeship.
Prerequisite 4: Regularly Remind of Tasks and Learning Content
Trainees sometimes tend to forget their duties. Therefore, remind them regularly of their tasks and sit down with the teachers. This way you have an overview of the current curriculum.
Digital Learning: Tasks for Your Trainees
For digital learning to work in vocational training, your trainees must meet the following three conditions. After all, with blended learning, there is not always a teacher on site to monitor progress.
Digital Access: Your trainees need certain skills to learn digitally. In the best case, they already fulfill these as digital natives; otherwise, teachers and trainers must provide support at this point!
Self-Motivation: Your trainees must want to learn on their own initiative and take care of completing tasks in a timely manner.
Self-Tests: If no teacher is monitoring the learning process of the trainees, they must do it themselves. Regular quizzes and reviews of learning content are a great way to do this.
Conclusion
In vocational training, blended learning combines independent digital learning with the personal guidance that trainees need for sustainable skill development.
As you can see, there are many ways for companies to support their trainees. Take advantage of this year's start of training and begin with digital teaching methods for greater learning success. You can see how blended learning is implemented with blink.it directly in the free test course – have fun learning!
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Why is blended learning suitable for vocational training?
Blended learning combines face-to-face sessions with digital learning units. This allows trainees to work through content flexibly and learn more independently, while trainers and teachers continue to offer personal support.
What benefits does blended learning offer to trainees?
Trainees can organize their learning process more independently, address individual gaps in knowledge, and interact digitally with others. At the same time, trainers can guide learning progress and reuse learning content.
Which blended learning models are suitable for vocational training?
Depending on the training, models such as the Rotation Model, Flex Model, A la Carte Model, or an Extended Virtual Model can be used. They differ primarily in how strictly learning paths are predefined and how independently trainees learn.
What prerequisites do trainees need for digital learning in the company?
Important factors are suitable digital access, fixed learning times, and a contact person for questions. Additionally, trainees should be supported in building self-motivation and self-learning skills.
How can companies integrate blended learning into vocational training?
Companies can offer digital learning phases in addition to vocational school, provide their own learning content, and coordinate with teachers. It is crucial that trainees are given sufficient learning time and that digital learning offerings are meaningfully combined with their practical training.
