In August or September, many industries begin the training start for 2022. Educators and companies should now consider how to accompany the new trainees on their journey. Today, we present to you an option on how you can support training with 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 start off full throttle; start slow and use this year’s training start. After all, digital learning is exciting and new for everyone involved.
Are you wondering how your company can support your apprentices and collaborate more closely with educators? We have some tips:
Blended Learning: The Perfect Introduction to Digital Learning
To get accustomed to digital learning methods, blended learning – the mix of in-person teaching and digital support in online courses – is the optimal start. For example, enhance school days with extra content in the online course for your trainees. Speak directly with the educators and request materials!
Why Blended Learning is Useful in Training
As in their later professional lives, there is often little time in training for apprentices to really concentrate on learning. The balancing act between vocational school and work in the company is often difficult. Some companies completely neglect the educational aspect of training.
However, this part is particularly important so that trainees can acquire the necessary knowledge and provide real value to your company. Digital support, perhaps even independent of the school, is the optimal solution. This way, the apprentices can really concentrate on their training.
The following advantages blended learning offers for trainees – and all participants!:
Trainees learn independently of instructors or supervisors.
Trainees organize their learning process themselves and take responsibility.
Trainees can focus on their individual strengths and weaknesses.
Trainees exchange ideas directly with classmates in the online course under learning content.
Educators and trainers have a better overview of learning progress in the online course and can intervene in time.
Educators and trainers can reuse content and do not have to support each trainee individually.
Digital skills and the handling of digital media are strengthened for all participants!
Blended Learning Models for Training
Blended learning is the easiest way to slowly approach digital learning methods. For the start, you can use the digital phases as additional learning units that also function independently of the actual in-person classes. However, you can also directly exchange ideas with educators or trade chambers.
In blended learning, there are many different implementation options. You can download a detailed overview of our most popular models for free here:
Additionally, the Cornelsen eCademy suggests four more models that are specifically used in the context of training. We have contrasted the roles of trainees and educators in the following table:
| Model | Role of Educators | Role of Trainees || ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- || Rotation Model | … provides structure and sequence, content and location are predetermined | … 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 consult educators as needed || A la Carte Model | … provides all content in-person and online | … choose how they want to engage with which content || Enhanced Virtual Model | … predominantly makes content available online and offers additional mandatory in-person appointments | … predominantly learn online and autonomously, must attend certain in-person appointments |
Depending on the training and working hours, different models are suitable – after all, not every training is the same. The methods presented by Cornelsen mainly relate to the work of educators, as they provide the learning content.
How Companies Support Their Trainees in Learning
Companies can support their trainees beyond the models mentioned above for educators by sitting down with the responsible teachers and planning adequate learning time for the digital learning phases. Or they take full responsibility for the digital learning phases; this model is also possible.
Of course, there are already some materials from the respective Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), but the offering is usually very general and not tailored to individual trainees.
You should definitely not overlook 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 go and need a specific day for that, or would they like to integrate their learning time into their working day?
Reading Tip: Do you want to provide content for various learning types? Then read here how you can implement adaptive learning: Adaptive Learning: What advantages does the trend offer?
Requirements for Successful Digital Learning in Training
As a trainer, you are responsible for the learning success of your trainees, of course in coordination with the instructors. Nevertheless, they spend most of their time in companies and do good work there. Therefore, you should meet some requirements to ensure that your trainees can learn in peace while at work:
Requirement 1: Internet Access as a Central Foundation
Not every company has fixed computers with internet access installed. Before the training begins, make sure that at least one device is set up and accessible for your trainees!
Requirement 2: Fixed Learning Times According to the Needs of Individual Trainees
Training involves a learning effort. To ensure that your trainees do not have to learn solely in their free time, you should schedule fixed times when they can prepare for exams.
Requirement 3: A Contact Person for Urgent Questions
Especially your newcomers should be supported at the beginning. Therefore, appoint a fixed contact person who will accompany your trainee from the company's side throughout the entire training.
Requirement 4: Regularly Remind About Tasks and Learning Content
Trainees tend to forget their duties. Therefore, regularly remind them of their tasks and consult with the instructors. This way, you have an overview of the current curriculum.
Digital Learning: Tasks for Your Trainees
For digital learning in training to work, your trainees must meet the following three conditions. After all, in blended learning, there is not always a teacher present to monitor progress.
Digital Access: Your trainees need certain competencies to learn digitally. Ideally, they already fulfill these as digital natives; otherwise, educators and trainers must support them!
Self-Motivation: Your trainees must want to learn on their own and take care to complete the tasks on time.
Self-Tests: If no educator supervises the trainees' learning process, they must do so themselves. A good option is regular quizzes and repetitions of learning content.
You see, there are many ways companies can support their trainees. Use this year’s training start 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 trial course – have fun learning!
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