In traditional in-person trainings, participants often find it difficult to transfer what they have learned into everyday life. At the same time, HR professionals are increasingly reluctant to release training participants from work for several days. With the blended learning method, online content complements the training in such a way that all parties benefit. But when is which model suitable for blended learning? We present to you the three most popular blended learning models!
What Blended Learning Means for Training
Blended learning fundamentally means a mix of different learning forms. In the world of training and coaching, this approach is becoming increasingly popular, as both participants and trainers, as well as clients, benefit from blended learning. The Association of European Blended Learning Actors e.V. provides the following definition on its website:
“In blended learning, the very different forms of learning are interlinked and brought together as a unit, so that it succeeds in bringing in the advantages of each learning form and compensating for the disadvantages of the other learning form.”
So much for the definition of blended learning – for practical implementation, trainers and coaches have different models to choose from. If you are considering using blended learning, you should first ask yourself some questions regarding the choice of a blended learning model.
Checklist: Which Blended Learning Model Fits Your Training?
In general, many factors play a role in choosing the suitable blended learning model: Your previous format for face-to-face events, the size of your participant group, the duration of your entire training – not least also the requirements of your client. For initial orientation, you should ask yourself the following three questions:
Where should your focus be – in the face-to-face event or in the online phase?
How many face-to-face events do you have as part of your training?
If more than one event: How much time is there between individual events?
Depending on the answers, different blended learning models are suitable for your training. We will introduce you to the three most common in the following section:
Three Popular Blended Learning Models
The focus, the number of events, and the overall duration of the training – these are essential factors that influence the choice of your blended learning model. When we combine these factors differently, we obtain three typical blended learning models:
The Springboard
The blended learning model “Springboard”
In the Springboard model, online and face-to-face phases are approximately equally important. This blended learning model is therefore well-suited for you if you have been using several face-to-face events that are spaced at least one week apart.
Focus: Both online and face-to-face
Number: More than one event
Duration: Intervals of over a week between events
The Heron
The blended learning model “Heron”
In the Heron model, the emphasis is on the face-to-face phase. This blended learning model is suitable for you if you have been focusing heavily on timing in your training or coaching. For example, if you have previously used a weekend seminar or a one-day workshop, you can extend the duration of your training by adding an online phase and ensure the transfer of what has been learned.
Focus: Face-to-face
Number: Fewer than five events
Duration: Intervals of less than one week between events
The Sandwich
The blended learning model “Sandwich”
In the Sandwich model, the emphasis is more on the online phases. This blended learning model is well-suited for you if you only have one or at most two face-to-face appointments. In a preparatory online phase, you can convey basic knowledge and introduce the topic. In the follow-up online phase, you can offer exercises and secure the transfer into everyday life.
Important with the Sandwich: The face-to-face event is framed by online content. In practice, this can mean that the trainer provides explicit content for preparation and follow-up. Sometimes the online phase is also a continuous opportunity for participants to access additional content at any time. For example, participants have the option to exchange comments on content with others.
Focus: Online
Number: one event (maximum two, directly in succession)
In addition to these three typical models, there are of course numerous variations and special forms. In the case of the "reversed Heron," for example, you start with an online phase before you conduct your face-to-face events. Check our overview to see which blended learning models are most popular in practice and when they are each suitable!
Update on September 4, 2018: You can now find three special models of Springboard, Heron, and Sandwich – and the basic models – in our infographic, which is linked in this article!
Examples of Blended Learning Models from Practice
Now you have learned about the three most common models in blended learning. Variations are conceivable for each model. For the beginning, we advise you to choose one of the three typical models for a test phase. But what do the presented variants look like in practice? We will describe a typical training for each blended learning model below:
A Typical Training in the Blended Learning Model “Springboard”
This model is ideally suited for trainings that stretch over a longer period, as described above. Just like the training by Normen Ulbrich, who wants to advance personnel development. Normen has often opted for the blended learning model “Springboard”: He always begins with a face-to-face event to strengthen the personal bond for the upcoming months. Since there are usually several weeks between his face-to-face events, he fills the gaps with short online impulses.
Normen's advantage from the blended learning model “Springboard”: His participants stay engaged over the long term and are accompanied sustainably throughout this extended period.
A Typical Training in the Blended Learning Model “Heron”
This model is well-suited for trainers who are entering blended learning and primarily want to strengthen the transfer of participants. The advantage of this model is that, as a trainer, you only need to refer to the online part at the end of your previous training. You can then combine the two learning forms (face-to-face and online) like Lego building blocks.
In companies, the blended learning model “Heron” is also well-suited for onboarding: New employees can be integrated online over several weeks and months following a brief personal introduction.
A Typical Training in the Blended Learning Model “Sandwich”
This model is particularly well-suited for trainers who work with a single face-to-face event and want to use the online phase intensively. In the longer online phase, you can offer a lot of content and exercises or upload presentations. An intensive exchange among participants is particularly feasible in this model.
Dennis Tröger has often opted for the blended learning model “Sandwich.” He mainly shares his experience on the topic of brand marketing in online events: The face-to-face event for Dennis is a webinar accompanied by a longer online phase. This means: His clients can access online content both before and after the webinar and, for example, ask follow-up questions.
Dennis's advantage from the blended learning model “Sandwich”: Since personal interaction in the webinar is limited, participants have additional opportunities on the online platform to ask Dennis questions or exchange experiences with each other.
Here, Dennis Tröger explains in an interview why he offers his blended learning in a mix of webinar and online course:
You have now learned about the most popular blended learning models and examples from practice. Which model suits your training or coaching best? Or do you already use blended learning and are a fan of a particular model? Then send us a message; we are curious!
If you have already decided on a model, you are already a good step closer to becoming an expert in blended learning. What 8 additional steps are still needed and what you should do for it, you can find out in our guide for trainers!
The Most Popular Models in Blended Learning
Download the most popular models as an overview and find out what special forms besides Springboard, Heron, and Sandwich are also frequently used!
For the free overview of blended learning models
Do You Have Questions About blink.it or This Article?
Feel free to write to us if you have questions about the product or specifically about this article. Our marketing team is available to you via email or will forward your request to a suitable Blinkie 😊
