In classic face-to-face training sessions, participants often find it difficult to transfer learning into their daily routines. At the same time, HR managers are increasingly reluctant to release training participants from work for several days. With the Blended Learning method, online content supplements the training in such a way that all sides benefit. But when is which model suitable for Blended Learning? We introduce you to the three most popular Blended Learning models.
What Blended Learning means for training
Blended Learning basically means a mixing of different learning methods. In the world of training and coaching, this approach is becoming increasingly popular, as participants, trainers, and clients alike benefit from Blended Learning. The Association of European Blended Learning Actors (Verband der europäischen Blended-Learning-Akteure e. V.) provides the following definition on its website:
“In Blended Learning, the very different forms of learning are so integrated and brought together into a single unit that it becomes possible to bring in the advantages of the respective form of learning and to compensate for the disadvantages of the other form of learning.”
So much for the definition of Blended Learning – for practical implementation, trainers and coaches can choose from various models. If you are considering using Blended Learning, you should therefore first ask yourself a few questions about choosing a Blended Learning model.
Checklist: Which Blended Learning model fits your training?
Basically, many factors play a role in choosing the appropriate Blended Learning model: Your previous format of face-to-face events, the size of your participant group, the duration of your entire training – and, last but not least, the requirements of your client. For an initial orientation, you should ask yourself the following three questions:
Where should your focus lie – in the face-to-face event or in the online phase?
How many face-to-face events do you have as part of a training program?
If there is more than one event: How much time is there between individual events?
Depending on the answer, different models of Blended Learning are suitable for your training. We present the three most common ones in the following section.
Three popular Blended Learning models
The focus, the number of events, and the overall timespan of the training – these are key factors that influence the choice of your Blended Learning model. If we arrange these factors differently, we get three typical Blended Learning models:
The Springer (The Knight)
The “Springer” Blended Learning Model
With the Springer, online and face-to-face phases are roughly equally important. This Blended Learning model is therefore well-suited for you if you have previously used multiple face-to-face events with at least one week between them.
Focus: Both online and face-to-face
Number: More than one event
Timespan: Intervals of over one week between events
The Reiher (The Heron)
The “Reiher” Blended Learning Model
With the Reiher, the focus is on the face-to-face phase. This Blended Learning model is well-suited for you if your training or coaching has previously been very focused in terms of time. For example, if you have relied on a weekend seminar or a one-day workshop, you can extend the timespan of your training and secure the transfer of what was learned by adding an online phase.
Focus: Face-to-face
Number: Fewer than five events
Timespan: Intervals of less than one week between events
The Sandwich
The “Sandwich” Blended Learning Model
With the Sandwich, the focus 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 sessions. In a preparatory online phase, you can convey basic knowledge and introduce the topic. In the post-processing online phase, you can offer exercises and ensure the transfer of knowledge into everyday practice.
Important with the Sandwich: The face-to-face event is enclosed by online content. In practice, this can look like the trainer releasing explicit content for preparation and follow-up. Sometimes, however, the online phase is also an ongoing opportunity for participants to access further content at any time. For example, participants have the opportunity to exchange ideas with others via comments below the content.
Focus: Online
Number: One event (maximum of two, back-to-back)
In addition to these three typical models, there are, of course, numerous variations and special forms. With the "reversed Heron", for example, you start first with an online phase before deploying your face-to-face events.
Practical examples of Blended Learning models
Now you have learned about the three most common models in Blended Learning. Variations are conceivable for each model. For starters, we advise you to choose one of the three typical models for a test phase. But what do the presented variations look like in practice? Below, we describe a typical training session for each Blended Learning model:
A typical training session in the “Springer” Blended Learning model
As described above, this model is ideal for training sessions that stretch over a longer period of time. Just like the training by Normen Ulbrich, who wants to advance personnel development. Normen has often chosen the “Springer” Blended Learning model: He always starts with a face-to-face event to strengthen personal connection for the coming months. Since there are usually several weeks between his face-to-face events, he fills the gaps with short online impulses.
Normen’s advantage of the “Springer” Blended Learning model: His participants stay on the ball continuously and are supported sustainably even over this longer period of time.
A typical training session in the “Reiher” Blended Learning model
This model is well-suited for trainers who are starting out with Blended Learning and initially want to strengthen the participants' knowledge transfer. 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 face-to-face training. You can then connect the two forms of learning (face-to-face and online) virtually like Lego bricks.
In companies, the “Reiher” Blended Learning model is also well-suited for onboarding: new employees can thus be onboarded online over several weeks and months after a short personal introduction.
A typical training session in the “Sandwich” Blended Learning model
This model is particularly suitable 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 as a trainer can offer a lot of content and exercises or upload presentations. An intensive exchange between the participants is also particularly well supported by this model.
Conclusion
Blended Learning unfolds its strength when face-to-face and online phases are not simply combined, but integrated chronologically and appropriately with the training goal and process.
Springer, Reiher, or Sandwich: Which Blended Learning model fits best depends on where the focus of your training lies, how many face-to-face sessions are planned, and over what period of time the learning extends. The three models provide simple orientation and can be adapted to the specific training process as required.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What Blended Learning models are there?
Three typical Blended Learning models are Springer, Reiher, and Sandwich. They differ primarily in how heavily face-to-face and online phases are weighted and how the individual learning phases follow one another chronologically.
When is the Springer Blended Learning model suitable?
The Springer is particularly suitable for training programs with multiple face-to-face sessions separated by longer periods. Online content bridges these phases and accompanies the participants continuously.
When is the Reiher Blended Learning model useful?
The Reiher is suitable for training programs where the face-to-face phase is the main focus. A subsequent online phase can deepen what has been learned and support the transfer into everyday practice.
How does the Sandwich Blended Learning model work?
In the Sandwich model, a face-to-face event is enclosed by online phases. The first online phase can prepare for the session, while the subsequent online phase supports exercises, deepening of knowledge, and transfer into everyday routines.
