In blended learning, you want to perfectly combine face-to-face and online courses – but what does that mean in practice? We have the answer! In the first part of “Perfect Integration!”, we show you the best methods for your blended learning when starting with a face-to-face event.
Undisputedly, blended learning is the number 1 central learning method for the coming years. Trainers, coaches, and HR developers alike want to make further education sustainable and efficient by integrating face-to-face and online learning. The emphasis in blended learning is on integration!
During a workshop session on “Implementing Blended Learning in Practice”, a participant recently said: “We always talk about integration. Sounds really great, but HOW?! How do I motivate people to actually look at an online course after a day with me? Very few people are in the mood for that; after all, the training is done!”
Do you perhaps recognize yourself in this statement? In any case, I saw many nodding heads in response to this comment during the session. Because: A sequence of face-to-face days and online courses is not blended learning, even if it is frequently practiced that way.
Reading tip: Benefits – Use Cases – Models: Everything you need to know about blended learning can be found on our comprehensive info page Blended Learning in Practice
As a content creator, how do you create a perfect integration of face-to-face and online phases? The blended learning experts have gathered their own experiences as well as successful methods from clients on these questions. Discover the results now:
Excursion: Blended Learning Models
One fact first: There is no magic formula for perfect integration. The reason is relatively simple: Blended learning is not always the same. There are different models you can use for orientation during planning. And the goal of the integration is just as diverse.
The biggest difference is whether you start your blended learning with a face-to-face event or with an online phase. Both variants have pros and cons that you must weigh individually for each measure.
The choice of the start also influences the question of integration: How do you motivate your participants to use the online course after the face-to-face session – or to participate on a face-to-face day after an online phase?
We start in this first part with the classic case: The start is a face-to-face event, followed by an online phase, before returning to face-to-face. This model is called the “Springer” (or “jumper”) model.
In the “Springer” model, both phases are equally important. It is best suited for training courses or seminars where there is at least one week between two or more face-to-face events.
The Perfect Integration for the “Springer”
Below, we explain step-by-step which measures you can use in the face-to-face and online phases so that your blended learning has perfect integration:
1. The First Face-to-Face Day:
To ensure the optimal connection between face-to-face and online phases, it is important to direct the focus directly to the blended learning and the online course, rather than just mentioning it “on the side”:
Incorporate the online support right into the introduction: Explain to your participants what blended learning means and why it is so important for their learning outcome that they participate in the online course.
Tease valuable content in the online course to spark your participants' curiosity: “In the online course, you will find exciting additional information/videos/(…) that will help you apply today's learning in your everyday life!”
Mention that your participants will find exercises or homework in the online course. Ideally, they should bring the results of the online exercises to the next session – making online participation essential to take part in the face-to-face days.
Your participants should start the online course motivated and with clear working instructions.
2. The First Online Phase:
In the online phase, you should also welcome your participants once again. A welcome video is best suited for this, in which you mention once more:
what the course is about
what participants can expect
what added value they get from it.
Here you can see an example from our blended learning sample course “Personal Productivity”, where the trainer welcomes and motivates the participants:
So you remind your participants of what awaits them and why the course is valuable. You can easily shoot a short selfie video (like in the example) with your smartphone – no expensive video equipment needed.
Reading tip: All information on shooting training and education videos with your own smartphone can be found on our extensive info page: Creating videos for online courses
Further tips on how to perfectly integrate your online phase at the beginning:
Use the online course for theoretical content such as texts, PDFs, or diagrams that participants can work through on their own.
As the course progresses, add tasks and exercises that your participants should bring to the next face-to-face event.
Ideally, enable interaction among participants between face-to-face sessions via a comments section:
The comment area in the sample course “Personal Productivity and Time Intelligence”: Here, participants can exchange ideas during the online phase. Source: blink.it platform
3. Further Face-to-Face Days:
To maintain tight integration, you should use the task(s) from the online course as a basis during the subsequent face-to-face days. You can also address theoretical content from the online course and link practical exercises to it. The face-to-face session is particularly well-suited for conducting group work or discussion rounds.
Take advantage of the biggest benefit that face-to-face has over the online course: social interaction. Through practical application in the face-to-face session, the transfer of new knowledge into (workplace) everyday life succeeds. In addition, you strengthen the “we-feeling” in the face-to-face phases before participants continue working independently in the online course.
4. Further Online Phases:
As the training or seminar progresses, the online course is not just a place for exercise tasks. Here are three more ideas for perfect integration:
You can post all documents from the face-to-face session online, so participants can review what they have worked on – for example, photos of flipcharts, posters, or mind maps.
Use the online course to gather feedback on learning progress via the comment function or questionnaires.
Answer questions from the past face-to-face event in detail and without time pressure.
With short questionnaires, you can easily gather feedback in the online course. Source: blink.it platform
Even after the last event, you can still motivate your participants to use the online course: For example, create an online final exam with a certificate that confirms participation.
Conclusion
Good integration in blended learning ensures that face-to-face and online phases do not just stand side-by-side, but prepare, deepen, and complement each other.
With these methods, you can create the perfect integration of face-to-face and online phases. By relating the content to each other and complementing one another, the connection is logical for your participants and increases motivation for the online phases.
You can test for yourself what a finished online course for blended learning can look like as a participant: Simply register for our free blended learning sample course, get valuable tips for your personal productivity – and inspiration for your own blended learning.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
How do you integrate face-to-face and online phases in blended learning?
Both phases should build on each other in terms of content. Tasks from the online course can, for example, be picked up during the next face-to-face session, while results and questions from the face-to-face session can subsequently be worked on further online.
How do you motivate participants for the online phase after a face-to-face event?
The online course should already be firmly integrated into the schedule during the face-to-face event. Concrete work assignments, pre-announced exercises, and content needed for the next face-to-face session are helpful.
What content is suitable for the online phases?
Online phases are suitable, among other things, for theoretical content, texts, PDFs, videos, exercises, and tasks. Feedback, questions, and interaction between participants can also take place online.
What content is particularly suitable for face-to-face phases?
Face-to-face phases are particularly suitable for practical exercises, group work, and discussions. Direct social interaction helps to apply content and supports the transfer into everyday life.
