Blended learning in practice? In the second part of our series "Perfect Integration!", we show you how to start your blended learning with an online course and which methods are particularly suitable for this.
Tip: If you haven't read the first part of our series yet, it is linked for you again here: Your Perfect Blended Learning, Part 1: Start with Face-to-Face
In this article, we show you another blended learning concept – because: Not every course has to start with a face-to-face session. An online start is very suitable for many training courses or workshops.
As you already learned in Part 1 of this series, there is no one-size-fits-all method for the perfect blended learning course. A great option for rather short training measures with a start in the online course is the "sandwich" – but what does that actually mean?
Excursus: The Sandwich Model
Similar to the "jumper" model from the first part, the online and face-to-face phases alternate equally. The classic "sandwich" starts and ends with an online unit and contains only one face-to-face event.
This model is particularly suitable if you place great value on comprehensive preparation and follow-up – but only want to hold one central face-to-face event. Not all content needs to be processed on-site and can also be taught well online. For the subsequent application in everyday life, the online follow-up can support and offer participants additional security. However, the time intervals between preparation, follow-up, and the actual course should not be longer than two weeks.
Is the "sandwich" not yet the right model for your course concept? Then download our free model overview and get to know other proven models for your blended learning:
The Perfect Integration in the "Sandwich" Model
We show you how to implement the perfect integration between online and face-to-face events in the following example:
1. Getting Started as an Online Course:
Before you go into your face-to-face event, online preparation based on the "sandwich" model is an important component. If you inform your participants about the goals, basic requirements, and tasks before the start of the course, you can concentrate on the essentials during the face-to-face session.
Welcome your participants before the course starts with a short video and/or a photo of yourself. This allows them to get to know you in advance.
Remind your participants of the organizational framework conditions: Where does our face-to-face event take place? When does it start? What do the participants need?
Give participants the opportunity to send in wishes and focus topics in advance. This allows you to adapt your content during the face-to-face session to the needs of your participants.
Last but not least, you should provide initial preparatory tasks in the online course so that your participants can attune themselves to the upcoming topic – because face-to-face time is precious! Give them homework that you can pick up in the face-to-face session.
Workshop leader Claudia welcomes her participants beforehand in the online course. // Source: blink.it
For the start, it is particularly important to already establish personal contact with your participants and make them look forward to the face-to-face time with you and the upcoming topics. On this basis, you can go into the face-to-face session.
2. Main Event in the Face-to-Face Session:
In your single face-to-face phase, you should focus primarily on practical tasks. If you have used your preparatory online phase perfectly, your participants are already well prepared now.
Before you begin, you should answer questions from the online phase in advance.
Remember: Face-to-face time is precious! Best use it for many practical tasks that require your guidance.
Collect feedback and wishes so that you can tailor your subsequent online follow-up to the needs of your participants.
Promote your online follow-up actively during the face-to-face session! Convey the added value that your participants will gain from the online course.
You can also use the notes from the face-to-face session in your online follow-up.
To increase your participants' learning effect, you should take photos of mind maps and notes on flipcharts and post them later in the online course.
3. Final Online Follow-up:
After your main event has ended, you should finally offer another online phase for follow-up. Here, participants can deepen their theoretical knowledge independently and test themselves to see if they have really internalized the learning content.
Create photo protocols! Upload the results from the face-to-face session (in the form of flipcharts, screenshots, etc.) so that your participants can remember the learning content better.
Ask your participants to create content themselves, for example, to upload their feedback on the course or their most important learning as a short selfie video or text post.
Create a final quiz so that participants can test themselves and see if they have really understood what they have learned. Offer your participants bonus material, such as a certificate of participation for the boss or corresponding certificates that are only available online.
With short questionnaires, you can easily collect feedback in the online course. // Source: blink.it platform
Conclusion
A blended learning course with an online start works particularly well when preparation, face-to-face, and follow-up systematically build on one another in terms of content.
As you can see, there are several ways you can follow up on your blended learning course online. In particular, certificates or other proofs motivate participants to complete the entire course and also to carefully work through exams and quizzes.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
How does the sandwich model work in blended learning?
In the sandwich model, the course begins with an online phase, followed by a central face-to-face event and then another online phase for follow-up.
What content is suitable for the first online phase?
The first online phase is suitable for organizational information, preparatory tasks, and basic content. Participants can also communicate wishes and key topics in advance.
How should the face-to-face phase be used in the sandwich model?
The face-to-face phase should focus primarily on practical tasks, questions, and personal exchange. Basics can already be conveyed online in advance.
What belongs in the final online phase?
Suitable for online follow-up are, for example, photo protocols from the face-to-face session, in-depth content, feedback, content created by the participants themselves, as well as final quizzes and certificates.
