Can my blended learning currently even take place? How do I reach my participants? What do I do with my in-person sessions? We show you how to continue successfully conducting blended learning events.

The current situation requires quick and efficient solutions; many people are at home and working remotely – because: social distancing is necessary! However, these rapid changes constantly raise questions, even in the world of further education. Many trainers and coaches have relied on blended learning for years and naturally want to continue using the method despite contact restrictions. We have a simple solution for you: Offer your courses completely digitally, mixing online and live-online phases!

Blended learning despite social distancing – how is that possible?

The core idea of blended learning is probably familiar to you: the combination of different learning forms to support learning success as best as possible. In most cases, you connect online with in-person phases. However, the combination of in-person and online is just one possible connection of learning methods.

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A classic blended learning example: The "Springer" // Representation: blink.it

Overview

The most popular models in blended learning

The "Springer" is just one way you can design blended learning. Depending on whether you prefer to start with the in-person or online phase, different models can be considered. Here you will find a detailed overview:

Many continuing education providers rely on the combination of in-person and online courses: The theoretical conveyance of content usually takes place in online courses and individually, as participants can decide for themselves when and where they want to learn. For practical application, exercises, feedback, and learning groups work better in person – typically at a fixed time on-site.

Alternatively, you can easily offer both online and in-person phases digitally. Thus, your “in-person” can also take place as “online presence” despite social distancing.

Start small: Rely on your existing content

Your online phases of blended learning can still be used in this form – after all, they are already digital and thus always and everywhere available. In times of social distancing, however, you should offer your participants plenty of variety. Rely on different media and try to convey your content as diversely as possible:

For example, reach out to your participants with a short video message and thus show presence yourself! To explain practical tasks, which you might otherwise convey in your live sessions, short video impulses or screencasts are particularly well-suited.

Reading tip: Here we have gathered 5 quick ways to create content for online training.

How to create blended learning completely online

Step 1: Find a suitable video tool

Fundamental for your “digital presence” is a suitable video meeting tool. It should meet the following criteria:

• It must be easy to use for you as the organizer of the meeting.

• It must be simple for the participants: Ideally, you can invite your participants without them having to register separately.

• It should allow for multiple participants so that your course is not limited by the number of participants.

• It should have a screen sharing function so that you can show presentations or visual materials from the in-person session.

Tip: We at blink.it have been using the tool “Zoom” for our meetings for a long time, currently, of course, daily! Colleague Laura has summarized the advantages of the tool in a separate article: Zoom – The best tool for online training, coaching, and meetings?

By the way, you can integrate video meetings via Zoom, Adobe Connect, or other tools directly into our blink.it platform. If you offer your online phases at blink.it, you make it easier for your participants to switch from online to in-person.

Incorporate video meetings via Zoom, Adobe Connect, or other tools directly into your online courses. // Source: blink.it

Step 2: Review your own material

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, because here, too, the rule applies: Use your existing content! In your in-person session, you surely have a presentation that serves as a support for you. You can also use this digitally! Just share your screen in the virtual room, and all course participants can follow your presentation as usual. You might have to make some minimal adjustments to certain content, but that will take less time than you might think.

Tip: We have an exciting article in the blog for you on how to recycle training content and thus save a lot of time.

Step 3: Consider which exercises can be implemented individually

In traditional in-person settings, exercises and direct application examples are very popular. Theoretical knowledge is deepened this way, and you as the course leader can provide direct feedback to the participants. At first, you might think that you can implement these exercises online less effectively. However, if your tasks are well and precisely formulated, your participants can certainly handle them excellently even remotely.

Tip: Are you looking for inspiration on which exercises can also be implemented together online? Then feel free to check out this article by colleague Corinna: 3 exercises for collaborative online learning

Step 4: Practice your digital presence

The situation is new and unfamiliar for all involved. To ensure that your courses run smoothly, you should practice them beforehand! Make sure that your technology works and that you know how to, for example, share your screen in the chosen meeting tool.

To ensure that your participants know how your online presence will proceed, it’s best to give them a brief introduction beforehand and explain all the important functions to them. You can incorporate this into your online course with the help of a short screencast or explanatory video. One last tip from us: Remind participants before the course begins to mute their microphones by default and only activate them when they have questions, during discussions, or exercises – this way, you can prevent interruptions or background noise in your session.

As you can see, it’s not so difficult to offer blended learning completely digitally! Consider it an exercise and don’t stress yourself: For all parties involved, the situation is unusual; therefore, you now have the perfect chance to test new techniques and formats. However, you don't have to create entirely new content: Use your materials from in-person events and implement them as best as you can online.

If you need support with this, feel free to check out our blog and explore our diverse learning materials! Both are, of course, free 🙂