You want to start with blended learning and enhance your face-to-face training with online content? Then you are probably facing a decision now: Which software is suitable for implementing your training as blended learning? This article provides you with an overview of the criteria that trainers and coaches apply to software for blended learning.

Conceptual Classification: App or Software for Blended Learning?

In principle, you have various options available for the e-learning component of your blended learning. It helps to first familiarize yourself with the terms for the technical implementation of e-learning: Are you looking more for software for blended learning or an app?

What we mean by “Software”

Software is a very broad term, which is defined on Wikipedia as follows: “Software is the totality of information that must be added to hardware in order for a software-controlled device to be usable for a defined range of tasks.” Let’s keep it simple and refer to software in connection with blended learning as the technical solutions that are not mobile apps.

What we mean by “App”

Originally, the term app refers to a specific genre of software, namely application software. But beware: In the German-speaking world, we usually understand it to mean only a mobile app, that is, an application that we install on a smartphone. In a technical or international context, however, “app” can also refer to application software on a computer.

Conclusion: An application software that you won’t find in the app store

This conceptual classification can help you when dealing with technical guidelines or, for example, reading English-language articles. For the remainder of this article, we agree on the definition of “software” as application software that is not available in the typical app store.

Specific Software Requirements in Blended Learning

The blended learning method is convincing: a sustainable learning effect for the participant, a new source of income, and increased measurability for the trainer. When choosing software, you should consider the specific requirements for blended learning. After all, you have chosen to implement blended learning for good reasons – the software should also be optimized for exactly these aspects.

| This means blended learning | Therefore, software for blended learning || -------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- || Short online impulses | … should provide a quick and clear overview of the content || Long-term support from the trainer | … should be easy to use for the trainer or course creator || Linking online and offline content | … should allow for flexible adaptation of content |

A blended-learning software should indeed be exactly that: Software for blended learning. Therefore, a clear overview of content, a good usability, and a flexible adaptation of content are essential for the success of your training or coaching.

Do you want to test directly how blink.it meets the requirements of a blended learning software? Very gladly: Just book a non-binding admin demo with one of our experts.

Software Decision for Blended Learning: Focus on Usability or Scope?

In principle, you can assess software for blended learning based on the following criteria: Easy usability and high functionality. One usually excludes the other. Classical learning management systems (LMS) are often software giants that are relatively complex in practical implementation. Conversely, easy-to-use software for blended learning is limited in its functionality:

When choosing software for blended learning, decide on excellent usability (blue) OR a high functionality (orange).

The blue circle in the graphic shows software for blended learning that is easy to use and apply but offers relatively low functionality. The orange circle, on the other hand, represents a typical LMS: A complex system that is not intuitively usable but offers extensive functions.

If you are starting as a trainer with blended learning, you should first consider what is more important to you: Usability or functionality. Most trainers and coaches are experts in their fields and have participants who are also not tech experts. Both tend to value ease of use more.

The Complex Blended Learning Software Solution: The Learning Management System (LMS)

Let’s first look at the solution in the orange circle. Here you have a classic LMS, such as Moodle. A learning management system is software that certainly has the term learning in its name, but is mostly focused on the term “management.” If you search for it on Wikipedia, you will find the following definition:

A learning platform or learning management system (LMS) is a complex content management system that serves to provide learning content and to organize learning processes.

Compared to other software solutions for blended learning, an LMS is therefore not only complex but also has a clear focus on the pure provision of content. You can imagine an LMS as a postman who transports packages from A to B.

A typical example where the choice of blended learning software falls on an LMS is a classic compliance training: A large company introduces new regulation and wants to bring all employees to the same level with little effort. Popular topics here include changes in data protection or occupational safety. To do this, for example, slides from presentations are uploaded one-to-one into the LMS. This means, on the one hand, low effort for the course creators, but also low learning effect for the participants and hardly any support during the learning process.

Moreover, LMS are often used in large companies for decades, which have now only been operating with them out of sheer habit. The layout is no longer modern in such LMS, and the usability is far from intuitive, but the integration of a new, modern LMS is often associated with a lot of personnel effort and high costs.

The Intuitive Blended Learning Software Solution: Simple Usability and Application

In contrast to an LMS, the software solution in the blue circle above is primarily one thing: Simple.

And indeed simple...

• in usability for the course creator

• in application for the participants

• in functionality

Classification of blink.it: Software as a Service

We at blink.it understand our product as a so-called software as a service (SaaS). This means that we take care of everything technical – you take care of the content. In contrast, a classic software is one that you download once as a user and then have to install, maintain, etc., on your own. With blink.it, you only take care of the part for which you are an expert: content creation.

In addition, with the blink.it software, you can work directly in the system. In an LMS, on the other hand, you only upload finished content. With blink.it, you can design, create, and finalize your content in one place. Create quiz questions, write motivating texts – and upload existing slides or videos as supporting formats.

The software from blink.it is specifically developed to meet the requirements for blended learning.

Overview: LMS versus Software as a Service (SaaS)

We have now discussed the criteria of usability and functionality. In addition to these two decisive criteria, you can also evaluate software for blended learning based on aspects such as cost, support, and external presentation:

| | Classic LMS (e.g. Moodle) | SaaS (e.g. blink.it) | || --------------------------------- | --------------------- | ------ || Usability | - - - | + + + || Functionality | + + + | - || Support | - - - | + + + || Optics | - - - | + + + |

Regarding visual appearance: Admittedly, this point heavily depends on the criterion of usability. A chaotically constructed LMS, in which neither trainers, nor participants, nor HR developers can orient themselves, appears visually unappealing and contributes to an unprofessional external presentation.

The blink.it software works similarly to an LMS but is significantly easier to use and highly user-centered.

A rule of thumb for the developers and designers of the blink.it software:

A new user must be able to grasp within 30 seconds what he or she should do next.

If this rule of thumb is not met, the software for blended learning is not suitable. That may sound harsh, but blended learning thrives on participants learning independently – without technical instructions! – online. Therefore, simple usability in the e-learning part is simply essential for the overall success of blended learning.

Looking for the right blended learning software? Just test it!

Let’s be honest: We make the best decisions based on personal experiences. High-gloss magazines can be misleading, professional articles may not address your personal requirements – the best way is to test for yourself which software is suitable for you and your blended learning.

Some software solutions for blended learning cannot be tested without difficulty or only with great effort – this complicates the decision and seems unprofessional. We want to play with open cards and enable you to check the software simply and without obligation.

Test the blink.it solution now and request your personal admin demo with one of our experts. You will receive a brief introduction and can then test how the software functions for your blended learning at your convenience for several weeks.