Digital training is currently more sought after than ever and mostly takes place without in-person attendance. From this, a new trend has developed: Virtual Blended Learning. In the article, we explain the method and the benefits for trainers and learners:

Reading tip: If you want to learn more about classic Blended Learning in advance, take a look at our info page “Blended Learning in Practice”.

Classic Blended Learning describes the combination of different learning forms in a mix of online and in-person phases. However, currently, in-person events are either not possible or only limited. From this, a new trend has developed: Completely digital Blended Learning, also known as “virtual Blended Learning”.

The basic idea of virtual Blended Learning:

In virtual Blended Learning, the focus is even more on the online phases. Your participants are already working on part of your exercises online and independently from home. So give them more exercises that they can work on alone and at their own pace. All content that you also teach online in classic Blended Learning is well suited: Introduction, basics, and theoretical knowledge for the in-person phase.

Nevertheless, you do not have to forego personal live sessions in virtual Blended Learning: Simply transfer your in-person times from the real world to a virtual space. Your presence, in which you interact directly with the participants, then takes place, for example, as a video meeting. Our favorite tool for virtual meetings and training is the video conferencing provider Zoom. There, you can invite up to 1000 participants and easily meet digitally at a scheduled time to conduct your in-person content or exercises.

We have already tried virtual Blended Learning ourselves. Colleague Michael shares his experiences here in the interview: Blended Learning without presence – Does it work?

In virtual Blended Learning, your in-person phase takes place digitally with all participants.

The advantages of virtual Blended Learning summarized:

• Digital presence promotes personal exchange and allows for quick questions and joint exercises, despite the physical distance.

• You have lower costs because you do not have to travel or rent a room. This also makes your offer more affordable for your participants.

• For your participants, attending a digital presence is very easy, as time and effort for traveling to and from the in-person location are eliminated.

• In the digital space, participants are often more attentive, and your exercises are conducted more efficiently in a shorter time.

• You can support your participants more individually and targeted, as written questions do not get lost as quickly.

Of course, there are various ways to structure your virtual Blended Learning. We have already summarized the most popular Blended Learning models in classic Blended Learning for you. These can also be implemented completely virtually. Download the free model overview and kickstart your virtual Blended Learning concept!