What Is Blended Learning (+ How to Leverage It in 2024!)

With the rise of online learning, as well as returning to the classroom, you've probably been hearing a lot about blended learning.

But what exactly is "blended learning"? 🤔

And how is it relevant to the corporate training and professional development world as it is figuring out how to homeschool your kiddos?

Fortunately for you, we're here to help! 🙌

We'll explain what blended learning is — and isn't — and how a blended learning strategy incorporates different methods, tools, and approaches to make learning more effective.

What is Blended Learning?

Blended learning is a hybrid learning combination of traditional classroom instruction with online education that caters to different learners' needs, saves costs, and increases efficiency for everyone involved.

This is not to say that there is anything wrong with traditional forms of teaching and learning, but rather that technological developments now offer a more flexible, accessible approach.

It's about using different tools to create an approach to education that achieves multiple goals simultaneously instead of expecting one method to cover all the bases (which it simply can't, as we know).

Benefits of Blended Learning

Blended learning sounds cool and exciting, but it's also extremely practical. It makes as much sense as, well, coffee! ☕

Let's look at some blended learning benefits.

1. Cost-effective

With online training technology, blended learning saves companies and other educational institutions a lot of money.

Both learners and instructors spend far less on travel expenses to get to class.

2. More efficient training in the classroom

A blended learning environment makes blended classroom training much more efficient because learners complete online tasks and review online information beforehand.

Learners come to class prepared with questions regarding applying the information instead of having the educators teach all the course content from start to finish.

3. Best of both worlds

A blended learning program combines the best of offline and online learning, balancing absorbing information and returning to the practical world to apply it.

There are limitations on cost, time, money, resources, etc., in offline instruction, but you have direct access to teachers to get questions answered.

In online learning, or eLearning, you have flexibility, accessibility, and the opportunity to cover more material in less time, but no teacher.

The combination makes the benefits of both options more satisfying.

4. Better retention rates

The more engaging a lesson, the better the memory of what's been learned.

Blended learning methods create varied experiences covering the same information through individual study, group discussions, online and/or practical classes, and then practical application.

All these activities help learners better retain information.

5. Self-paced learning

Learners who absorb information quickly can move on to practical applications and/or other lessons faster.

Learners who need more time to review information can do so without feeling like they are holding others back.

Independent learning allows learners to go at their own pace.

6. Strengthens communication

Blended learning strengthens communication because learners take ownership of the learning experience and participate more actively.

Participation and feedback ultimately improve the learning experience for everyone.

7. Benefits different types of learners

A blended learning approach with various learning activities considers learners' different learning styles and needs.

Hands-on learners will appreciate the group work and practical classes, whereas audio learners will enjoy listening to lessons, visual learners will appreciate video sessions, and readers can use blogs, websites, textbooks, and other materials.

8. Adapts to the latest learning trends

Digital learning tools and methods keep improving all the time.

Blended learning is a way to keep instructors and learners on top of these trends as they unfold, speeding up the process and constantly improving right along with educational technology.

9. Global reach

Another benefit of blended learning is the ability to reach learners globally. This is student engagement on a grand scale!

It has the potential to take your corporate training or online course around the world, opening the door to many more opportunities for growth.

10. It's fun

Best of all, blended learning is fun. 🎉

We are social creatures, and it's always more fun and motivating when you can interact with others on the same journey as you and learn from others who have been there before you.

Blended learning creates opportunities to discuss the learning experience, different methods of application, and ways to improve it.

Blended Learning Models

There are different ways to implement blended learning, and the following models are the most popular and practical.

1. Face-to-face driver model

This blended learning model is the closest to the typical classroom model — you have an educator who leads the session and assists with feedback, hands-on training, role play, giving feedback, etc.

These sessions are also supplemented with technology.

2. Online driver model

The online driver model means remote student learning is provided online with little or no live instruction.

Digital material is worked through before, during, or after a class, and learners can access it on mobile phones and tablets and go at their own pace.

3. Rotation model

The rotation model provides a varied learning experience as students rotate from one learning activity to another, either structured or self-directed.

These activities can include learning stations and labs for hands-on practice, reading material, group discussions, and more.

4. Flipped classroom model

In traditional learning, instructors teach a class and then give learners homework to complete.

In the flipped classroom model, learners are given material to work through and questions to prepare for class, making the time spent in class much more effective.

5. Self-blend model

This instructional model is popular because it provides plenty of supplemental content such as blogs, video tutorials, white papers, and webinars where self-motivated learners can choose what they want to use to study a subject in more depth.

The amount of additional material covered is up to the learner.

6. Flex model

The flex model is simply another term for personalized learning where learners choose what they want to learn and at what pace.

Instructors are available to mentor and answer questions as needed.

7. Gamification model

The gamification model uses game elements in a non-gaming context for learning.

Game-based learning uses gamification techniques such as rewards, competition, mastery of different levels on a leaderboard, etc.

This spurs learners to finish working through the material, have fun doing it, and retain what they learn.

(Pro Tip: To implement gamification for blended learning, check out our awesome list of gamification software and our ultimate guide to gamification design!)

Blended Learning Best Practices

Now that you know the different blended learning models you can use, there are still a few more essential points to consider before implementation.

1. Explain blended learning to your learners

It might seem a no-brainer but blended learning is all about communication.

Tell your learners explicitly what you're setting out to do and how blended learning resources will benefit them in their learning experience and the intended outcome.

Once your learners understand that they are a vital part of the blended learning process, they will be motivated to participate, give feedback, and do the work.

2. Write clear learning outcomes and objectives

Be clear on the learning outcomes and learning objectives — the knowledge, skills, and concepts the learner will master by the end of the blended learning course.

Also, don't have too many outcomes or objectives at a time.

Rather, choose 3 key ones, and use the rest for a separate blended course.

Your learners can then focus on mastering the necessary skills and information in order of priority.

3. Consider learning preferences

It's important to remember the context in which you are presenting blended learning — who are your learners, and what are their preferences for learning how to master the skills they need?

Conversations around this question will prevent frustration and make the whole process more efficient from the start.

4. Use the technology

Technology is there to make education easier. Use a learning management system (LMS) or an online course platform that you find easy and intuitive to use, and go from there.

🤓Pro Tip: We think Xperiencify is the very best choice for an online course platform! 😉

Don't overthink it or overcomplicate it. The simpler it is for you to use and tailor to your needs, the easier it will be for your learners and instructors to use it, too.

Implementing Blended Learning

At last, the fun part!

Let's get into the practical steps of implementing blended learning.

These steps are all important for creating an overall learning experience that works, so don't skip this part.

1. Choosing an LMS

Choosing an LMS can easily take you down a rabbit hole, looking at various features. Don't get stuck here!

First, determine the basics you need to get started with.

Keep it simple, start small, maybe even with just an app that you can use on your mobile, such as Trello, Asana, Monday.com, and Google Docs.

You can add more complex features as you grow and your budget allows.

2. Blended learning content

Consider what content you already have that you can use, tweak, or revise, and what else you need to add.

Or create entirely new content.

You want to ensure that the training content you provide for blended learning works and is adaptable to teaching in different ways and formats, such as quizzes, videos, group activities, and more.

3. Use an authoring tool

What will you use to write your content?

If you've not yet considered using something besides Google Docs or Word, take a look at course creation tools, which help you make your eLearning content more interactive without taking too much extra time.

And with the rise of artificial intelligence, you may want to take a look at AI content creation tools.

You can also create and update your content on the go.

4. Create a community

Creating a community for interaction is a key part of distancto e learning because it's more fun than going through a whole course in isolation.

Interaction adds the perspectives and feedback of others, enriching the learning process.

Use social media platforms or tools to create a community around your learning material.

5. Use collaboration tools

Collaboration tools are a must — again, participation and interaction are part of what makes learning more fun, and it also makes it easier for you to provide learning material that is effective and accurate because it becomes a team effort.

There are many free tools to choose from, such as Google Docs, Trello, Asana, and more.

6. Social networks

Social networks have been mentioned above, but they also deserve their own spot in the sun.

Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc., all create a way to expand virtual training on any topic.

It's exciting because, with public posts, you have no idea who might see it and interact, offering more insights and exposure to your material. Use it!

Create your own blended learning experience

Blended learning can drastically improve morale and learner engagement.

Now that we've given you a clear overview of the benefits and some tips and tricks to implement blended learning, it's time to set your own criteria for what this will look like in your business or virtual classroom.