White Paper

DORMAN WOODALL
Director of SkillSoft Learning

Blended Learning Strategies: Selecting the Best

Instructional Method
Executive Summary
Blended learning is a powerful strategy for many reasons. If well designed, it addresses more learning style requirements, a wider audience, and increased performance or learning results.
Making the best selection of method (media) will greatly enhance these results.
This paper will assist you in answering key questions about how you can deliver
the various components of a well-designed blended learning program. Learning
professionals now have a plethora of choices which include e-learning, classroom
(live or virtual), workshops, Web sites, job aids, simulations, books (hard copy or
virtual) and many, many other choices.

AUGUST 2010
SSWP.1610.0810

White Paper

Blended Learning Strategies: Selecting the Best

Instructional Method

Table of Contents
The goal of blended learning

Defining blended learning

Two key learning experiences

Synchronous instructional methods

Asynchronous instructional methods

Suggested references

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Blended Learning Strategies: Selecting the Best Instructional Method

The Goal of blended learning

Defining blended learning

Blended learning has become the norm in large enterprises

today as a method for delivering training to large, diverse
employee populations. This trend is driven in large part by
the need to deliver more kinds of training to more employees
in more placeswithin existing training budgets. The definition of blended learning has also changed, from a simple
blend of classroom training and e-learning courses to more
complex programs that incorporate an array of synchronous
and asynchronous learning modalities. Whatever the mix, the
goal is to empower the individual to achieve understanding
of a given topic, become self-sufficient, improve his or her job
performance and ultimately drive results that support business objectives.

The term blended learning has become ambiguous. According to Dr. Margaret Discroll, blended learning is defined as a
combination or mixing of at least four different methodologies, including:

Blended learning can support a variety of informal learning

processes. This performance support function is an
increasingly important part of the job for many corporate
training departments. Blended learning expands the traditional role of training beyond the its usual scope of formal
training by providing a robust set of tools that allow employees to obtain the information and instruction they independently and uniquely need, all within the daily flow of work.
A just-in-time approach to learning brings with it new
challenges and new opportunities. Training professionals
need to have a strong understanding of the suitability of
various tools to achieving learning objectives.
Ultimately, good blending is about establishing a balance
between the instructional advantages for the learner and
the learning objective. Blended learning captures the best
of both worlds by allowing learners to pick and choose
how they want to learn and affords them greater flexibility
and convenience about when they want to learn. It can be
as simple as combining two different learning methods
(reading a book before going to a classroom) or as complex
as obtaining a degree via a longer-term distance education
program.

Mixing of technology-based learning (e-learning, collaboration, virtual classroom, etc.)

Combination of pedagogical approaches (behaviorism,
cognitivism and constructivism)
Mixing of forms of instructional technology (face-to-face,
Internet, CD-ROM, etc.)
Integrating instructional technology with actual job
activities
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 70% of workplace learning occurs informally through books and articles,
fellow employees, water cooler discussions and even trial and
error. Only 30% of employee learning takes place through
formal activities such as leader-led classes, seminars or structured courses. However, most corporate training initiatives
focus their efforts, and their budgets, on formal training.
Since most of learning occurs in informal settings, perhaps
the greatest single potential gain for blended learning is
in this area. Currently, many companies are successfully
integrating classroom training with e-learning, mentoring
support, simulations, online reference material and virtual
tools in order to support informal, on-the-job training.
Most of todays investments in learning are on the formal
side of the time to performance continuum. The net result
is that we spend the most money on the smallest part of the
learning equation.
Blended learning goes beyond good and basic training to a
more systematic education that promotes ongoing learning
within the workplace. By developing learning strategies that

Blended Learning Strategies: Selecting the Best Instructional Method

incorporate a wide variety of learning activitiesclassroom

instruction, virtual meetings, online books, mentoring, selfpaced study, simulations and assessmentscompanies can
more efficiently utilize learning resources while offering employees more learning flexibility and improved performance
support. Employees can choose the type of learning that best
suits their particular learning style, the amount of time available and the kind of information needed.

the company is evaluating the development of an additional

50 blended curricula paths.

Two key learning experiences

The fast-paced growth of e-learning has brought about a new
context for learning within corporate and academic organizations. The exciting and developing universe of learnercentric methods balances the traditional classroom approach
and the constantly evolving technology-based learning. This
balance has tremendous potential for building increased
performance within all organizations.

Too often blended learning is viewed as some kind of hastily

mixed learning stew, a potluck combination of instructorled classes, self-study courses,
By mixing traditional methods
corporate library resources and
with new ones, we now have synvarious seminars and conferences.
Media selection must be based on the
chronous and asynchronous tools
learning context, the skills to be
The companies having the greatthat provide modern training and
taught,
the
practicality
of
the
situaest success with blended learning
learning programs with two very
tion and what theory indicates would
take a more methodical approach.
powerful methods.
be appropriate.
For instance, IBMs Basic Blue
The synchronous (real time)
Dick and Carey (1996)
blended learning model structures
domain is the more traditional
curricula so that learners spend
instructional approach to online
approximately 80% of their time
training and has the instructor
obtaining information through a
(or mentor) and learner available at the same time. Usually
variety of self-study materials ranging from white papers,
they are in the same place where all participants share the
student guides and PowerPoint presentations, as well as rolelearning experience and may interact with each other. It is
plays, simulations and assessments. The remaining 20% is
also possible for learners to be in different places at the same
reserved for leader-led classroom study. This approach allows
time. Synchronous training via the Internet is very helpful
the company to condense actual class time, since much of the
to learners that are willing to adjust their learning style away
material is covered in other information sources. Additionalfrom the traditional classroom or lab.
ly, learners attending the classes are better prepared by going
through the prerequisite materials.
Unisys University currently has more than 200 active
blended learning curricula paths encompassing technical
and business skills development. More than 7,000 employees
worldwide are currently enrolled in Unisys University, and
more than 3,500 have completed one or more blended curricula paths. The blended learning curriculum has proven to
be so popular (satisfaction rates range from 85 to 95%) that

Asynchronous (different time) means that the instructor (or

in most cases, computer-based courseware) and the learner
are available at different times, a benefit for self-directed
learners that like to learn at their own pace and own time. A
blended learning solution should place appropriate emphasis
on both important learning domains.

Blended Learning Strategies: Selecting the Best Instructional Method

Synchronous instructional methods

Methods in this domain consist of traditional classrooms, virtual classrooms, live product practice (labs), interactive chats and
mentoring (coaching).
Live classroom (traditional)
Traditional classrooms allow instructors and learners to be face-to-face in the same place. The subjects usually consist of topics
(complex, broad, programmatic or new content) that require face-to-face interactions, expert observation, culture building,
team building, networking, business problem solving or materials to be presented by an instructor or facilitator. The term
instructor-led training (ILT) is used synonymously with on-site training and classroom training (c-learning).
Advantages: Allows the dissemination of unpublished material and learners to have access to peers and experts. Group
discussion and practice can be engaging and add additional interest in a topic. Traditional classroom learning complements
learners with certain learning preferences (those who depend upon highly teacher-centered methods) and is a good method
for people people. It also provides gradual development of complex or difficult concepts and theories.
Disadvantages: Classroom training can be expensive if learners must travel to the classroom location. Also, learners are
required to attend sessions at a set time and classrooms usually require large blocks of time from the learner. If the session is
lecture based, discussion and interaction are reduced. Classrooms can place the learner in a passive role and their attention
may be lost.

Live Classroom Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Teams of people will be using the information and skills

to work together to achieve business goals.

Business goals are not affected by whether people learn

in the same place.

Learners have job roles that permit extended absences

from daily activities.

Learning can be delivered in small chunks, integrated

into the regular activities of the target-learning group.

Skills involve extensive practice in face-to-face interaction with others or practice with complex physical skills.

Business objectives make it difficult for learners to take

extended absence from daily activities.

Comprehension requires group interaction around

subjective topics.

Mastering subject matter is not affected by physical

proximity

Blended Learning Strategies: Selecting the Best Instructional Method

Virtual classroom
A virtual classroom allows instructors and learners to be different places at the same time, and allows the instructor to archive
the event for later viewing. These events are usually conducted via virtual meeting tools. The topics covered can be similar to
those in a live classroom unless it is too complex or contentious.
Advantages: You dont have to be at the classroom location to benefit from the instruction. You can raise your hand by clicking a button. A list of other students in the class is viewable and you can hear an instructor speak. Additionally, the instructor
can pass a virtual microphone to you so that you can be heard by the
entire group. Information can be presented and desktops and computer applications can be shared across the Internet.
Disadvantages: Everyone must be online at the same time. In most cases, the participants need advanced workstations and a
high-speed connection. The instructor must have technical skills, adequate resources and is personally dedicated to making
the event interactive. Just like live classrooms, informational sessions can place the learner in a passive role and learner attention may be lost.

Virtual Classroom Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Business will benefit from rapid distribution of information or skills to widely dispersed groups.

Content is highly contentious or complex.

Content can be effectively delivered in less than one to

two hours.

Retention requires extensive practice.

Business will benefit from ability to capture learner and

presenter interactions and content for reference and
replay.

Business will benefit from professional quality broadcast

recording.

Blended Learning Strategies: Selecting the Best Instructional Method

Live Demo or Practice (labs) Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Business needs are not met by investing in detailed

simulation of complex hardware or software.

It could destroy working products.

Team-based practice is critical to understanding of

complex hardware.

Business goals can be met easily and cost-effectively via

simulation.

Excess capacity of live product and instructors for

in-person training.

Limited live product and experienced instructional staff

available.

Broadcast (TV or Streaming Video) Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Business will benefit from rapid distribution of information to widely dispersed groups.

No business significance to broadcast quality production values.

Business will benefit from professional quality broadcast

recording.

No business value to providing video to supplement

content message.

Content needs to be created quickly, but will not be

updated frequently.

Frequent content upgrades required.

Interactive Chat Session Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Learners have divergent needs that cannot be met by

one-size-fits-all instruction.

Content is highly subjective or potentially divisive.

Expert resources are available for one-to-one information sharing and support.

Experts cannot maintain regular schedules. Technology

limits access.

Blended Learning Strategies: Selecting the Best Instructional Method

Asynchronous instructional methods

Methods in this domain consist of documents and Web pages, Web-based training (WBT), computer-based training (CBT),
CD-ROM, assessments, tests, surveys, simulations and labs and recorded live events.

Online Information via Web site Method

Consider Using This Method When
Basic concepts, policies, procedures, corporate information needs to be available to widely dispersed audience
over an extended period.

Consider Using Another Method When

Content must be updated frequently.
Insufficient resources to maintain Web sites.
Practice is key to mastering content.

Online Instructional Materials Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Practice is key to mastering content.

Content changes infrequently once learners have mastered it, little need to refresh or update skills.

Learners are geographically dispersed.

Small learner population, geographically centralized,

with limited turnover.

Learner job roles demand rapid acquisition of new skills.

Learner technology makes it difficult to access online

content reliably.

Learner job roles require maximum learning schedule

flexibility.

Insufficient resources to maintain Web sites.

Learners have the right technology to access content

and practice at own pace.

Limited or nonexistent performance and learning management systems.

Resources exist to maintain and update content.

Content can be linked to other learning resources.

Blended Learning Strategies: Selecting the Best Instructional Method

Online Reference Materials Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Learners need to access content during flow of work.

Content changes infrequently once learners have mastered it, little need to refresh or update skills.

Learners are geographically dispersed.

Small learner population, geographically centralized,

with limited turnover.

Learner job roles demand rapid acquisition of new skills.

Learner technology makes it difficult to access online

content reliably.

Learner job roles require maximum learning schedule

flexibility.

Insufficient resources to maintain Web sites.

Learners have the right technology to access content

and practice at own pace.

Limited or nonexistent performance and learning management systems.

Resources exist to maintain and update content.

Content can be linked to other learning resources.

Offline Instructional Materials Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Small number of learners makes distributing content

easy.

Rapidly changing content.

Relatively long shelf life for content.

Large, changing user base.

Basic concepts, policies, procedures, corporate

information never changes and does not need to be
communicated widely.

High need for portability.

Need to distribute content widely and update frequently.

Blended Learning Strategies: Selecting the Best Instructional Method

Threaded Discussion Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Learners have divergent needs from the content that

cannot be met by one-size-fits-all instruction.

Content is highly subjective or potentially divisive.

Expert resources are available for group information

sharing and support.

Experts cannot maintain regular schedules.

Learners need to enter discussion at different times

and be able to catch up on conversations that have
occurred.

Technology limits access.

Electronic Performance Support System (EPSS) Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Content supports users developing software application skills.

Learning content is not software.

Learner benefits from on the job access to contextsensitive support.

Limited need to refer back to content information once

mastery achieved.

Learner requires ongoing reference to context-sensitive

support.

Job Aids Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Content key points can be condensed into brief how to

aids.

Content is highly detailed or complex.

Job process changes are frequent, but small and easy to

understand.

Requires extensive interaction.

Learners have already mastered the basics of the job

role processes covered by the content.

Learners have limited need for reference materials after

initial training.

Regulations require checklists or procedures to be

completed exactly in sequence and according to a
specific process without shortcuts or errors.

Blended Learning Strategies: Selecting the Best Instructional Method

Product Simulation Practice (Virtual lab) Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Safe environment required: live practice could destroy

live systems.

More cost effective to work directly on live system.

Possible to work on live system remotely.

Learners cant easily access live systems.

Mastering complex skills requires team-based activities

on working system.

Need for trained users are greater than systems

available for training.

Regulations require certified hands-on practice with live

systems.

Live Practice Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

In-person teamwork central to using new skills to support business results.

Individual practice effective and learner population is

dispersed.

Small, geographically centralized learner population.

Practice most effective if performed in small units

spread out over several days or weeks.

Limited consequences of failure.

Practice most effective if reinforced by application on

the job immediately.

Access to repeated practice critical.

Significant danger if practice on live system fails.

Certification requirements mandate live practice.

Simulation-Based Practice Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Business critical concepts.

Simple concepts can be mastered with information

sharing or informally by most workers.

Legal implications of misapplication.

Small business impacts.

Complete comprehension is critical before live application.

Stable concepts.

Certification requirements.

Blended Learning Strategies: Selecting the Best Instructional Method

Written Tests Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Goal is to test knowledge and information recall.

The required outcome of the training is behavior.

Case study analyses are good indicators of job performance.

There is no right answer.

There is no need to remember; a job aid or example can
be used.

Performance Tests Method

Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Physical performance of a skill or behavior is the

required outcome of the training.

Raters are allowed too much freedom in judging acceptable performance. There are insufficient rater resources
and no means of videotaping performance for later
study.

Observers (raters) can be trained and deployed to

observe performance or analyze work products.

Awareness or knowledge about a skill is sufficient.

Self-Assessments Method
Consider Using This Method When
Elective learning no job role implications.
Within learning overall use in concert with more
formal measures.

Consider Using Another Method When

Tie performance to job advancement.
Develop objective measures of individual and group
performance.
Communicate results except to individual.

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Blended Learning Strategies: Selecting the Best Instructional Method

Formal Certification Method

Consider Using This Method When
Regular certification requirements for job roles.
Regulatory requirements.

Consider Using Another Method When

There is no agreement on what constitutes certifiable
performance.

Books Method
Consider Using This Method When

Consider Using Another Method When

Inexpensive, consistent and pleasantly tangible.

Non interactive.

Portable and easy to transport.

Limited sensory involvement.

High comfort level since everyone knows how to

navigate.

Completing a book is a commitment, only about half are

completed.

Readily available.

Difficult to distribute to a large group of people.

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Blended Learning Strategies: Selecting the Best Instructional Method

Suggested references
A Systematic Approach to Media Selection By William W. Lee and Diana Owens
www.astd.org/NR/rdonlyres/900E19EF-121E-40BC-BBBC-CD15BD25F47F/0/WhitePaperMediaAnalysisFinal.pdf
An Instructional Media Selection Guide for Distance Learning By Jolly T. Holden, Ed.D. Philip J.-L. Westfall, Ph.D. United
States Distance Learning Association 2005
www.usdla.org/pdf/2%20_USDLA_Instructional_Media_Selection_Guide.pdf
ASTD e-Learning Glossary Compiled by Eva Kaplan-Leiserson
www.learningcircuits.org/glossary.html
Blended eLearning: Integrating Knowledge, Performance Support, and Online Learning By Larry Bielawski and David Metcalf
HRD Press 2003 (355 pages) ISBN:0874257174
Blended Learning Book: Best Practices, Proven Methodologies, and Lessons Learned By Josh Bersin Jossey-Bass 2004 (352
pages) ISBN:0787972967
Blended Learning Definition from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blended_learning
Blended Learning Strategies for Best Results, Elearning! Magazine, Winter 2006
www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/b2bmediaco/winter06/index.php
Blended Learning: Lets Get Beyond the Hype By Dr. Margaret Driscoll
www.8.ibm.com/services/pdf/blended_learning.pdf
Developing A Blended Learning Strategy: Instructional Media & Pedagogical Considerations By Dr. Jolly Holden, United
States Distance Learning Association 2007
www.slideshare.net/jtholden/developing-a-blended-learning-strategy-instructional-media-pedagogical-considerations/
Developing Blended Learning Strategies That Work By Clive Shepherd 2006
www.learningtechnologies.co.uk/group/presentations/0401.pdf
Yes, WBT can teach soft skills By William and Katherine Horton
www.horton.com/content/handout_files/softskills.pdf
Blended Learning: Why Everything Old Is New AgainBut Better Caroline Gray, March 2006
www.learningcircuits.org/2006/March/gray.htm

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