Effective Preparation and Follow-up of Learning Material

Blended learning with a learning app is favored by many companies in corporate training today. “Blended” is derived from the English word blender and specifically means "mixed learning." "Hybrid learning" skillfully brings together the advantages of face-to-face instruction and e-learning.

“The strengths of blended learning lie in the optimal design of the preparation phase and the follow-up phase of learning processes. While the preparation phase for face-to-face events ensures similar basic knowledge among participants via e-learning, electronic follow-up via e-learning ensures learning transfer that classic face-to-face events cannot provide.” (Source Wikipedia)

The preparation and follow-up of face-to-face instruction

• increases the quality of further training
• is more flexible than ever with a learning app!
• reduces the number of necessary face-to-face hours
• thus saves on training costs

It is no wonder, therefore, that companies frequently opt for blended learning with a mobile learning application. 97% of the companies surveyed as part of the “Learning Delphi” 2015 classified blended learning as a highly relevant form of learning in professional education and training. Click here for the study.

Blended Learning App: Maximum Learning Efficiency and Effectiveness

Blended learning is a reaction to the changing learning needs of our time, which center primarily on the factor of flexibility. This “hybrid form of learning” was first used in the 1970s. At that time, traditional learning was combined with the new media of audio and video. In the 1980s, Computer Based Training (CBT) based on CD-ROMs was added to the training mix.

Today, by integrating learning apps into blended learning processes, companies achieve unprecedented learning flexibility. The learning app on a personal smartphone, tablet, or iPad allows users to get started with their educational offerings quickly and easily. Through self-determined learning times, locations, and access options, it enables maximum flexible usage.

Those who struggle with a quiz app or flashcard app due to a lack of affinity for mobile devices will feel well-supported in the face-to-face part of the blended training. In introductory face-to-face seminars as well as during on-site phases, the dialogue between learners and instructors, and among the learners themselves, takes place face-to-face. Questions can now be answered personally and effective learning groups can be formed. Through the interplay of face-to-face and e-learning phases, blended learning models appeal to different types of learners.

Blended Training with Learning Application – A Mix of Advantages

Learning App – Strengths:

• Preparation of learning content for face-to-face events
• Follow-up, deepening, and expansion of acquired knowledge
• Self-directed and individualized learning
• Realization of temporal and spatial flexibility (“Learning anytime and everywhere”)
• Optimal learning by setting thematic priorities
• Self-determined learning pace
• Good clarity and comprehensibility of the learning material
• Well-proportioned knowledge transfer through division into learning units
• Thereby fulfilling the learning needs of the human brain
• Use of diverse media (text, image, animation, video, sound)
• Integrability of different tasks (practical relevance, theoretical part, games, group work, individual work)
• Implementability as a practical flashcard app, animating quiz app, or game app
• Reaching different learning types through a mix of components
• Clarification of questions and knowledge exchange in dialogue networks (e.g., app chat)
• Forwarding to supplementary learning resources such as databases, online lexicons, expert knowledge
• Thus, additional expansion of knowledge
• Determination of the learners' knowledge level through integrated learning success checks
• Detection of frequent error sources
• Options for changing and expanding app content through authoring tools

Face-to-face events – Strengths:

• Introduction to the learning app at the beginning of the training
• Answering questions about the app and learning material
• Avoidance of the feeling of isolated learning
• Building trust in the subject matter and the people involved
• Getting to know learners and teachers
• Connecting names with real people
• Thereby improving communication in the app area
• Facilitating the finding and collaboration of learning groups
• Exchange of experiences and reflection on app content
• Positive effects on motivation and perseverance
• Reduction of dropouts

Examples of Blended Learning Applications

Purely face-to-face learning formats have no future in contrast to mixed learning. The significance of face-to-face events in any given blended learning program depends heavily on its content and objectives. For some further training, it is possible to dispense entirely with face-to-face instruction. However, experts recommend that longer training measures with participants inexperienced in e-learning be conducted as blended training.

In some subject areas, further training cannot do without face-to-face seminars at all. When it comes to imparting practical skills such as for a driver's license test, professional life, sports, or first aid, there are limits to pure e-learning. In areas like these, the learning app fulfills an important preparatory function for practical practice in face-to-face events by conveying theoretical foundations.

Another example of the effective combination of learning applications and on-site seminars is pilot training. Despite elaborate simulation technologies, learning apps & Co. have not yet been able to completely replace the face-to-face instruction of prospective pilots. Recurring employee training on topics such as occupational safety as part of regulatory requirements is preferably carried out as blended learning in many companies.

Training Providers Use Mobile Learning

Among distance learning universities, the Fernuni Hagen assumed a pioneering role in 2012 in terms of blended learning with a learning application: “With the Hagen developments, distance learning students can easily and conveniently access supplementary texts, podcasts, videos, or interactive elements directly while working on their study materials. Paper is thus integrated in a multimedia way. In this way, the overwhelmingly employed distance learning students can also learn comfortably while on the move, in buses, trains, on vacation, or on business trips...”. Naturally, distance students still have to travel for exams.

Blended Learning – Planning and Conception

The art in the development of blended training is the ideal combination of media-based and face-to-face teaching-learning formats. Furthermore, the optimal coordination of the e-learning part and the face-to-face part is a prerequisite for the perfect preparation and follow-up of face-to-face instruction. The factor of fun in e-learning should not be underestimated either. Knowledge transfer reaches its maximum effectiveness and sustainability when there is an emotional and substantive connection, as well as personal involvement and motivation.

Which content can be taught theoretically and which must be taught practically? keeunit is knowledgeable about questions surrounding blended learning. As specialists for e-learning, we are your contact partner for the development of learning applications for your blended learning projects.