Today, flexible blended learning is becoming increasingly popular. Along with being highly agile, it can lead to better learning outcomes, increase training participation, and keep costs down.
If you’re wondering what flexible blended learning involves, what benefits it provides, and whether it’s right for your organization, here’s what you need to know.
What Is Flexible Blended Learning?
Flexible blended learning is an educational approach that takes blended learning strategies and gives employees choices to ensure their training opportunities meet their needs. Blended learning inherently features some degree of flexibility, as it combines remote and in-person learning to increase convenience and improve access to training. However, flexible blended learning goes further, ensuring employees have several options for how to complete their training. It essentially gives the learner a degree of control over the experience, allowing them to choose the platform, approach, or timing that best meets their needs.How Flexible Blended Learning Benefits Organizations
For organizations, flexible blended learning makes it far easier to achieve training goals. When there are several options for completing objectives, employees will have a far easier time fitting them into busy schedules or adapting their strategy based on their work arrangement. Additionally, flexible blended learning may improve knowledge acquisition and retention, as it allows learners to choose platforms that align with their learning preferences. Further, it can make just-in-time learning possible, as employees aren’t restricted to time-based, simultaneous learning approaches only. Going with flexible blended learning can also turn a company into an employer of choice. Most professionals favor organizations that provide chances to grow and develop. By also making that possible on the employee’s own terms, most professionals will be hard-pressed to find a better arrangement elsewhere. Finally, flexible blended learning can be more affordable than returning solely to in-person training. You can still take advantage of the cost-saving benefits of remote alternatives, making it easier to stay on budget.How Flexible Blended Learning Benefits Learners
For learners, flexible blended learning gives them a degree of control. They can choose the platform that aligns with their preferences, ensuring information is delivered in a way that works best for them. Additionally, they can fit courses into their schedules with greater ease. If they’re particularly busy, they can opt for remote, asynchronous or independent options. If they benefit from engagement and direct instruction, they can choose synchronous courses or in-person classes. Flexible blended learning may also simplify achieving specific career goals. In some cases, learners don’t just choose the modality; they also get to select the courses they take through the training program. In this case, you can choose training opportunities that focus on skill areas that will boost your career, ensuring you can progress at the company with greater ease.Are You Ready to Incorporate Flexible Blended Learning into Your Approach?
In many cases, embracing flexible blended learning only requires some slight adjustments to the current training paradigm. However, they are steps worth taking, as the results can benefit organizations and learners alike. At Clarity, we have nearly 30 years of experience in L&D, giving us the knowledge and expertise to update your training strategy to incorporate flexible blended learning. Plus, if you’re trying to expand your internal L&D team, Clarity can be your candidate search ally, connecting you with top talent right when you need them. If you want to partner with leading L&D professionals, Clarity Consultants is here. Contact us today.
