LMS-Supported Blended Learning: A Necessity In The Coming Times
Millions of jobs open up every year when the current workers retire to let the new generation of workers take their place. Organizations, thus need more skilled workers from this newer generation in order to fill this gap created by their workers retiring. In order to do that, many corporate organizations upskill their new hires to be prepared for the time when their older workers retire. That is smart thinking. But, in order to do that they must have a learning methodology to train their employees as efficiently and as soon as possible. The only learning methodology to be able to provide such quick and efficient results is blended learning.
As anyone with some knowledge about the eLearning industry will know, blended learning is a superior learning methodology that combines both eLearning and in-person/traditional classroom training. However, blended learning only works wonders if it is implemented in a systematic and effective way. And the best way to do that is to implement the blended learning program with a Learning Management System (LMS).
But, how does having an LMS ensure a successful blended learning program? Let's find out.
How Does An LMS Complement Blended Learning?
1. Easy Tracking Of Both In-Person/Traditional As Well As eLearning Classes
The first and foremost reason that an LMS exists is to distribute and track eLearning across the whole organization. When implemented with blended learning, an LMS can also track learner data for in-person/traditional classes as well. In addition, having an LMS means that eLearning can be accessed from anywhere, at any time, by any employee with a smartphone, which saves a tremendous amount of time that would have been spent taking eLearning courses in the office. The larger an organization, the better an LMS works, and the better it can support the organization’s blended learning program.
2. Improves On-The-Job Learning
Nothing accelerates on the job training like eLearning, except one thing—blended learning. By using a blended learning program supported by an LMS, questions raised during traditional in-person classes can be answered in eLearning, as traditional classes have a fixed time, but eLearning can be accessed whenever the learner wants. This boosts on-the-job learning, as the LMS acts as a reservoir of knowledge the employees can access anytime they’re not sure about something or have a gap in their knowledge. Instructors will have to note any important questions asked during traditional classes so that they can be answered in eLearning courses.
3. Traditional Training Works Best When Reinforced With eLearning And An LMS
Both traditional training and eLearning have their own pros and cons. Blended learning is considered superior to both these learning methodologies exactly because it combines them both, filling the gaps both methodologies contain. While the practical aspects of a certain skill as well as its real-world application can be better explained using traditional classroom training, theoretical aspects, as well as concepts requiring visual representation, can be better explained using eLearning. This makes for a reinforced learning environment.
4. Helps Train Employees Quickly
Perhaps the most important and useful reason for using an LMS-supported eLearning program in your organization is to help train employees quicker. The same amount of information that would take at least 12 traditional classroom trainings to be taught to a group of employees can be easily taught to the same group of employees in 5 days using blended learning. This is not merely an estimate, but the result of an actual real-world application of blended learning in the Intel Corporation. As you can see, it means that blended learning helps training be 2.4 times faster. This wouldn’t be possible without an LMS that is accessible to employees anytime, anywhere.
Thus, an LMS helps in better tracking of employee data in a blended learning program, improves on-the-job learning, reinforces traditional training and helps train employees faster. As a result, almost 70% of all organizations that use an LMS also implement a blended learning approach, improving their employee development and training drastically. If you’re thinking of implementing a blended learning program in your organization, it would be wise to research the markets well and invest in an LMS that fulfills all your needs.
Originally published at cblpro.com.
