“Practical ‘how-to’ tips to move from classroom to blended or online”
Ger’s Learning Notes #32
From Classroom Learning to Blended Learning
‘You know Ger, we still do most of our training via classroom’ is often what peers tell me. They do so in a way as if they just confessed a crime. But there is no need for ‘classroom-training-shame’. There can be a thousand good reasons to choose for classroom training and classroom training can be great, very engaging and very effective.
Continuing the conversation they often say: ‘every aspect of our daily live and work now has online elements, so we can’t stay behind’. Fair point. Quite often the conversation continues about the practical struggles that professionals face when they want to evolve classroom training to a more blended and online version.
‘You’re not alone’ is one of the things I often tell them. But that doesn’t really help. So I’m glad that I can now offer them and you this episode of the learning notes with practical ‘how-to’ tips to move from classroom to blended or online. And besides the ‘how to’ they also dive into the ‘why’. The why is very important and that’s why I ‘handpicked’ the four resources with that in mind. Good luck with your classroom-to-blended-learning journey!
(1) Convert Training to Online.
(part 1 and 2)
What’s it about?
Christy describes what needs to be done to convert classroom training to a blended or online design that goes beyond just putting Powerpoint slides online. Sounds familiar?
Why read it?
- Let’s be honest: it is a kind of logic thought to ‘just’ put classroom materials online as a way forward to blended learning. And sometimes it can be a real step forward. But if you want to have more you have to do more.
- Great that Christy advises to first check if learning is the solution to the problem at hand. That a training used to be a classroom training doesn’t mean it still is or ever has been the best solution. Don’t move ‘fake solutions’ online.
- In the first post Christy focuses more on analysis in a very practical, che checklist style way. The second post gives a lot of practical advice how to de the blended or online design
Where to find it?
Part 1: Convert training to online
Part 2: Convert training design online or blended learning
(2) From Classroom to Online,
Think “Transform” not “Transfer”.
by Jane Bozarth
What’s it about?
In this post suggests how one can best redesign instead of transfer classroom training to online with some clear examples and practical tips.
Why read it?
- Jane shows a smart and respectful approach by starting to get a good overview and understanding of the richness of the classroom design before you convert elements online
- First some smart questions will guide your thinking process for the best preparation, analysis first, know what you are doing!
- After that you’ll get a step by step approach on how to move forward and some very useful examples to make your design relevant and engaging.
Where to find it?
Nuts and bolts: from classroom to online think transform not transfer
(3) How to design Blended Learning.
Is blended a solution to my problem?
by Roy de Vries
What’s it about?
My colleague and ‘rising star’ at aNewSpring Roy de Vries supports learning professionals every day in their journey from classroom towards blended or online learning. He shares his rich experience in this post.
Why read it?
- It’s a great step by step approach (starting with step zero! - indeed the ‘why’) of 10 logical steps to get the job done
- Most steps give practical examples and tips and almost every step has a practical checklist at the end
- I very much like his focus on structure and the iterative approach of ‘pilot and test’ that Roy describes. And don’t worry: this post is ‘platform agnostic’!
Where to find it?
(4) Does e-learning work?
What the Scientific Research Says.
What’s it about?
Will Talheimer did a great, great job in reviewing tons of (meta)research to find answers on the important question he asked himself. And like always he comes up with some very interesting and useful answers.
Why watch it?
- Maybe you ask the same question like Will and like to get answers first before you decide to move classroom training to e-learning. And that is the right spirit!
- You will get some very interesting insights with useful nuances of what works and what doesn’t, according to research in different contexts.
- Spoiler alert: Will arrives at a surprising conclusion that both classroom and online learning can be good (or not) but blended learning is the best options. Do yourself a favor to read it and learn why. THANK YOU Will!
Where to find it?
Ger Driesen
Loves to connect people, ideas and inspiration in the global learning community.
On the wish-list to learn: Forging (yes, as forging steel)
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