Blended Learning in ActionJohn Cropper, Director Project Services, LINGOs (
[email protected]) Karen Chio, Senior Project Officer II, Management
Sciences for Health ([email protected]) November 28, 2012
Why are you here?
“Blended learning” methods, the combination of a variety of learning media (face-to-face, online, print, mobile, etc) and learning environments (instructor-led, teamwork, peer-to-peer interaction, self-study and individual work), may enable moreopportunities for application and support to learners than traditional approaches.
What is blended learning?
Example: MSH’s VLDP
http://vldp.msh.org/mande10
http://pmdpro4you.ning.com/
Example: LINGOs Project Management for Development
Cost-saving Scalable Application of learning on-the-job Works in low connectivity Flexible Allows for cross-fertilization Challenges power dynamics and enables
more participation
Advantages
Design must be very well-thought-through before execution
Consider the specific target audience Facilitators have less control than in face-to-
face environments Participants may see the training as “less
serious” than face-to-face and be more distracted
Challenges
Things to keep in mind
• Start with your learning objectives and target audience in mind
• Blend delivery methods to mitigate the impact of low connectivity
• Provide performance support over time
Communicate timeline, expectations, and instructions clearly and often
Clear written communication, keep an encouraging tone
Invest in facilitation
Things to keep in mind
Things to keep in mind
Hold participants accountable In order to scale-up, establish
and document successful processes and data collection: standard facilitation procedures and
training content development and management
processes project management procedures and
training tracking, data collection, and performance
improvement processes
Comments? Questions?