LearnCentrix - blended learning

How Synchronous On-line Learning Fits into an Overall Distance Learning Program

Thu, 08 Dec 2005 12:17:10 -0700

Here is an upcoming online event that is FREE and only 30 minutes. It may be useful.

Thursday, December 15, 1:00 Eastern.

Details clipped from an email announcement that I received:

"Live training via the Web is an important part of any distance learning program. Join us as Josh Bersin outlines how virtual classrooms are best utilized in the training mix and offers suggestions on how to best implement live, Web-based programs to supplement self-paced (asynchronous) and in-person classroom learning. Gain practical, usable tips to help you expand your overall learning strategy.

Sexual Harassment in Webinar

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 11:31:43 -0700

I read a press release on the CLO site this morning about how some states have set requirements for sexual harassment training. The article says that "...sexual harassment training has become mandatory at many companies. In fact, California, Maine and Connecticut now require all managers in companies with 50 or more employees to attend a certified sexual harassment training course by the end of the calendar year."

The rest of the piece was a promo for the providers - Parachute, a HR-risk management company. What I found interesting was that they are going to use Webex. That would imply to me that the training is PowerPoint via conferencing. But they go on to say the session includes "...an award-winning TV-style docudrama that highlights real-world examples. ...All program materials, including video docudrama and companion handbook, can be customized to support a company's exact harassment policy."

Blended Learning More Effective Than Classroom Learning

Mon, 05 Dec 2005 10:01:55 -0700

I read an interview this morning on the e-learningguru.com website. An excerpt of the part I found interesting is below.

The basic idea is to use video clips from movies or TV to show a behavior that is being taught - a form of modeling that can be applied to e-Learning. Travis Bradberry, Ph.D. found that the online training was more effective than the similar training delivered in a classroom. And he also claims that using blended learning produced three times the positive impact of classroom training alone.

I'm wondering if instructional designers in this community has other data or conflicting views of the efficacy of blended learning versus self-paced e-Learning versus traditional classroom learning.

Rethinking Blended Learning

Fri, 02 Dec 2005 16:52:10 -0700

Coloring Outside the Lines: Rethinking Blended Learning
by Patti Shank

Introduction

Economic, political, and sociocultural changes have brought about rapidly increasing needs for education and training over the lifespan, requiring new tools (Brown, 2000; Laurillard, 2002; Luker, 2000; Scardamalia & Bereiter, 1994). Workers face the probability of multiple careers and careers whose skills change rapidly. Continuous learning to meet changing learning needs is becoming the norm. Global economic, political, and cultural interdependence requires new ways of thinking and skills. A decreasing emphasis on circumscribed and unchanging skills and an increasing emphasis on the ability to adjust and improvise, integrate and synthesize new information, and share and communicate changes how and what people need to learn. Because of the need for continual learning, adults are increasingly demanding flexibility and options for gaining essential knowledge and skills (Brown, 2000) while at the same time expressing concerns over frustrations inherent in fully online instruction (Hara & Kling, 1999; Shank, 2002).Technologies will, no doubt, be part of the solution because classroom-based learning isn’t scalable enough to meet the growing need (Luker, 2000). But a more rational and considered use of technology is needed that forgoes hype. The increasing use of blended learning in academe and industry is a part of this more rational and considered use, I believe. This consideration can be taken further with thoughtful reflection on what can be blended for what purposes.

The Hype Over Online Learning