An Approach to a Blended Learning Architecture. by Paul Pinkman Everyone wants their move to blended learning to be a success. Planning the effective use of elearning, as part of a broader learning strategy, can make the difference between success and failure. The best way to ensure that success is to start with a clearly defined model.

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As in any field, there are lots of models to work from when it comes to converting learning from a single mode of delivery into multiple modes. Any number of these architectures have value. Just the fact that you start with an architecture sets you apart from the madding crowd.

Creating and repurposing content for a number of large corporations over the last 10 years has put CRKInteractive in the unique position of seeing what works and what doesn't. Over time, more and more clients have come to us and asked, "How do we get started?", "What's the best material to convert first?" As a result, we have developed a high-level architecture that we use in our presentations and discussions to help clients make the best decisions about how and what to convert first.

The following diagram gives you a visual approximation the way we break down types of learning into three broad categories:

"Facts and general information" is content that is most broadly available and needed by the largest majority of people. This is followed by what we refer to as "Soft" information - basically, information that talks about or expands upon concepts, ideas, relationships, etc. This information is available and generally well understood without too much interaction with other people. And finally there is soft, personalized training, the kind of learning that requires engagement between people.

One of the most important aspects of the diagram above is the labeling on the right side - more public, more private. This represents a scale as it relates to the type of content. The broader the reach of the content, the less the content involves, the more the content can be effectively delivered in a more private manner, i.e. self-paced learning. On the other hand, the more personalized the training needs to be - the more it involves interaction with other people, real-life examples of things such as behavior, personality, interaction with the public - the more this training needs to be handled in a 'public' way (in front of or with other people).

Let's use product training as an example. In the broadest sense, good product training involves:

• information and/or training about the product (how it works, what it is, what it's used for, etc.) 

• information and training about the business goals around this product (strategy behind the product, who the competition is, how it relates to the other company products)

• training about how your behavior and interpersonal skills affects the success of this product (sales training, interpersonal skills, performance expectations, etc.)

So, if we compare our example of product training to the simple diagram above - information and/or training about the product sits in the 'facts, information' area. This is broad-based content that needs to be accessible quickly to a wide audience. In addition, since so much of it is factual and not about opinions, it can be delivered in a self-paced or private delivery mode.

The next type of information, content around supportive ideas such as business goals, strategy, competition, etc., is a mixture of content that works best with some personal interaction. This material, requiring relatively little customization for the individual, allows for delivery as self-paced online, or instructor-led online. These options provide for scalable delivery, at the same time offering more personal interaction.

Finally, the last component of this training - training involving personality, interpersonal behavior, performance expectations and approaches, etc. - is really best delivered with at least some interaction with an instructor. This can be either online instructor-led distance learning or in-class experiences. 

This is looking at product training from the macro level. Within each one of these architectural categories are opportunities for blended approaches. Each section can be viewed the same way as the diagram as a whole. Let's say you are training a group of employees in sales skills. Looking at the diagram as is, you might say it ideally needs to be all instructor-led training. However, apply the same thought process:

• In the sales skills training, which aspects are factual/informational? Make this information available in self-paced format. 
  

• Which information sits in between, relating to business goals, etc? Are there parts of it that don't require a lot of interaction? Less about personal issues or responses? Look at self-paced online or instructor-led online. 

And finally: 

• What are the aspects of sales training that require real-time interaction? Behavior issues? Stylistic issues? In this case, some interaction with other people is required. This is especially true where some form of mentoring would be best deployed.

So, the following diagram captures these concepts:

Just remember, your first step should be to apply a model, an architecture, in making your decisions on how to proceed with a blended elearning approach. That model can be the one discussed above or it can be one of the many alternates. Just start with an approach that takes into account your needs - budgetary, developmental, etc. - but don't forget the most important reason for all of this: 

It's all about the learning! Ask yourself, "What makes it effective learning?" This will ensure success.

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About CRKInteractive, Inc. - CRKInteractive is devoted to helping its clients realize employee potential through tailored learning experiences. CRKInteractive offers diverse training courses and professional services for companies that want to dramatically improve productivity, customer satisfaction and employee retention.

Our curriculum focuses on these critical skill areas designed for business:

• Sales Skills
• Customer Service Skills
• Leadership Skills

Our Professional Services group specializes in website and course development for online corporate learning.

We deliver our curricula via flexible delivery formats, including traditional classroom; live instructor-led training over the Internet or corporate Intranet; and self-paced Web-based courses. For more information please contact us at (978) 474-8657 or visit us on the web at www.crkinteractive.com.