M AKE I T H APPEN : I NSTRUCTOR -L ED TO B LENDED L EARNING

M AKE IT H APPEN : ILT TO

BLENDED LE ARNING

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M AKING THE T RANSITION FROM

I NSTRUCTOR - LED TO L EARNER - CENTERED
Every day, more and more L&D organizations are deciding to transition their
instructor-led training (ILT) programs to more blended solutions. Why?
Here are just a few reasons:

 The high costs involved with delivering traditional classroom training

(travel, accommodations, etc.) have organizations rethinking their
standard approach.

 The needs of a rapidly changing workforce must be addressed with

more on-demand solutions.

 Employee productivity is essential, so training must be flexible

enough to fit workloads and schedules.

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Factors to Consider
The decision to move from ILT to
blended solutions should be made
carefully after considering many factors
such as:
The transition is easier said than done. It involves much more than just loading PowerPoint slides into an
e-learning authoring tool, adding some audio narration and calling it a day. If you‟re faced with this
challenge, how can you ensure that the blended training is engaging, instructionally sound, effective and
flexible enough to meet your organization‟s needs? A key is to keep the learners’ needs and desired
learning results as the primary drivers of change, and use them as a guide to transforming the program.
With that in mind, you can follow this process:

 Learners’ abilities and acceptance

of new learning methods. Take a fresh look at the existing ILT program to determine what works
Check and what doesn’t, what’s important and what’s extraneous or outdated.
 The organization’s readiness for
the transition.
Pare down the ILT program to the key points by eliminating the “fluff”.
 The trainers’ skills for Chop
implementing a blended solution.

 The cost of implementing new

solutions. Group learning objectives and content into meaningful, seamless units.
Chunk
 Change management and the most
effective steps to implement the
solution. Question the pared down elements of the ILT to determine how their
Challenge effectiveness can be matched or improved in different delivery mediums.
This article focuses on how to evolve
training materials after all stakeholders
buy in to the decision. Then, and only then, reformat the ILT into new blended solutions using the
Change most
Let‟s look at each of these effective
steps learning
in more detail. strategies and technologies.
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Check

Let‟s look at each of these steps in more detail. The first step to transitioning your existing program is to check out the existing ILT with a thorough
needs assessment. Your goal is to re-analyze the learners, learning objectives and business needs to ensure they are still valid today—and will be
valid in the foreseeable future.

To assess the learners who will be taking the training, analyze the following attributes:

Attribute Considerations

Job titles, roles and This will help you determine the learners‟ needs on the job and how the training can support them. More than
challenges likely, the existing ILT takes this into consideration, but before transitioning it to a blended solution, make sure
you have a crystal clear vision of their responsibilities, challenges and drivers for success.

Work locations Make sure you understand the environment in which the learners work. The training, in whatever mode you
deliver it, should adapt to the environment. For example, employees who work in offices or cubicles have a
broader spectrum of training opportunities than employees in manufacturing plants or on the road. Make sure
that the training you offer learners can be completed successfully in their environment or in a more conducive
location near their environment.

Number to be trained and Will the training be released to the entire company or a focused group with specific job responsibilities? Will
training timeframe the training be completed in a short timeframe or over a few months? Your answers to these questions will
help you determine the best way to deliver the training to learners.

Learners’ interest in the Keeping learners engaged during the training process is vital for knowledge transfer and retention. If the
subject matter subject matter is dry or boring, consider ways to make it more engaging or interesting. You can include role
plays, games, case studies and other activities to immerse learners in the material. Look at how this is done
in the current ILT and start thinking about how you can create these opportunities in the blended solution.

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To assess the learning objectives and business needs: Ask yourself the following questions:

“Do the current learning objectives reflect the most important needs of the business and
the learners?” When answering this question, you can rank the existing learning objectives on
a scale from „essential/appropriate‟ to „unimportant/outdated‟. You might discover new learning
objectives to address during this process, so rank them too. This ranking will help you determine
what to toss, what to keep, what to add and what to make optional in the new blended solution.

“What exactly do we want our audience to know (knowledge), do (skill) and feel (attitude) as
a result of the training?” The type of learning to be attained should drive they way in which
learners get trained. For example, if the information learners need to attain is knowledge based,
they can be presented with the information, but they also need multiple opportunities to assess
their understanding and get support when they need it. For information that‟s skill driven, it‟s
important to give learners opportunities to practice the skills and related decision-making with
hands-on activities and immediate feedback. If you want learners to change their attitude as a
result of the training, they need a collaborative, risk free environment where they can share their
thoughts and feelings with others before, during and after the training. Along with the learning
objectives matrix, you can indicate what type of learning each objective reflects. This will help you
chunk learning into appropriate delivery modes later in the process.

As with any needs assessment, invite key stakeholders to help with the assessment. Business
leaders, managers, subject matter experts, facilitators, employees who have taken the training and
employees who would benefit from the training can provide very valuable input.
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Chop

With your needs assessment complete, you have a great foundation for restructuring your training. Now it‟s time to get rid of the clutter. Go through
the ILT materials and match the content to the learning objectives. Ask yourself "For the audience to accomplish this objective, what exactly do we
need to cover?" Then, refer to your needs assessment ranking matrix and delete any unimportant/outdated content from the participant guide,
facilitator guide, slide presentations and other materials. Keep the essential/appropriate content. What about all the content that ranked somewhere in
the middle? You can choose to:

 Keep it so it can be repurposed as supplemental or optional training.

 Archive it in another format for historical reference.

Remember, though, you do need to provide contextual information to support effective learning, so be sure to keep introductions, transitions from topic
to topic and conclusions.

Chunk Here’s a good rule of thumb:

See if you can break training
Now that you‟ve cut the extraneous information, think about how you can group the remaining
down so each chunk would take
content into the smallest possible learning chunks. How small should the chunks be? Cognitive
no more than 10 minutes to
load theory states that a learner‟s short-term memory can store a very limited amount of new
complete, despite the delivery
information (5-9 bits) at a time, and the more technical the information, the shorter it will stay
mode. Otherwise, your chunk
there. Chunking when you create the blended solutions will help you present small pieces of
may be too large to be digested.
content that learners can quickly digest and move to more permanent memory.

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How do you determine the types of chunks to create? You could chunk the information based on each
learning objective, so each objective has its own chunk. You may also choose to chunk based on
steps in a process, patterns of similar information or another organizational structure. The chunking
technique really depends on the content.

After you create your initial chunks, you can put them in multiple groups based on content. You can
also determine the sequence that these chunks/groups should be learned, so knowledge builds and is
linked to previous knowledge as the learner completes the training.

Challenge

To continue the process, you should now look at the existing chunks of information and determine the
best way to help learners attain and retain the knowledge. The beauty of blended learning is that it
allows you to combine the right elements at the right time and in the right way to create optimal
learning opportunities. There isn‟t a secret formula to help you create this combination and flow; it‟s all
based on the learners‟ needs and the other attributes you assessed.

A great way to start this part of the process is to watch the existing ILT in progress and evaluate how
your learning chunks are being presented and practiced in the class. As you watch the instruction, ask
yourself the following questions:

 When will the content raise questions, and how can learners get the feedback they
need?

 How does the facilitator add value, and how can that be integrated into new blended
solutions?
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 How important is the face-to-face contact among participants and the facilitator, and does it need to be in the same physical space?
 What other social aspects of the ILT benefit learners, and what are some effective ways learners can get this interaction?

 What existing materials (besides ILT) are available to support each chunk?

 How does the facilitator prepare participants for each chunk? How can you set the stage for learning?

After you see the ILT in action, go back to your needs assessment results and the chunks of learning you‟ve created. Then define a learning strategy
that details the learning process and flow. This can be defined in a detailed outline or in a design document. At this point, don‟t worry about the
technology or format you‟ll use to create the training material; just concentrate on the learning method that will work best. And keep in mind that, even
after all this planning, some parts of the training might still work best as ILT.

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Learning Types Here are some ideas and examples for presenting the essential/appropriate information based on the type of learning required:

~ Knowledge-based Learning ~ ~ Skills-based Learning ~ ~ Changing Attitudes ~

For chunks of knowledge-based learning, For chunks of skills-based learning, you may For chunks that focus on changing attitudes,

you may choose to start the learning process choose to introduce chunks of content and you may want learners to get together before

as a group, with a “big picture” introduction or then allow learners to immediately practice the training to discuss their expectations and

overview. You may want learners to then using the skills in a real-life scenario or current mindset. As they actively engage in

discover the basic principles on their own activity. Or you may want learners to the learning process, you may choose to

and later meet with a mentor, facilitator or discover the chunks of information as they provide regular opportunities for them to

other learners to discuss what they learned. work through multi-phased simulations or discuss their insights with peers, a mentor or

You may also choose to assess learners case studies. After activities or phases of the a facilitator. Maybe the learners could do

after each group of chunks, to check for case study, you may want learners to meet role-play activities or complete projects to

understanding and let learners go back and with a mentor or take an assessment to apply the behaviors they’ve learned.

review fuzzy concepts. evaluate their progress and skills mastery.

They could even watch and help someone

who is performing the skills on the job.

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At this point, it‟s also advisable to get the stakeholders involved again. Collaborate with them when
designing your learning strategy, and pass it by them for review/approval after you‟ve drafted your Let It Flow!
strategy. As you can imagine, you‟ll probably formulate lots of ideas on tools/technologies for presenting
the information to learners as you create your learning strategy. It‟s important to just let these ideas To optimize the flow of information as you
simmer in your mind until you‟ve finalized strategy, so you don‟t box yourself in to a solution that may not piece together the learning chunks, try to
be best for the learner. include these methods in each grouping:

 Introduce the topic.

Change  Provide an overview that links the

topic to previous learning and helps
form a big picture in the learner’s
After your learning strategy is finalized, it‟s time to determine the best tools and technologies for your mind.
blended solution. As you do this, keep three things in mind: consistency, framework and organization.
 Allow the learner to acquire the new
Your learning chunks need to be fully integrated in a logical flow, with seamless transitions, to be
information.
instructionally effective. No matter what delivery format you use, the learning experience needs to be
 Let the learner see the new
consistent so learners know what to expect. A blended solution doesn‟t just “happen”; you need to build a
information demonstrated.
fine-tuned learning engine. Here are some considerations that can help you select the best modality for
the content:  Let the learner practice applying the
new information, assessing progress.

 Be sure to use the needs assessment results to drive your tool/technology selections.  Provide feedback on the learner’s
progress.
- Knowledge-based content: Self-paced learning (online courses, self-study workbooks,
whitepapers, books) with support (emails, listservs, forums, ILT, webinars and  Review the key concepts.
knowledge repositories)
 Close the learning and transition to
- Skill-based content: learning labs with activity guides, simulations and demonstrations the next topic.

- Attitude-based content: collaboration, ILT, discussions, webinars and group

projects/presentations

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 Consider some of the “tried and true” delivery formats and their appropriate uses in the following table.

Delivery Format: E-learning

Uses: Large audiences, pre-work before a synchronous learning event, self assessments, content that may be
physically dangerous to the learner if practiced “live”, content that requires a lot of practice, content that must be
consistent (such as compliance and certification), content that may require insight or reflection; Knowledge,
comprehension and application levels of learning

Delivery Format: VILT (Virtual instructor-led training)

Uses: Small to medium sized team training, skills reinforcement, Q&A, short discussions, introductions and
summaries of a learning chunk

Delivery Format: ILT

Uses: Content that would benefit from physical role plays, collaboration with feedback, soft skills practice, content
that requires a high degree of learner support

Delivery Format: OJT (on-the-job training)

Uses: Hands-on skill application, observation of skills being applied by an expert, repeatable tasks, mentoring, job
shadowing; Analysis, synthesis, evaluation levels of learning

Delivery Format: Social Media

Uses: Large dispersed audiences, best used in conjunction with more formal structured learning formats, content
that changes rapidly or is in flux, content that may require insight or reflection, learner-generated content that
benefits from collaboration with feedback
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 Learners can take your training synchronously (at the same time) or asynchronously (at
different times). ILT is an obvious example of synchronous training, but webinars, video
conferencing with live chat, online debates, whiteboard discussions and application
sharing can also keep learners engaged and motivated in a single virtual setting.
Asynchronous can be very beneficial to learners because they can take control of their
own learning and do so when it‟s most convenient and appropriate for them. If you‟re
thinking about developing asynchronous learning, be sure to consider whether online
courses, online scavenger hunts, job aids, videos, etc. can meet your learners‟ needs
and the desired learning results.

 All learning does not have to be in a formal format. There are many innovative, cutting
edge informal formats you can use, and you may feel like a kid in the candy shop when
trying to select the most appropriate ones to try. Although online courses, self-paced
workbooks and webinars may be optimal for some content, learners might also benefit
from more informal approaches such as listservs, forums, social media (Facebook,
Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.), blogs, wikis and mentorships. A strong blended solution will
include formats that best fit the content and can be successful with the corporate/IT
restrictions.

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 Words might not always be the best way to communicate your message. You
can use video, graphics, icons, ideograms, picture stories, knowledge maps
and other visual images to relay the information. Don‟t be afraid to think of
creative ways to visually communicate your information. Remember, a picture
is worth a thousand words.

 What will facilitators and/or learning administrators need to know to supervise

and support learning? Be sure that the formats you choose are intuitive for
both learners and those who support them.

 Measuring effectiveness throughout a training program is essential. Tools you

select to collect and measure data can be as complex as a Learning
Management System or as simple as a survey.

Remember, learner needs and business goals should be the drivers that help you select
the most appropriate tools/technologies. You should also consider factors such as the
time and cost to develop the solution, cost of development tools and your team‟s ramp-up
time for the new technologies.
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Scenario

To help you visualize the ILT to blended learning

transformation, here‟s a scenario for you to
consider.

Situation: A company with five branch offices

throughout the U.S. conducts monthly new
employee orientation training at its corporate
office. For this three-day program, employees
from all branches come to the company‟s
headquarters. Then they return to their branch
offices for an additional day of training. This
scenario covers what would typically be covered
during the first day of the orientation.

Process: After checking the existing new hire

orientation ILT and chopping out the extraneous
and outdated materials, the Learning &
Development team grouped the learning
objectives for the first day of training into the
following chunks. Then they analyzed the new
topics to develop a learning strategy and flow.
Finally, they determined a more effective delivery
method for each learning chunk.

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~ Synchronous Activities: Morning of Day One ~

Learning Chunk / Current New Blended Delivery Method for the Content
ILT Delivery Method

Company Overview: The video is posted on Youtube, and each new employee’s manager sends a welcome
email with a link to the video.
“Welcome to the Company”
video delivered by CEO The new hires watch the video before coming to orientation and write a one-minute
“elevator speech” about how they perceive their role in the company.

Introduction to New New hires meet at their branch offices. A facilitator in the corporate office
Hire Orientation conducts a web meeting for all offices so the new hires can meet each other and
start the program. They introduce themselves by giving their elevator speech.
The facilitator introduces the learners to a special website created specifically for
their new hire class. They can use this site to ask/answer questions, share links and
meeting invitations and post pictures and information about themselves.

Office Tour New hires participate in team scavenger hunts at their district offices. They are
provided with a list of questions and key contacts. They must find the key contacts,
ask them the designated questions and record their answers. When they have
finished, members of each team deliver their answers to a designated supervisor
and discuss what they learned.
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~ Asynchronous Activities: Completed During the Week of Orientation ~

Learning Chunk / Current New Blended Delivery Method for the Content
ILT Delivery Method

Company Policies New hires listen to a series of podcasts on company policies. Each podcasts has a
PowerPoint matching job aid that learners receive after listening to the podcast. After
completing all podcasts, new hires take an online assessment to verify that they
Presentation
understand the policies.

Available Resources New hires receive an email that directs them to a webquest, where they search the
Lab company Intranet to learn more about the resources available to them. When they
complete the webquest, they receive an email with a coupon for a free lunch in the
branch office cafeteria.

Presentation from IT New hires attend individual face-to-face meetings with a mentor or designated IT
Representative technician. During this meeting, they discuss the software and hardware they will be
using on their job, and they are directed to a set of online demos that will teach
them how to set up and use the technology. They use online messaging to notify
their mentor/technician when they are finished with the demos, and their contact
emails them some job aids for the tools.

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Testimonials Here’s what other L&D professionals are saying about migrating from ILT to blended learning. These excerpts come from a discussion on LinkedIn—
from the Learning, Education and Training Professionals Group.

Question: In a recent industry survey, over 60% of the respondents indicated that they were going to migrate from instructor-led classroom training to e-learning or
blended learning. Easier said than done, right? Based on your experiences, what advice would you give to help these folks with the transition? Thanks for your
thoughts!

“It’s important to be aware of the range of
possibilities that [blended learning] opens up.
For one thing, it's a lot easier to have privately
coached reflective activities in an online venue
than it is in a classroom with lots of students …
Group interaction, coached interaction,
application to live work situations, all can be
organized into an experience that can be even
more engaging than the classroom.”
~ Valerie
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“The first step in designing any learning
experience (especially when that learning
experience will be delivered with a new
medium) is assessment. Assess everything
and everyone. Assess learners’ knowledge and
skills as you would for ILT, but also their
readiness and preparedness for receiving
training in an online or blended environment.
Assess the organization's readiness for the
transition, the trainer's/instructor's knowledge
and skills related to online or blended learning
and all support personnel for their knowledge
and skills related to delivery. When making
such a transition, an organization cannot spend
too much time assessing their own needs for
making the transition, and the steps they need
to take to cause the least negative impact on
their learners.”
~ Cindy
“Part of the role of L&D has to start with the
business needs of the company. Although I am
totally on board with assessment of learner
needs, I feel assessment of *corporate* needs
should be right in the mix (and these may not be
the same). The issue is demonstrating that
learners can perform better after a learning
blend. The assessment should include line
manager performance metrics. Most line
managers have to provide performance metrics
to their managers, so there is no reason why
they can't provide them to L&D. The next step is
to determine if and how L&D can affect those
metrics, and to map out a blend that should
move learners to improve on the metrics.
Assessment can be used formatively in the
blend or summatively, both to improve the quality
of the blend and the results. Finally, 30, 60 and
90 day comparisons with the managers' metrics
can determine whether they have improved..”

~ Sherry
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Do you need help getting started with your transformation to blended learning? Our consultants have extensive expertise in design and
development of live instruction, e-learning and tailored blended solutions. Contact us today! Michaels & Associates—we put ideas into action.

info@michaelsandassoc.com www.michaelsandassoc.com toll-free: 877-614-8440

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