The Blended Learning Book : Best Practices, Proven Methodologies, and Lessons Learned

As e-learning gurus and vendors hype the industry about a mad rush toward internet-based training, a more balanced approach has emerged: blended learning. The Blended Learning Book is your user’s manual for implementing blended learning. It gives you a guidebook to combining the latest technologies with traditional training models to create high-impact programs that drive superior business results (not just reduce costs). Filled with real-world examples and case studies from organizations such as Accenture, BI, Cisco, FedEx Kinko’s, Grant Thornton, IBM, Novell, the U.S. Navy, Verizon, and more, e-learning veteran Josh Bersin zeros in on What Works™ in all shapes and sizes of training departments from a variety of industries. Broadly and deeply researched, the book clears up many misconceptions about blended learning while providing a clear and comprehensive understanding of the principles and proven best practices. For training and learning professionals, The Blended Learning Book provides The two approaches and the five blended learning models that have been proven successful A detailed review of the 16 media options for blended learning and a road map to selecting the right media set for the right problem A solid methodology to develop the budget, select infrastructure, develop content, and manage a blended learning program A large library of case studies and examples, with content samples and detailed program outlines A set of "lessons learned" in every chapter An accompanying website, www.blendedlearning.com, with up-to-date techniques, new case studies, and job aids A comprehensive look at the most discussed trend in training, The Blended Learning Book describes each step in defining, budgeting, building, managing, and measuring blended learning programs. With the accompanying website, learning professionals will be able to stay current on the emerging trends and future directions of blended learning. 0787972967 Preliminaries 1 Contents 9 Introduction 15 Chapter One : How Did We Get Here? The History of Blended Learning 23 The Evolution of Technology-Based Training 24 Instructor-Led Training 24 Mainframe-Based Training 25 Satellite-Based Live Video 27 The PC CD-ROM Era 28 Development of Learning Management Systems and AICC 30 Enter Web-Based Training: The First Generation 32 Today: A Wide Range of Options 34 Lessons Learned in This Chapter 34 Chapter Two: The Business of Blended Learning 37 The Issue of Limited Resources 38 Portfolio Management: Identifying High-Impact Investments 38 Program Portfolio Allocation 40 The Trap of “Cost Reduction” Programs 41 High-Impact Programs 43 Creating Measurable Goals 46 Certification Programs: A Special Case 48 Alignment with Business Objectives 49 Blended Learning Is a Powerful Business Tool 51 Lessons Learned in This Chapter 52 Chapter Three: Blended Learning Design Concepts 53 How Do People Learn? 53 The Goal of Mastery 55 Six Modes of Learning 56 Research Supports the Value of Experiential Learning 61 Blending Works: Thompson Job Impact Study 62 Cultural Goals: Socialization and Gaining Attention 64 The Four Types of Corporate Training 67 Tracking and Reporting as a Program Characteristic 69 Lessons Learned in This Chapter 74 Chapter Four: Proven Blended Learning Models 77 The Two Approaches to Blended Learning 78 Five Specific Blended Learning Models 105 Lessons Learned in This Chapter 116 Chapter Five: Eight Criteria for Selecting the Blending Model 119 Criterion 1: Program Type 120 Criterion 2: Cultural Goals 120 Criterion 3: Audience 123 Criterion 4: Budget 127 Criteriion 5: Resources 128 Criterion 6: Time 133 Criterion 7: Learning Content 135 Criterion 8: Technology 138 Lessons Learned in This Chapter 139 Chapter Six: Developing the Budget 141 Sizing the Budget: Define the Size of the Problem 142 Compute Cost Per Learner 144 Economics of Blended Learning 145 The Five Components of the Budget 146 Real Costs: The Blended Learning: What WorksTM Study 151 Lessons Learned in This Chapter 164 Chapter Seven: Media Selection: The Right Blend 165 Review of the Selection Criteria 166 The Sixteen Media Types 166 When to Use Instructor-Led Training 166 When to Use On-the-Job Exercises 168 When to Use Live vs. Self-Study 171 Program Type 1: Information Broadcast Programs 176 Program Type 2: Critical Knowledge Transfer Programs 177 Program Type 3: Skills and Competency Programs 178 Program Type 4: Certified Skills and Competencies 179 Media Selection 181 Lessons Learned in This Chapter 196 Chapter Eight: Content Development 199 The Instructional Design Team 200 Typical Content Development Challenges 201 Developing a Program Plan 202 The Instructional Plan 202 Developing Standards 203 Making Content Reusable 205 e-Learning Content Development Process 206 Working with SMEs 208 Developing Webinar or Live e-Learning Content 209 Development Tools 211 Simulations 215 Content Development Tips and Techniques 222 Outsourcing Content Development 224 Lessons Learned in This Chapter 226 Chapter Nine: Learning Technology and Infrastructure 229 Review of Blended Learning Infrastructure 229 Using and Setting Standards 237 How Much Learning Infrastructure You Need 238 Do You Need an LMS at All? 239 Low-Cost LMS Approaches 240 LCMS and Development Tools 241 Lessons Learned in This Chapter 243 Chapter Ten: Program Management: Launch, Rollout, Support 245 The Challenge of Utilizing e-Learning 246 Review the Program Schedule 247 Program Launch 248 Executive and Management Support 249 Specific Launch Events 251 Ongoing Marketing 252 Support and Operations 254 Learning Labs 255 Field Coordinators 256 Measuring and Reporting Progress 257 Communication with Upper Management 259 Communication with Line Management 260 Lessons Learned in This Chapter 264 Moving Forward 267 Why Blended Learning Is So Important 267 Where Blended Learning Is Going 268 Appendices 271 Appendix A: Case Studies and Solutions 271 Appendix B: Blended Learning Study: Financial Overview 277 Appendix: C: Case Study Business Strategies 281 Appendix D: Program Checklist 283 Appendix E: Eight Criteria for Media Selection 287 Appendix F: Sixteen Media Types and Descriptions 291 Appendix G: Glossary 301 Appendix H: Selected Samples of Courseware and Media 307 Appendix I: Sample Detailed Instructional Plan 313 About the Author 333 Index 335 Pfeiffer Publications Guide 343 "A comprehensive look at the most discussed trend in training, The Blended Learning Book describes each step in defining, budgeting, building, managing, and measuring blended learning programs. With the accompanying website, learning professionals will be able to stay current on the emerging trends and future directions of blended learning."--Jacket