Comments

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  David Wilson January 27, 2009 at 9:04am

  Sorry Mark, I don't agree. The term "blended learning" means nothing only to those who wish to interpret it as such. Of course most learning or training has historically involved the use of multiple approaches or media. That doesn't make it "blended" as the term was originally used to imply an integration of traditional and e-learning techniques, normally in a programmatic context. That isn't a meaningless definition - it's just one that that some people find it convenient to ignore or deny in order to ignore or deny the adoption of technology supported learning.
  
  We do a lot of research into L&D in major corporates and very few of them have any kind of systemic model for blending or do it in scale. Not because it wouldn't help them improve the efficiency or effectiveness of the learning process (my interpretation of Alan's point) - but rather because they are still stuck in the naive belief that classroom training is the best model for them. Any form of objective analysis of this position would demonstrate it is patently not true.
  
  Whilst I've never been the greatest supported of the blended hype that existed a few years ago (read some of my back articles on the subject) - I have no doubt that blending technology-supported learning into the core training provision is a very relevant strategy that will only grow in importance as companies recognise the inadequacies of what and how they do it today.
  
  ps. Do agree with your point about "training" though. For many talk of "learning" is little more than a bit of marketing spin.
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  Mark Berthelemy January 27, 2009 at 8:36am

  Hi Alan,
  
  "Blended learning" is one of those buzzwords that actually means nothing. It's simply what good teachers have been doing for centuries - using an appropriate mix of the available resources and techniques to help their teaching. The word I have most issue with here is "learning", when we're really talking about "teaching"!
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  Alan Bellinger January 26, 2009 at 8:07pm

  How to define "Blended Learning" is an interesting one! It's either a mix of technology-based and live to achieve a given result in LESS TIME; or it's allowing a learner to use EITHER technology-based learning OR classroom depending on their learning style and/or deployment considerations. In IT Training magazine some months ago I came up with my preferred definition - a blend of formal and informal learning interventions!!!