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You want to make your training programmes more appropriate to business imperatives and individual needs but are not sure what will work |
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You want to introduce some blended learning interventions but don't have the time to sit down and go through all the options |
blended learning zone can help you analyse your existing training provision and achieve these objectives.
Kate heads up the team at blended learning zone. She was commissioned to write Blended Learning for the CIPD L&D Journal in 2008 and is a published author of training books and manuals including Ice Breakers 2/ Beginnings and Endings and 10 Team Builders for Gower, Indoor and Outdoor Team Development, Managing People through Redundancies, Mergers and Acquisitions and Practical Decision Making for Managers for Fenman which are available in both the European and US markets.
Kate has over 25 years experience as a management training consultant providing F2F training, executive coaching and instructional design services for a wide variety of clients in UK, Europe and the Middle East in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
Kate has her own team of hand picked training consultants to bring onboard when needed to provide a broader range of services or a subject-specific service to clients. These experienced learning consultants are carefully chosen and share the blended learning zone philosophy.
 "Blended learning provides us with both a challenge and an opportunity. We have a magnificent array of online possibilities to explore in delivering training but they mustn't become the 'be all and end all' of training; we still need to choose the most appropriate method to provide what is needed. One thing is certain 'one size does NOT fit all' anymore!
"I am passionate about providing practical, just-in-time learning solutions which support both individual development needs and organisational objectives. I help motivated and engaged HR/L&D managers find ways to meet their organisation's learning needs. These needs will vary over time but in today's climate will often include cutting costs of training, providing solutions to embed learning in the global workplace and driving forward business objectives to develop true learning cultures." |
| Case Study #1 |
| The client |
KPMG LLP Europe 2009/10 |
| The brief |
Design original self-study training materials to address issues of time management and personal organisation for graduate entry across Europe in line with existing behavioural objectives as part of wider move to blended learning |
| The client's dilemma |
Culture shift towards blended learning in a number of skills areas to reduce F2F training
Graduate entry does not usually have much business experience
Need for manager involvement to support this self-study learning process
Need for integration with existing and developing e-learning materials, F2F modules |
| The process |
Research with the client and contact throughout the project to ensure complete integration of the self-study materials with other learning methods used
Day spent with project manager to clarify brief
An overall self assessment questionnaire was developed to take learners through a coherent learning pathway appropriate to their current needs
Design and develop five instructional learning workbooks on various themes of time management and organisation including self-assessment exercises and practical assignments
Develop a managers' support manual and user guide
Participation in conference calls to discuss progress
Pilot programme launched in UK and Germany
Results of pilot programme considered and materials revised accordingly |
| The outcomes |
All elements of the learning are now in place and being offered to a wider group
Pilot participants have reported favourably on the materials and especially on ease of use and said that they found the self-study aspect effective in focussing on their own areas of development
Work continues to support managers in supporting their staff who are undertaking the programme |
| Case Study #2 |
| The client |
Volunteer Centres, Ireland (VCI) Ireland, a national organisation with responsibility for developing volunteering nationally and locally 2008/9 |
| The brief |
Design F2F modules on management of volunteers for regional centre managers with complete 'training trainers' instruction |
| The client's dilemma |
Need to provide consistent management training over 21 regional centres to improve volunteer management
Need for better retention and recruitment of volunteers
Lack of training skills amongst managers who will deliver the training |
| The process |
Review and examination of existing policies and procedures, ad-hoc training events and challenges with CEO and her team
Decision to design four half day modules to be delivered at regional centres by selected group of manager/trainers
Four half-day modules developed using instructional design techniques to provide full training materials including handouts, PowerPoint presentations etc.
Design of a 'How to use this Resource' document for managers/trainers
Comprehensive training the trainers notes
6 month and one year progress check |
| The outcomes |
Training the trainers course January 2009 and first course offered May 2009
Now over 40 staff are trained to deliver the programme which has led to up skilling of the managers concerned
25 + courses are held per year at different regional centres
Feedback very positive
Managers report increased retention of volunteers, better recruitment of new volunteers and added value from existing volunteers |
| Case Study #3 |
| The client |
Jubilee Consultants, an Anglo-French learning and development consultancy 2009 |
| The brief |
To design and develop a blended learning approach based on a successful existing face-to-face programme for delivery to a group of international senior managers in a global company |
| The client's dilemma |
Highly experienced in training delivery but no instructional design skills
Expected to develop a blended learning programme in leadership skills with a considerable cost saving over existing F2F programme
Target group members have little available time to attend training
Participants geographically separate |
| The process |
Examine the existing F2F programme with the client and clarify learning objectives to identify areas requiring possible development and the needs of the target group
Design a blended learning approach to meet these learning objectives with no F2F contact because of costs involved |
| The outcomes |
The following blended learning methodologies were chosen to meet the learning objectives:
- Introductory webinar
- Online training sessions
- Instructional learning workbook for offline working
- 1:1 coaching
- Group forum for group networking and interaction
These methods achieved the cost savings required
Participants found the programme engaging whilst being convenient in terms of the delivery methodologies |
| Case Study #4 |
| The client |
Worker's Education Association, UK, UK’s largest voluntary provider of adult learning 2008 |
| The brief |
To design a national Men & Health training programme to highlight issues of concern in the area of men's health and promote preventative measures |
| The client's dilemma |
Need to raise the profile of the issue of men and health in the community
Lack of consistency of training provision across regional networks
Lack of time on behalf of the Area Tutor Organiser to bring his project to a satisfactory close |
| The process |
Review and rewrite of available materials (handouts, articles etc) into a comprehensive workbook for participants; addition of original instructional learning materials
Design and development of a modular training programme based on 6 key areas of men's health to be delivered as 6 x half-day workshops
Design and development of trainer's guidance notes for the tutors who would be running the sessions
Briefing on training skills to the tutors via the Area Tutor Organiser
Upload the learners' manual on to the WEA website for download by participants
Upload the tutor's manual to the website to be available to all tutors |
| The outcomes |
A training programme, delivering a consistent message, was made available across the whole country and which was successfully piloted in several areas
Public awareness of the issue of Men & Health was raised because of information on website
Skills development in training was provided for tutors |
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