Cets 2013 carr making blended learning more effective

Making Blended Learning More Effective

Carrie CarrMark McDowellAugust 20, 2013

Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 2

• Why blended learning?

• How to increase the success of blended learning

• Blended learning success stories using a blended learning portal

• What blended learning portal users are saying

• What’s next?

Agenda

Why Blended Learning?


What is Blended Learning?

A Blended Learning Solution…

• Weaves together a series of modules/learning experiences that employ different delivery channels over a defined period of time

• Combines the best content from any source, to achieve learning outcomes

• Integrates the learning experience, including content, communications, and technology


Refocusing formal and informal learning leads to a high business impact

Blended Learning Brings Formal and Informal Learning Strategies Together

• Analyze work process• Identify typical situations when learning needs arise• Determine appropriate supporting material• Integrate supporting material in work process / workplace and make it accessible in an easy way• Deliver Instructor led training events whenever key concepts and foundations have to be delivered


• Cost savings, particularly through delivery costs

• Reusability of learning components

• Provides motivation and interaction around self-studies to increase completion rates

• Improved learner engagement/learning effectiveness

• Increased flexibility for both students and faculty

Value of Blended Learning

How to Increase the Success of Blended Learning…


• A blended learning portal (BLP) provides one place to find all components of a blended learning program

• For Accenture, we’ve created 40 unique courses using a Blended Learning Portal and achieve a estimated cost savings of approximately $4M

…Use a Blended Learning Portal


• A streamlined format for virtual instructor-led courses that creates one point of entry for self-study materials, discussions, and virtual sessions

• Customizable for various course types:

– Build online guides for classroom courses

– Build simple web-based self-study courses

• Multiple interaction types for participants and faculty

• Full course access or enforced learning paths

• Easy tracking and reporting

• Intuitive interface for developers

• Can be integrated with an existing learning management system

Benefits of a Blended Learning Portal


Blended Self-study (Self Study Primary) Courses with a blend of self-study assets

How We’ve Used the Blended Learning Portal

• Provide context: Provide participants with task list and context as to why they are completing each asset.

• Tailor to a target audience: If various target audiences are taking the course, easily direct participants to the course asset most applicable to them.

• Promote social learning: Encourage participants to connect with other participants taking the training via discussions or other collaboration approaches

• Post course: Post reference materials and promote discussions on how to apply the content


Blended Virtual Classroom (vILT Primary) Courses with one or more virtual sessions, typically blended with self-study work and collaboration

How We’ve Used the Blended Learning Portal

• Before the course: access all pre-course work in the blended learning portal. Promote initial networking and discussion. Access team assignments and course material. Track completion and send reminders

• During the virtual session: access presentations, activity instructions, and other support materials

• Between virtual sessions: access reference materials, post team assignments, and faculty can “grade” team assignments

• Post course: Encourage follow up discussion on the course content (transfer of learning) and provide access to other assignments post course

Success Stories Using a Blended Learning Portal:• Blended Self Study Program• Virtual Blended Program

Blended Self Study Program


• Business situation:– New consultants within a business domain in our consulting

practice– Level-set on common skills required within the business – Throughput of 500+ people per year globally– Reduce increase completion rate to better prepare for upcoming

core training

• Program: 8 hours self study content

• Results: Increased completion rates from 32% to 78%

Example: Blended Self Study

Virtual Blended Program


• Business situation:– Improve the business knowledge of HR professionals so they could

better meet the needs of internal stakeholders– Course originally designed for ILT– Throughput of 400 per year globally– Limited number of expert faculty– Reduce delivery costs, increase prerequisite completion and

maintain integrity of the program

• Program: 32 hours

• Results: Reduced delivery costs by 90%, increased prerequisite completion by 60% and achieved same results as ILT

Example: Blended Virtual Classroom

Blended Self Study Program (another example)


• Business situation:– Improve the skills of top level executives in our consulting practice in

these areas: relationship development, conversations, network building and selling

– Fit into the schedules of busy executives– Faculty includes globally renowned experts and other top executives

as coaches

• Program: 40 hours – Series of lessons (bite-size learning nuggets), combined with small

practice groups and individualized coaching– Six to eight month commitment required to review content and to test

new behaviors

• Results: High satisfaction scores (some activities 5/5); high level of involvement

Another Example: Blended Self Study

Virtual Blended Program (another example)


• Business situation:– Provide new analysts with foundational professional skills; ensuring they are ‘client

ready’

– Maintain instructional integrity (as in ILT)

– Throughput of 2000 per year globally

– Limited number of expert faculty

– Reduce delivery costs

• Program: 40 hours

• Results: Reduced delivery costs by 70%, good satisfaction score (4.3/5), over 4000 participants attended

• Representative participant feedback:“Fantastic course that touched on important concepts such as communication, cultural awareness, owning your career, and engaging with the client. I thought the course was excellently run and particularly enjoyed the interactive nature of it. Working with analysts from all across the country really was exciting and taught us the value of teamwork. Especially working in virtual teams which is something that we will do throughout our career. Overall, I enjoyed the course a lot and learned many valuable tools that I can use in my work.”

Another Example: Blended Virtual Classroom

Participant Feedback


Here are some of the comments from participants from previous courses:

What Are Users Saying?

• “Very convenient.”• “The site was easy to navigate and was a great way to access and submit

information in one location.”• “It was easy to organize my time with the self studies; liked the versatility

of media (videos, texts, downloadable material, simulations).”• “Very simple—clean interface and fast.”• “[I like] that it's a portal where you can find your full activity for a day—kind

of like a full Outlook calendar with tasks. [It’s] nice that you can work off a list.”

Next Steps


• Design for better access via tablets or mobile

• Create an app for easy access on mobile devices

Blended Learning Portal – What’s Next?


• For additional information, contact:– Carrie Carr ([email protected])– Mark McDowell ([email protected])

Additional Information

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


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Cets 2013 carr making blended learning more effective