The seismic shift in work culture, brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led more companies to embrace remote and hybrid operations. As of 2023, 83% of employees preferred a hybrid work model, while 63% of “high-growth companies” had already adopted a “productivity anywhere” workforce model.
In addition, technology is transforming job roles, making continued employee upskilling and reskilling a business imperative. Training efforts now need to adapt to accommodate the hybrid work model to deliver relevant, timely programs. In the age of remote and hybrid work, traditional training modalities incur logistic, cost and space inefficiencies. The future of training delivery, therefore, lies in blended learning.
How LMSs Are Transforming Corporate Training Through Blended Learning
The essence of blended learning lies in its flexibility. It relies on digital learning platforms to facilitate convenient access to learning resources for employees. Simultaneously, it makes room for in-person, interaction-based and collaborative approaches to enable deeper learner engagement and opportunities for skills application.
Cloud-based learning management systems (LMSs) facilitate access to a central repository of training resources, anytime, anywhere. But that is not enough. Learners also need to know what materials to access and how to achieve their learning goals quickly. The right training at the right time can impact the achievement of business outcomes. This is where the real power of an LMS lies.
Assess individual, team and organizational learning goals.
Modern LMSs, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning-based predictive analytics, provide insights into employee skill status and potential future job requirements. Such insights help define clear learning objectives and timelines. Alignment of training programs with such objectives and timelines bolsters the return on investment (ROI) of learning and development (L&D) efforts, while driving business success.
Curate adaptive learning paths for a personalized learner experience.
LMSs that utilize blended learning can define tailored learning paths for individual employees by combining learning goals and skills gaps with learning behaviors and pedagogy. Customizability empowers L&D departments to define the ratio of self-driven to instructor-led or group-based learning activities.
Evaluate learning outcomes and LMS efficacy.
Data-driven LMSs continuously monitor trainee progress. Analytics enable L&D teams to identify knowledge and skills gaps, as well as the efficacy of training modules. Further, business outcome-based assessments allow stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding which blended learning investments will help advance business outcomes the most.
Facilitate multi-format learning and assessments
Gamified and bite-sized training delivery clearly boosts learner engagement and improves learning outcome achievement. Analytics-powered LMSs can identify unique support requirements from learner data and skills assessments. They facilitate content delivery via microlearning and nanolearning modules in the form of games, simulations and group activities. Generative AI-enabled LMSs can dynamically gamify training content and assessments for skills evaluation, saving effort and costs for businesses.
Blended learning promotes social learning.
Social learning fosters a culture of collaboration and empathy among employees, which is the bedrock of an inclusive workplace. Team members get to learn from each other’s experiences and expertise. Peer-to-peer knowledge exchange facilitates optimal use of skills during team operations to improve performance. For new recruits, it reduces onboarding time. The social learning delivered also improves organizational communication.
LMSs that support blended learning can leverage team- and organization-wide data to identify instructor-led training that can be delivered via physical or virtual classrooms and group activities that can be simulated with generative AI-based models. LMSs with messaging facilities and discussion boards provide a social learning environment for remote employees. Additionally, learner and trainer schedule management can be automated, minimizing manual effort and eliminating errors.
A Culture of Blended, Lifelong Learning
Creating a future-ready workforce requires a culture of lifelong learning. This is essential for businesses to stay ahead of the competition in the ever evolving and increasingly digitized corporate landscape. Blended learning is highly effective in fostering such a culture. It gives learners the autonomy to choose the mode and time of learning, while creating more learning opportunities with the help of multi-format content and training delivery.
Cloud-based, blended learning-enabled LMSs can be instrumental in driving growth-oriented workplaces. Mobile device compatibility, assistive technologies, and blended learning approaches can streamline training design and goal achievement using predictive and generative analytics. Blended learning instills flexibility and agility in skills development, which is necessary for organizations to remain relevant — and to satisfy their learning-hungry, tech-savvy workforces.
