eLearning 101: What Is Blended Learning?

At Illumina Interactive, we’ve seen firsthand how training and education have evolved, especially with the rise of technology in learning environments. One of the most effective approaches we’ve implemented for clients is blended learning. But what exactly is blended learning, and why has it become a go-to strategy for organizations and educational institutions worldwide?

Understanding Blended Learning

Blended learning is an educational approach that combines traditional face-to-face classroom methods—in-person and virtual—with online self-paced digital learning. It’s the best of both worlds—allowing learners to benefit from the flexibility and accessibility of online resources while still maintaining the valuable personal interaction that occurs in a classroom setting.

There isn’t just one way to implement blended learning. Depending on the needs of the learners and the goals of the program, blended learning can take on several different forms:

Face-to-Face Driver

In this model, the majority of the learning takes place in a traditional or virtual classroom setting, with the teacher providing the primary instruction. Online resources are used to supplement this learning, offering additional exercises, tutorials, or readings that students can access outside of “class”. These resources can be made available before, during or after the face-to-face instructional components.

Online Driver

This approach flips the traditional model. The primary instruction is delivered online – using a self-paced learning path, with face-to-face/virtual sessions used to reinforce learning, provide hands-on practice, or address specific challenges. This is particularly useful for learners who need flexibility due to their schedules or location.

Rotation Model

Learners rotate between different learning modalities, typically including in-person instruction, online learning, and collaborative group work. This model is highly adaptable and can be customized to fit various learning environments and objectives.

Flex Model

In the flex model, online learning is the backbone of the curriculum, and instructors provide on-site support as needed. This model is particularly effective in self-paced learning environments where students have varying levels of knowledge or different learning speeds.

The Benefits of Blended Learning

Blended learning isn’t just a trend—it’s a proven method that offers numerous benefits, both for learners and educators. Here’s why we believe it’s such an effective approach:

Increased Flexibility

One of the most significant advantages of blended learning is the flexibility it offers. Learners can access online materials at their own pace, at a time that suits them best. This flexibility is especially beneficial for adult learners who may be balancing work, family, and education.

Personalized Learning Experience

Blended learning allows for a more personalized approach. With the integration of online resources, learners can focus on areas where they need more practice or skip over content they’ve already mastered. Instructors can also use data from online activities to tailor their face-to-face instruction, making it more relevant and targeted.

Enhanced Engagement

By combining different learning methods, blended learning can help keep students more engaged. The variety of activities—from online quizzes to in-person discussions—ensures that learning remains dynamic and interactive.

Cost-Effective

Blended learning can be more cost-effective than traditional classroom learning alone. Online resources can reduce the need for physical materials and can reach a broader audience without the need for additional space or travel expenses.

Improved Learning Outcomes

Studies have shown that blended learning often leads to better learning outcomes. The combination of online and face-to-face instruction can provide a more comprehensive learning experience, helping students to understand and retain information more effectively.

Examples of Successful Blended Learning Implementations

We’ve had the privilege of working on numerous blended learning projects at Illumina Interactive, and we’ve seen how impactful this approach can be. 

Here are a few examples of ways that blended learning can make a real impact:

Corporate Training Programs: We’ve worked with many organizations to successfully implement blended learning for employee training. For example, with a pharmaceutical company launching a major new product, we created self-paced home-study materials for their medical field liaisons prior to the major in-person sales launch meeting, and then augmented the experience with post-launch meeting resources. Or a major corporation in the food service industry that we used self-paced microlearning materials we developed—along with user guides and quick reference guides—to supplement more in-depth training their experts delivered as virtual webinars.

Higher Education: Universities often use blended learning to offer courses that combine online lectures with in-person seminars or labs. For example, for a major academic institution in New England, we developed a complex multimedia case scenario that is designed to complement a teaching curriculum and provides information to instructors about student engagement that they can bring back to the classroom for more in-depth discussion and breakout sessions.

K-12 Education: While we typically don’t focus on development for K-12 settings, blended learning can be used to differentiate instruction and meet the diverse needs and levels of students. For example, students might complete online math exercises tailored to their skill level, then come together in the classroom to solve problems collaboratively.

If you’re considering implementing blended learning in your organization or educational institution, you don’t have to navigate the process alone. At Illumina Interactive, we specialize in creating customized eLearning solutions that integrate seamlessly with traditional teaching methods. We encourage you to reach out to us today to discuss how we can help you design a blended learning program that meets your specific needs. Let’s work together to create an engaging, effective, and flexible learning experience for your learners. Contact Illumina Interactive now to get started on your blended learning journey.