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Blended Learning

BPI has created several training modes for students to learn critical thinking and project management thinking processes. The following article will explain these different modes or elements and provide four examples for incorporating them in a training plan. How might they be combined to enhance participant learning and the
post-class application of good thinking? These various elements allow you to improve your response to
common cultural and time constraint situations.

For example, one situation that may be addressed with a blended approach is geographically dispersed training populations. People who previously could not attend training due to inconvenience, travel time and expense can
now benefit from making use of an integrated online element.

There are four different instructional elements available from which to tailor a learning experience to enhance
mastery of important critical thinking concepts and methods.

1. Standard Classroom Instruction Element
All of BPI’s regular classroom sessions include:

  • Instructor presentations and large group discussions.
  • Detailed participant texts for reference.
  • Participant practice on case studies in teams with instructor coaching and feedback.
  • Individual skill building exercises with large group discussion.
  • Application of course methods to real job issues volunteered by participants with expert coaching.

2. Synchronous online (WBT) Element
“Virtual classroom” software may be used to involve participants together in online meetings. Instruction
and large group discussion is broken into 60-120 minute sessions. They can meet as one large group
or be divided into virtual work teams to collaborate on class assignments.

The most common interactions include:

  • Live or recorded Instructor presentations, and examples followed by discussions
  • Participants practice exercises in virtual teams with instructor coaching
  • Key point real-time quiz questions with feedback and discussion.

3. Asynchronous Online (WBT) Element
Programmed self-paced instructional modules are used to teach, test and remediate the basics of
each concept. Available for web-based access. Click the JOIN NOW button in the top right of this
website page to view the list of available WBT courses. Plus, these supplemental materials are
also available for participants.

  • Pocket application guide booklet
  • Electronic forms
  • Detailed texts
  • Completion certificate.

4. Electronic Forms Element
Individual BPI electronic workbooks are available for each thinking process. Each workbook includes
a detailed form with a complete coaching checklist.

Common uses include

  • Job aid to apply the course concepts to real issues
  • Creation of documents for reports
  • Submissions to a coach for expert feedback
  • Documentation of results.

Blended Learning Examples

Following are five examples that have been used in organizations. This will give you an idea of how you
might tailor delivery using combinations of these elements.

Standard Workshop with Post-Test WBT
Blend elements 1+3 ›› Standard Classroom + Asynchronous WBT

  • Participants attend a standard workshop with major emphasis on using the processes in teams, then
  • Complete the WBT modules to demonstrate their own individual mastery of key concepts and to improve understanding.

Internet Meetings with WBT Lessons
Blend elements 2+3 ›› Synchronous Web-based meeting + Asynchronous WBT lessons

  • Participants attend a series of live internet classroom sessions,
  • and work between sessions using select self-paced online modules.

WBT Pre-Work with Classroom Meeting
Blend elements 3+1 ›› Self-paced WBT + Classroom Instruction

  • Basic course concepts are taught using self-study online modules.
  • After this “pre-work” is completed, participants
    • attend a classroom meeting where they review the concepts,
    • have team practice and
    • apply the processes to real job issues with expert coaching.
  • The instructor provides
    • specific coaching tips,
    • leads discussions, and
    • facilitates concept-to-job transfer.

Standard Workshop w/ Electronic Coaching
Blend elements 1+4 ›› Standard Classroom + Electronic Forms

  • Participants attend a standard workshop with major emphasis on using the processes in teams during the workshop.
  • After the workshop participants are responsible for analyzing a number of their current issues (problems, decisions or plans) using their electronic forms.  They submit these to a coach for feedback on what to add or change to gain approval – if any.
  • Both participants and coach make use of a checklist to evaluate process use.

Self-paced Pre-Work w/ Classroom Meeting & Electronic Forms Coaching
Blend elements 3+1+4 ›› Self-paced WBT + Standard Classroom + Electronic Forms

  • Basic course concepts are taught using self-study WBT modules.
  • Participants then attend an abridged workshop, practicing in teams using case studies and real
    job issues.
  • After completion of the workshop each participant is required to gain approval for a number of
    job applications using electronic forms submitted to an expert coach.
  • All results are documented in an archive accessible by others, creating a valuable
    knowledge-management resource.

Conclusion

Does your organization have unique training needs that might benefit from creating a tailored solution
using any of these various delivery elements? Please Contact us to discuss the possibilities. For
information about our program content, read about our Workshops.