Blended Learning

A Recipe for Rapid & Robust Training

Paul Schneider, PhD – GeoLearning

Sarah Kaiser – Cabela’s
 Blended Learning the Future?
“I think that, in the future, blended learning
will become the de facto mode of training
delivery. The reason is simple; face-to-face
training is great for some content types
while online training is great for different
types. Together, they provide a complete
training solution.”
– Respondent, 2007 Brandon Hall Research
blended learning study
 What is Blended Learning
• Combing Instructional Modalities/Delivery
• Combing Instructional Methods
• Combing Online and Face-to-Face
Instruction
• First two fit virtually all learning
• Last fits more traditional view
 Poll #1: Multiple Choice
Have you developed and used blended
learning programs?
Yes
No
Not sure
 Poll #2 (Multiple Select)
What types of learning have you used in your
blended learning program?
Self-paced e-learning courses
Traditional instructor-led learning
Webcast
On-the-job training
Free form in assignments (i.e. essay)
Structured assignments
Other
 Poll #3: Multiple Select
What do you feel were some of the benefits or
reasons for developing a blended learning
program?
Faster
Cheaper
More effective
More efficient
Development skills matched available methods
Other
Learning Type, Method, & Location
• Synchronous – collaborative – in person
– ILT, Labs, onsite visits, coaching
• Synchronous – collaborative – via distance
– Online meetings, virtual classrooms, virtual labs, web
seminars, coaching, instant messaging, conference calls
• Asynchronous – self paced – via distance
– Documents, WBT, Assessments, Job Aids (EPSS),
recorded live events, podcasts
• Asynchronous –collaborative – via distance
– Discussion rooms, wikis, blogs, email distribution lists
Effective Blended Learning Programs
• Formal
– Clear path and overarching schedule for the
learner
– Organized collaborating and sharing of
experiences
– Organize the learning and provide guidance
 Effective Blended Learning Programs
• Coach or Instructor?
– Mentoring
– Group coaching
– Asynchronous
• Private discussion rooms
– Synchronous
• Webcast events
Guidance through the learning program
Effective Blended Learning Programs
• Self-paced work
– Video clips
– Web events
– Pod casts
– Documents
– Forms
– E-learning courses

Meet individual schedules and speed

 Effective Blended Learning Programs
• Shared experiences
– Discussions
• Structured
• Clear strategies to promote
positive interaction
• Doing
– On the job activities
– Apply the learning
• Informal
– Continuous learning
– Next step is knowledge share & communities of
practice
 Overcoming Limits
• Fixed time and location NO
• Fixed type and costs NO
• Fixed methodology NO
• Motivation can be a key issue/limit
– Blended Learning helps through
• social collaboration
• social responsibility/pressure
• high touch = high impact
 Rapid & Robust?
• Effectiveness
– Methodology x Level of Competency = Time x Money
– Combination of methodologies to reach different compentencies
• Robust
– Complete and all encompassing e.g., full bodied simulation
– Simulate or use real life?
• Rapid
– On the job
– Mentoring

Appropriate matches will increase efficiency and effectiveness

 Levels of Competency
Awareness Skillfulness Proficiency

Slide courtesy of Q2Learning:

Copyright 2006
 Levels of Competency
Awareness Skillfulness Proficiency

The ability to define terms, explain concepts, and list the

steps of procedures and processes.

Slide courtesy of Q2Learning:

Copyright 2006
 Levels of Competency
Awareness Skillfulness Proficiency

The ability to apply defined processes and procedures in

standard situations.

Slide courtesy of Q2Learning:

Copyright 2006
 Levels of Competency
Awareness Skillfulness Proficiency

Understanding of underlying principles enabling adaptation

in novel situations and development of new processes and
procedures.

Slide courtesy of Q2Learning:

Copyright 2006
 Five key learning practices
Awareness Skillfulness Proficiency

Instruction Application

Discover Question Reflect Practice Perform

Slide courtesy of Q2Learning:

Copyright 2006
 Five key learning practices
Awareness Skillfulness Proficiency

Instruction Application

Discover Question Reflect Practice Perform

Understand the need for learning; be motivated to learn.

Become familiar with key concepts, vocabulary, and

procedures.

Slide courtesy of Q2Learning:

Copyright 2006
 Five key learning practices
Awareness Skillfulness Proficiency

Instruction Application

Discover Question Reflect Practice Perform

Understand how concepts and procedures apply in their

unique situation.

Slide courtesy of Q2Learning:

Copyright 2006
 Five key learning practices
Awareness Skillfulness Proficiency

Instruction Application

Discover Question Reflect Practice Perform

Actively process concepts to assimilate them into their

current cognitive structure.

Slide courtesy of Q2Learning:

Copyright 2006
 Five key learning practices
Awareness Skillfulness Proficiency

Instruction Application

Discover Question Reflect Practice Perform

Try out new skills in controlled situations where mistakes

can be freely made and learned from.

Slide courtesy of Q2Learning:

Copyright 2006
 Five key learning practices
Awareness Skillfulness Proficiency

Instruction Application

Discover Question Reflect Practice Perform

Apply new knowledge and skills on the job, receive

feedback, and learn from experience.

Slide courtesy of Q2Learning:

Copyright 2006
 What to Look for in Blended
Learning Tools
• Robust Toolkit
Solid
Solidcommunity
communityfeatures
features
– Any electronic content (people
(people&&place)
place)
– Traditional e-learning
Rich
Richcollaboration
collaborationfunctionality
functionality
– Synchronous communication (discussions,
(discussions, blogs,wikis,
blogs, wikis,email)
email)
– Facilitated discussion
Robust
Robustcontent
contentfunctions
functions
– Learning program (RL,
(RL,Search,
Search,RSS)
RSS)
• Seamless Presentation Administration
Administration
(Role-based,
(Role-based,reports,
reports,admin
admintoolkit)
– Match the corporation toolkit)

– Easy to use
Slide courtesy of Q2Learning:
Copyright 2006
 What to Look for in BL Tools:
Continued
• Track Activity
– Multiple methods
• Track Coaches
– Dashboards
– Contact utilities
– Coach monitoring
• Program Management
• Informal Learning
• Enterprise Platform
Slide courtesy of Q2Learning:
Copyright 2006
 Bridging the Gap: Formal to
Informal Learning
• Learning is a continuous process
• Basis for
– Knowledge sharing
– Communities of Practice
• The Link
– Blended Learning = Collaborative
– Blogs, Wikis, Tagging, Share resources,
extending the process
Cabela’s University

Sarah Kaiser
Sr. Human Resources Manager
 Poll #4: Multiple Choice
Does your organization partner with any
traditional colleges or universities for the
delivery of a program or programs?

Yes
Considering it
No
 The World’s Foremost Outfitter of
hunting, fishing and outdoor gear.

• History
– Multi-channel retailer: Direct, Retail & Financial Services
– 2 Billion in total revenue in 2006
– 13,000 employees
– 32 locations (20 retail stores)
• 6 additional retail locations by 2008
– Public company June, 2004
– Corporate Office located in rural Nebraska
 Cabela’s University
• 2004 - Started partnership with Western Nebraska
Community College (WNCC)
• Developed Cabela’s Customized Associates Degree
– Custom Cabela’s Content
– Cabela’s subject matter experts
– Cabela’s processes and procedures
– Blended learning approach that uses all five key learning
techniques : Discover, Question, Reflect, Practice and
Perform
Why GeoEngage
Current WNCC platform did not meet our needs
• GeoEngage
– SCORM compliance
– ASP model
– Interactive
– Customized Look and Feel
– Internet Based for students/instructors/ administrators –
When you travel it is always accessible
– Support to our employees
 Rapid Deployment Timeline
Development

Nov. Dec. Feb. Aug. Jan.

2006 2006 2007 2007 2008

Selected Systems 3 courses 9 courses 12 courses

GeoEngage Training Online Online Online

Deployment

In less that 1 year, Cabela’s will have launched a new training platform and offered 12
different online courses toward the Cabela’s University Associates Degree.
 Who does what?
• User Roles:
– System Administrator (WNCC)
– Support Administrator & Content
Administrator (Cabela’s)
– Curriculum Designer (WNCC & Cabela’s)
– Instructors (WNCC)
 Program Description
• 3 professional skill awards (4 courses in each skill award)
– Human Resources
– Supervision
– Leadership
• 8 week online format
• Classes will cost $222 for in-state residents and $258 for out-of-state
residents.
• Courses covered by Tuition Reimbursement Policy
Start dates: Supervision Leadership Human Resource Skill
Skill Award Skill Award Award
August 20, 2007 Teambuilding Leadership Employee Relations
January 7, 2008 Personal/Professional Skills Diversity & Change Human Resources
Management Management
March 10, 2008 Legal Issues Budget & Finance Recruiting & Hiring
May 12, 2008 Supervisory Management Project Management Safety
 Webcasts & Webinars
Who Attends:
• Students
• Instructors
• Subject Matter Experts
(SMEs) from Cabela’s
• WNCC Tech Support
Purpose:
• Allow students to ask
SME’s questions
regarding course
material.

Content – Blended Approach

Cabela’s Specific Items

The bottom line

impact - students
were better informed
about Cabela's and
greater pride being
part of the Cabela's
family.
-Dennis Nitschke
Budget and Finance
Instructor
 Discussion Boards
* Instructor to Student Interaction * Student to Student Interaction
 Other Blended
Learning tools used:
• Webinars
• Audio Clips
• Interactive quizzes
• Scavenger Hunts
Each course has a short introductory video from the instructor.
Result:
• Web Searches
•Connection
•Engagement
•Classroom environment - online
 Future Programs
• Cabela’s New Leader Program - 40 hour program
– Supervisors newly hired to Cabela’s or employees promoted to a supervisory role
– Completion within the first 6 months of employment will be required
– Curriculum will come directly from our Cabela’s University Courses

• Merchandising – 80 hour program

– overview of the various systems used by the merchandising area
– Employees will learn:
• pricing steps,
• costing methodology,
• multi-channel merchandising,
• line reviews,
• plan-o-gramming,
• merchandising a store,
• vendor negotiations,
• inventory control,
• ICA responsibilities, and forecasting.
– Custom curriculum is being developed. The five learning styles will be applied.
 The only sustainable advantage is
the ability to learn faster than your
competition.
 Free Resources from GeoLearning
Today’s PPT Slides
www.geolearning.com/sept5
E-Learning Strategy Blueprint
www.geolearning.com/bp
Training for Results: A Blended Learning Approach
www.geolearning.com/training
Creating an eCommunity
www.geolearning.com/create
Facilitating eCommunities
www.geolearning.com/facilitate
Q&A Session
 References
References
• “The Real Story: Blended Learning,” Cleary, Janet (2007). http://www.brandon-
hall.com/publications/blendedlearning/blendedlearning.shtml
• Dr. Bruck, Q2Learning: http://q2learning.com/
• Bersin & Associates, 2003; Orey, 2002a, 2002b; Singh & Reed, 2001; Thomson, 2002
• Driscoll, 2002; House, 2002; Rossett, 2002
• Reay, 2001; Rooney, 2003; Sands, 2002; Ward & LaBranche, 2003; Young, 2002
• Bonk, C. J. & Graham, C. R. (Eds.).. Handbook of blended learning: Global
Perspectives, local designs. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer Publishing