Blended Learning and Training

Frequently Answered Questions

This page contains  frequently asked/answered questions relating to blended learning and training

Comments are most welcome.

What Is Blended Learning - Frequently Answered Questionsa

1. What is Blended Learning?

Blended learning is an approach to learning that utilises different learning delivery mechanisms to achieve a total learning solution. Instead of simply classroom stand-up instructor led training, you could add in multi-media, book readings, out of class exercises - basically anything that can help the learner to better assimilate the knowledge and skills being taught. Blended learning needs to be focused on a specific problem set and targeted towards a specific audience, e.g. to teach basic Windows XP administration skills to a 1st line Service Desk team. Blended leaning is also known as blended training - and both terms will be used here!

Learning delivery mechanisms you can use in blended learning include:

• Traditional classroom training
• Virtual class rooms
• On-line coaching and mentoring
• Computer based Training (typically based on the use of CD-ROMs)
• Web based training
• Study guides and work books
• On-Line labs
• Practice tests
• On line resources
• Communities
• Guest Appearances
• Show-and-Tell

Each of these delivery mechanisms can have a use within the context of delivering a blended learning solution. And just because there's a delivery mechanism on this list does not mean you have to use it. Chose wisely.

2. What's the difference between blended learning and e-learning

These two terms are often confused. E-learning is a form of on-line learning, typically delivered via a CD or a intranet/Internet website. E-learning is one way of delivering content and is also referred to as e-content. Blended learning can include e-learning, but e-learning is not blended learning by itself. The key point is that blended learning is a lot more than just e-learning and e-learning is a component of blended learning.

3. How do I create blended learning?

Carefully. You have to clearly define your objectives and your audience. You have to select the content and delivery mechanisms (and of course test it out before full scale deployment!). Then you have to deliver and manage the content.

There's quite a lot of detail in the answer to this question. See the Creating a Blended Learning Solution page for more details.

4. What tools do I need create blended learning

It depends on what set of delivery components you will be using. Since each blended learning solution can incorporate many different delivery components, you will need to find the tools sets to support each delivery component.

At the heart of a blended learning solution is a a learning management system (LMS). Two such systems are  Aspen or Docent.  For an interesting look at LMS's, see LMS 2001 by Brandon Hall. An LMS is a non-trivial system and would need to be chosen with care. For some tips on selecting an LMS, see a overview, based on some great work by Tom Barron.

There are additional tools to facilitate other delivery formats that you probably need to purchase. These include Books 24x7, Measure Up Testing, etc. You can also roll your own content using tools such such as using PowerPoint, Flash or even Movie Maker to create your own presentations that can be used in a blended learning solution.

One set of standards you may wish to look at, with respect to blended learning material, is SCORM (Shared Content Object Reference Model). SCORM is a set of specifications for developing, packaging and delivering blended learning  when and where needed. For more information on SCORM, see Dr Ed's SCORM Course from JCA. And for more on SCORM, se ADL's SCORM Resouce Center.

5. What MS courses are available in e-learning format?

Microsoft Training and Certification e-Learning Library (MCT version available from the download centre)

• 2154B Implementing and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services
• 2153B Implementing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure
• 2152C Implementing Microsoft Windows2000 Professional and Server
• 2151B Microsoft® Windows 2000 Network and Operating System Essentials
• 1560B Updating Support Skills from Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 to Microsoft Windows 2000
• 1562B Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Services Infrastructure
• 2150A Designing a Secure Microsoft Windows 2000 Network
• 2072A Administering a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database
• 2010A Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Migration Strategy
• 2159A Deploying and Managing Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2000
• 1561B Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure
• 1572C Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange 2000
• 1905B Building XML-Based Web Applications
• 2073A Programming a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database
• 2272B Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows XP Professional

E&OE!!!

Microsoft have begun selling these courses to the public. Visit the E-Learning Page at https://www.microsoftelearning.com/ for information about the courses. At present these are for sale in the US only, but their sale will go internationally at some point in the future. The courses on offer are:

• 2208: Updating Support Skills from Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 to Microsoft Windows Server 2003
• 2274: Managing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
• 2275: Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
• 2276: Implementing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Hosts
• 2277: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Services
• 2278: Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
• 2279: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
• 2282: Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
• 2285: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• 2830: Designing Security for Microsoft Networks

Before buying the courses, you should be clear on just what you are buying. The site does not, currently, make it very clear as to just what is on offer, how it works, and how the student utilises the purchase. You should also check whether you can use the on-line lab facility, as there are some potentially significant restrictions. The Microsoft e-learning site states: "If you log on to the Internet from behind a proxy server, you may not be able to access a virtual lab" and "Users who are behind a corporate proxy server should access virtual lab technology through a commercial ISP account. Please note that you connect to the virtual lab hosting platform via the VNS protocol. As a result, you must connect through ports 5800-5821 and 5900-5921. Please contact your system administrator to enable these ports for your workstation if necessary." This might be a significant restriction in some commercial environments. Home users behind a NAT-based broadband modem/router might also be affected. Caveat Emptor.

6. What is this E-learning trainer course thingy ?

You mean the Facilitating Skills for eTrainer Workshop Jean Barbazette (President of The Training Clinic) conducts this online workshop designed specifically for Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs) who will facilitate online training in both asynchronous and synchronous environments. This workshop is divided into seven units that you can complete at your own pace. Each unit includes a handout that you will need to download, in addition to documents of supporting resources. When you view any of the modules, you can click on the Related Resources heading to reveal links to the necessary downloads. You can also download a transcript and PPTs for off line use.

To earn 5 instructional continuing education credits you must complete the Facilitation Skills for e-Trainers workshop, then take a multiple choice/essay test. Upon successful completion of the post-course test and payment of a US$ 75.00 fee you will receive an e-mail with an e-certificate for 5 CEC’s (PDF) and a "paid" e-receipt (PDF). For details on the e-Trainer Certificate Program, see the Training Clinic's website at: http://www.thetrainingclinic.com/ecert/certview.htm.

Total time to complete this seminar should be less than 8 hours. It's probably worth reading through the material even if you do not take the exam.

7. What is Customised Course?

A customised course is a selected set of modules from one or more standard MS Learning products. A customised course can use just modules from a single learning product, or combine modules from multiple products. Customised courseware provides a potentially better way of meeting specific customer needs.

At one time, there was a program whereby an authorised CTEC could actually modify the material. This was abandoned after irregularities were uncovered. Today, if you want to customise, you obtain individual modules from your courseware provider.

8. What are the rules for customised MOC?

You can customise away to your heart's content. At least that is the theory. The real problem lies in integrating modules from different courses into a single workable course. The labs represent a key challenge. Despite the excellent work of MS Learning, taking a module from say a Windows 2000 course, a module from a Windows XP course, and a module from an SQL course will not make a great course. There is no real flow, and the labs will be difficult to co-ordinate. The use of VMs in classes will make the lab issue easier, but you still need to build and test them!

9. Where can I get customised MOC?

You buy it from your courseware source. You buy the courses/modules you need, and then go to it - although as noted above, the labs are likely to be an issue!

10.What customised courses have MCT's done?

Ahh - now that would be telling!

11. Are there any customised courses that I can reuse?

Not that I know of. Yet.

12. Can I mix custom MOC with e-learning ?

Sure! You can mix pretty much anything with anything. One issue here, however, is whether a 'heavily' customised course is still MOC. Although if you are doing a customised class, the customer is far generally more interested in the solution, than whether the solution is still "MOC".

13. How many CECs do I get for attending a blended course ?

See the MCT program guidelines.

14. How many CECs do I get for attending custom course?

See the MCT program guidelines.

15. How many CECs do I get for attending an e-learning course?

See the MCT program guidelines.

16. Where can I find e-learning tools ?

Google is your friend - start here.

17. How do I find blended learning customers?

Every customer is a blended learning customer. And every learning solution can be a blended solution.

18. How much does an Microsoft e-learning course cost me, or the student.

Talk to your courseware provider.

19. How much does customised MOC cost?

Talk to your courseware provider.

20. What is the actual benefit of blended courses?

There are two main benefit areas:

• cost savings - a blended course can be less expensive in simple cost terms since some learning is expected to be done solely by the learner with no input from an instructor/coach/mentor. Additionally, there is the elimination of some travel and subsistence. Another advantage for some clients is the need not to release staff for so long. Allowing staff a few hours a week study time meant that the staff could work at least part of the day at their day job.
• quality of learning - by taking the learning in small chunks, supplemented by additional learning inputs (books, tests, HOLs), the learning can be richer and better tuned to the individual learner. 

But doing it well is not easy! Getting management attentin,  providing the right level of motivation and stimulation, combined with the need to practice what was being learned make this something to design carefully.

Blended Learning Links

None yet.

Acknowledgements

The majority of the work in pulling this page together was done by Thomas Lee. Folks who have helped to put this page together include: Justin Narracott. One is hopeful for more contributions.