How to overcome the limits of classroom training

Noticing more and more empty seats in your classrooms? You're not alone. Many training providers who've been around for a while and offer primarily classroom training deal with this at some point. So what could be the culprit? And how do you find out?

As we always like to say: better training starts with a focus on your learners. Start by listening to them and your customers. What do they need? What would help them learn? Does the way you train still meet their needs?

Belgian training provider Amelior faced the same challenge. Their customers wanted more flexible training that respected their employees’ time, while the younger generation preferred learning online and at their own pace. It became clear that classroom-only training just wasn’t enough anymore. So, it was time for a change. They transitioned from traditional classroom training to a blended learning approach.

We spoke with Karin Bastiaannet, Category Manager Quality at Amelior and Karen Philips, Consultant Learning & Development at Arboth during a live Q&A.

Amelior started with the question: “How can we use the latest learning technologies to build a learning experience that resonates with today’s learners? That inspires our learners and drives lasting change in their behaviour?”

Recognising that different learners have different needs, they realised it made sense to go for something interactive and self-paced. This approach would also respect the busy schedules of their learners. The solution? Combining the best of both worlds, by creating a blended training.

This was easier said than done though. They never did anything like this before, going blended was completely new to them. So, where do you start? What do you need?

The Amelior team realised that they needed expert help to turn their classroom training into just the right mix of online and offline activities. They got in touch with the Belgian blended and e-learning consultancy Arboth for advice on how to transform their courses.

A blended approach has many advantages over a classroom-only setup, here's a couple of them Amelior has experienced since taking the leap:

• More flexibility through time- and place-independent learning

• Promoting autonomy and self-directed learning (allowing learners to learn at their own pace and at different levels)

• Greater satisfaction among teachers and learners

• More room for interaction between teachers and learners, and among learners themselves during classroom training

• Better insight in individual learner progress

• Better learning outcomes (as scientifically proven)

Challenges

Transforming a classroom training into a powerful blended learning journey is not a walk in the park. It's not just about picking up new technologies and diving right in – it takes time, effort, and lots of perseverance.

Getting the SMEs on board

One of the big challenges is convincing Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), especially those with years of experience, to transition from traditional classroom-only training to a blended format. For Amelior, this was a major hurdle. Experienced teachers weren't always eager to make the switch because it meant not just a change in format but also a significant shift in the content itself. Naturally, there was some resistance; it's a big deal to transfer your knowledge and experience into a system.

Amelior found success by involving SMEs from the very beginning and as much as possible. Together with them, they took a close look at the training and the content to determine what could be better served online. It really showed them the benefits of going blended and that it's an opportunity to increase their value.

Staying organised

Taking just one classroom training blended is a huge project already. Taking a very structured approach really made a difference for Amelior. Start by figuring out your main goals. What's the big picture? Once you know that, create a detailed plan. Having a blueprint or framework to follow can be a game-changer. For instance, Amelior leveraged Arboth's ‘aXles model’ to guide them through the process step-by-step.

Knowing how to do it

Like we said, creating learning journeys that really improve the learning outcomes is not easy, especially if you lack the expertise and if you've never done anything like it before. Sometimes you just need a little extra help. Amelior realised that too and partnered up with Arboth. So, don't be afraid to reach out.

See Amelior's learning journey in action

Sometimes it helps to just see the end result, so you get an idea of what a blended learning journey could look like for your learners. Karin Bastiaannet showed us a great example of what Amelior's blended training looks like, during the Better Training Today Live webinar. With this learning journey they won the aNewSpring Training Improvement Award in 2023.

Embrace blended learning for more effective learning

In conclusion, if you’re noticing empty seats in your classrooms, it may be time to explore a blended learning approach. Amelior’s successful transition from traditional training to a blended format highlights how combining online and offline elements can refresh your training program and better address your learners' needs. Utilising a structured framework, like Arboth’s aXles model, can provide clear guidance on how to integrate new technologies and content effectively. Don’t hesitate to seek expert assistance to facilitate this transition (like Amelior did with Arboth). You don't have to fly solo; use your co-pilot.

By listening to your learners & customers, leveraging proven frameworks, and continuously refining your approach, you can create a engaging and adaptable training products that meet today’s demands.