FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Blended Learning For Public Sector Managers Offers Definable Returns on Investment

September 11, 2007

Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK

Blended Learning; the combination of classroom, distance and self-learning, has developed into a powerful force in management training.

This combination lends itself particularly well to Return On Investment (ROI) calculations for training - measuring effectiveness from day 1, rather than relying on just qualitative evaluations at the end of the learning event.

A successful blended learning process has the following steps;

  1. Form a design team between client and consultant
  2. Define the learning goals and desired outcomes
  3. Create a personality and theme to the training to which internal participants can relate
  4. Define core content that needs to be covered
  5. Create points of validation that will be integrated into the training that set minimum learning standards
  6. Bring the information together to create your blended learning skills path
  7. Add “must complete” actions within the online / distance components to help measure ROI from day 1 of the learning event
  8. Add key information to be presented in the classroom indicating specific skills being targeted
  9. Identify case studies, web links or supporting documentation to enhance the learning
  10. Define the quizzes and other entertaining exercises that re-enforce key messages
  11. Outline other activities such as audio and video components to be blended into the training
  12. Agree to a project plan with strict dates on deliverables
  13. Engage learner population and appropriate management with clear brief of what will happen and expectations. This can include setting up an initial help desk or similar to answer questions or help the learners onboard early in the process
  14. Test at agreed points in the development process
  15. Delivery of a final product
  16. Tracking of learner engagement and completion of validated stages

Projects need to be vigorously managed but supported with the mantra of “Keep It Simple” covering all steps in the process. This philosophy would include providing information in small chunks, being aware of remote users that may not have broadband to handle large graphic files as well as focusing on content rather than the technology. These steps will also help in managing the overall costs.

The final step is to define what deliverables you want to measure with the trainees. Look at knowledge gained, new skills put to use in the workplace or attitudes and internal interactions that are desired.

The challenge is to find the right company that can offer a full service from collaboratively designing the training on a common technical platform to building the product to conducting the classroom training and then assessing the return on the investment in training.

Cegos UK is one of the leading providers of blended learning to the public and private sectors. Recent clients using this methodology across both the public and private sector include City of Edinburgh Council, The Central Office of Information for the UK government, and Kodak Health Group.

Cegos can be contacted through their website, www.cegos.co.uk, emailed directly through training.solutions@cegos.co.uk or call their client support team on 0161 445 2426.

Cegos is also listed on the Buyers Guide website.

Companies listed on Buyers Guide range from multinationals to sole traders, but all have the goal of working on public sector contracts. These include working with schools, colleges, universities, local councils, ministry of defense, NHS, housing authorities, and government funded non-profit agencies.

The advantage that Buyers Guide offers is that the company “profile” on the www.buyersguide.co.uk website is written to specifically answer the pre-qualification questions from public sector buyers.

Contact:

Buyers Guide
0191 260 5388
0191 221 2287
www.buyersguide.co.uk

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