This document discusses blended learning and provides examples of how organizations have implemented blended learning programs. It defines blended learning as combining formal and informal learning strategies by integrating online and in-person learning experiences. The document outlines how to increase the success of blended learning programs through the use of a blended learning portal, and provides two examples of organizations that achieved cost savings and increased completion rates using blended learning portals for self-study and virtual classroom programs. Participant feedback on blended learning programs is also presented.

1. Making Blended
Learning More Effective
Carrie Carr
Mark McDowell
August 20, 2013

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• Why blended learning?
• How to increase the success of blended learning
• Blended learning success stories using a blended
learning portal
• What blended learning portal users are saying
• What‘s next?
Agenda

3. Why Blended Learning?

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What is Blended Learning?
A Blended Learning Solution…
• Weaves together a series of
modules/learning experiences that
employ different delivery channels over
a defined period of time
• Combines the best content from any
source, to achieve learning outcomes
• Integrates the learning
experience, including
content, communications, and technology

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Refocusing formal and informal learning leads to a high
business impact
Blended Learning Brings Formal and Informal
Learning Strategies Together
• Analyze work process
• Identify typical situations when learning needs arise
• Determine appropriate supporting material
• Integrate supporting material in work process / workplace and make it accessible in an easy way
• Deliver Instructor led training events whenever key concepts and foundations have to be delivered

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• Cost savings, particularly through delivery costs
• Reusability of learning components
• Provides motivation and interaction around self-
studies to increase completion rates
• Improved learner engagement/
learning effectiveness
• Increased flexibility for both students and faculty
Value of Blended Learning

7. How to Increase the Success of
Blended Learning…

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• A blended learning portal (BLP) provides one place to find all
components of a blended learning program
• For Accenture, we‘ve created 40 unique courses using a Blended
Learning Portal and achieve a estimated cost savings of approximately
$4M
…Use a Blended Learning Portal

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• A streamlined format for virtual instructor-led courses that
creates one point of entry for self-study
materials, discussions, and virtual sessions
• Customizable for various course types:
– Build online guides for classroom courses
– Build simple web-based self-study courses
• Multiple interaction types for participants and faculty
• Full course access or enforced learning paths
• Easy tracking and reporting
• Intuitive interface for developers
• Can be integrated with an existing learning management system
Benefits of a Blended Learning Portal

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Blended Self-study (Self Study Primary)
Courses with a blend of self-study assets
How We’ve Used the Blended Learning Portal
• Provide context: Provide participants with task list and context as to why
they are completing each asset.
• Tailor to a target audience: If various target audiences are taking the
course, easily direct participants to the course asset most applicable to
them.
• Promote social learning: Encourage participants to connect with other
participants taking the training via discussions or other collaboration
approaches
• Post course: Post reference materials and promote discussions on how to
apply the content

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Blended Virtual Classroom (vILT Primary)
Courses with one or more virtual sessions, typically
blended with self-study work and collaboration
How We’ve Used the Blended Learning Portal
• Before the course: access all pre-course work in the blended learning
portal. Promote initial networking and discussion. Access team
assignments and course material. Track completion and send reminders
• During the virtual session: access presentations, activity instructions, and
other support materials
• Between virtual sessions: access reference materials, post team
assignments, and faculty can ―grade‖ team assignments
• Post course: Encourage follow up discussion on the course content
(transfer of learning) and provide access to other assignments post course

12. Success Stories Using a Blended
Learning Portal:
• Blended Self Study Program
• Virtual Blended Program

13. Blended Self Study Program

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• Business situation:
– New consultants within a business domain in our consulting
practice
– Level-set on common skills required within the business
– Throughput of 500+ people per year globally
– Reduce increase completion rate to better prepare for upcoming
core training
• Program: 8 hours self study content
• Results: Increased completion rates from 32% to 78%
Example: Blended Self Study

15. Virtual Blended Program

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• Business situation:
– Improve the business knowledge of HR professionals so they could
better meet the needs of internal stakeholders
– Course originally designed for ILT
– Throughput of 400 per year globally
– Limited number of expert faculty
– Reduce delivery costs, increase prerequisite completion and
maintain integrity of the program
• Program: 32 hours
• Results: Reduced delivery costs by 90%, increased prerequisite
completion by 60% and achieved same results as ILT
Example: Blended Virtual Classroom

17. Blended Self Study Program
(another example)

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• Business situation:
– Improve the skills of top level executives in our consulting practice in
these areas: relationship development, conversations, network
building and selling
– Fit into the schedules of busy executives
– Faculty includes globally renowned experts and other top executives
as coaches
• Program: 40 hours
– Series of lessons (bite-size learning nuggets), combined with small
practice groups and individualized coaching
– Six to eight month commitment required to review content and to test
new behaviors
• Results: High satisfaction scores (some activities 5/5); high
level of involvement
Another Example: Blended Self Study

19. Virtual Blended Program
(another example)

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• Business situation:
– Provide new analysts with foundational professional skills; ensuring they are ‗client
ready‘
– Maintain instructional integrity (as in ILT)
– Throughput of 2000 per year globally
– Limited number of expert faculty
– Reduce delivery costs
• Program: 40 hours
• Results: Reduced delivery costs by 70%, good satisfaction score (4.3/5), over
4000 participants attended
• Representative participant feedback:
“Fantastic course that touched on important concepts such as communication, cultural
awareness, owning your career, and engaging with the client. I thought the course was excellently
run and particularly enjoyed the interactive nature of it. Working with analysts from all across the
country really was exciting and taught us the value of teamwork. Especially working in virtual
teams which is something that we will do throughout our career. Overall, I enjoyed the course a lot
and learned many valuable tools that I can use in my work.”
Another Example: Blended Virtual Classroom

21. Participant Feedback

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Here are some of the comments from participants from
previous courses:
What Are Users Saying?
• ―Very convenient.‖
• ―The site was easy to navigate and was a great way to access and submit
information in one location.‖
• ―It was easy to organize my time with the self studies; liked the versatility
of media (videos, texts, downloadable material, simulations).‖
• ―Very simple—clean interface and fast.‖
• ―[I like] that it's a portal where you can find your full activity for a day—kind
of like a full Outlook calendar with tasks. [It‘s] nice that you can work off a
list.‖

23. Next Steps

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• Design for better access via tablets or mobile
• Create an app for easy access on mobile devices
Blended Learning Portal – What’s Next?

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• For additional information, contact:
– Carrie Carr (carrie.f.carr@accenture.com)
– Mark McDowell (mark.e.mcdowell@accenture.com)
Additional Information

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