The 3 most popular models in blended learning

In traditional classroom training, participants often find it difficult to transfer material to everyday life. At the same time, HR managers are less and less willing to release training participants from work for several days. With the blended learning method, online content supplements the training in such a way that all benefit. But when is which model suitable for blended learning? We present the three most popular blended learning models!

What blended learning means for training

Blended learning basically means a mixture of different forms of learning. In the world of training and coaching, this approach is becoming increasingly popular, as participants as well as trainers and clients benefit from blended learning. The Association of European Blended Learning Experts provides the following definition on its website:

Blended learning efficiently integrates basically different educational approaches in such a way that the advantages of the one are used to compensate the disadvantages of the others.

A solid definition of blended learning – but trainers and coaches have a variety of models to choose from when it comes to putting it into practice. If you are considering using blended learning, you should therefore first ask yourself some questions about choosing a blended learning model.

Checklist: Which blended learning model fits your training?

Many factors play a role in choosing the right blended learning model: your previous format of face-to-face events, the size of your participant group, the duration of your entire training - and last but not least, your customer’s requirements. For an initial orientation, you should ask yourself the following three questions:

• Where should your focus lie - in the classroom or in the online phase?
• How many face-to-face events should you have in a training course?
• If more than one event: How much time elapses between individual events?

Depending on the answer, different models of blended learning are suitable for your training. The three most common ones are presented in the following section:

Three popular blended learning models

The focus, the number of events, and the overall time span of the training - these are key factors that influence the choice of your blended learning model. If we put these factors together in different ways, we get three typical blended learning models:

1. The Jumper
2. The Row
3. The Sandwich

The Jumper

With the Jumper, online and face-to-face phases are roughly equivalent. This blended learning model is therefore well suited for you if you have been using several face-to-face events with at least one week between them.

• Focus: Both online and face-to-face
• Number: More than one event
• Time span: Intervals of more than one week between events

The Row

With the Row, the focus is on the face-to-face phase. This blended learning model is well suited for you if you have focused your training or coaching primarily on a fixed time period, currently. If, for example, you have so far focused on a weekend seminar or a one-day workshop, you can extend the time span of your training and ensure the transfer of what you have learned by adding an online phase.

• Focus: Face-to-face Number: Less than five events
• Time span: Intervals of less than one week between events

The Sandwich

In the sandwich, the focus is more on the online phases. This blended learning model is well suited for you if you only have one or a maximum of two attendance dates. In a preparatory online phase, you can convey basic knowledge and introduce the topic. In the follow-up online phase, you can offer exercises and ensure transfer to everyday life.

The important thing about the sandwich is that the face-to-face event is surrounded by online content. In practice, this can mean that the trainer releases specific content for preparation and follow-up. Sometimes, however, the online phase is also an ongoing opportunity for participants to access additional content at any time. For example, participants may have the opportunity to interact with others by commenting on content.

• Focus: Online
• Number: one event (maximum two, one directly after the other)

In addition to these three typical models, there are of course numerous variations and special forms. With the "upside-down Row", for example, you first start with an online phase before using your face-to-face events. Check out our overview to see which blended learning models are most popular in practice and when each is suitable!

Examples of blended learning models from the field

Now you've learned about the three most common models in blended learning. For each model, variations will pop up. To get started, we advise you to choose one of the three typical models for a test phase. But what do the presented variants look like in practice? In the following, we describe a typical training for each model in blended learning:

A typical training in the "Jumper" blended learning model

As described above, the model is ideally suited for trainings that extend over a longer period of time. An example: Normen Ulbrich, a german trainer who advances personal development. Normen has often opted for the blended learning model "Jumper": He always starts with a classroom event to strengthen the personal bond for the coming months. Since there are usually several weeks between his face-to-face events, he fills the breaks with short online impulses.

Normen sees the advantage of the "Jumper" blended learning model in his participants staying on the ball for the long term and also receiving sustained support over an extended period.

A typical training session in the "Row" blended learning model

This model is well suited for trainers who want to start with blended learning and initially want to strengthen knowledge transfer of participants. The advantage of this model is that you as a trainer only have to refer to the online part at the end of your previous training. You can then combine the two forms of learning (face-to-face and online) like Lego building blocks.

In a company, the “Row” blended learning model is well suited for onboarding: New employees can be trained online over several weeks and months after a short personal introduction.

A typical training in the “Sandwich” blended learning model

This model is particularly suitable for trainers who work with a single face-to-face session and want to make intensive use of the online phase. In the longer online phase, you as a trainer can offer lots of content and exercises, or upload presentations. Intensive exchange between participants is also particularly possible with this model.

Dennis Tröger has often opted for the "Sandwich" blended learning model. He passes on his experience in brand marketing mainly in online events: Dennis' face-to-face event is a webinar that is accompanied by a longer online phase. This means that his customers can access online content both before and after the webinar and, for example, ask questions.

What Dennis sees as the advantage of the "Sandwich" blended learning model: Since personal exchange in the webinar is limited, participants have the additional opportunity on the online platform to ask Dennis questions or exchange experiences amongst themselves.

You have now learned about the most popular blended learning models and seen examples from practice. Which model is best suited for your training or coaching? Or do you already use blended learning and are a fan of a very specific model? Then send us a comment – we’re curious!

If you’ve already decided on a model, you’re already a good step closer on your way to becoming an expert in blended learning. Find out which 8 steps are still missing and what you need to do in our guide for trainers!