No.69   October 1, 2003   Effectiveness of Blended Learning in Management Skill Training   Hiroaki NAGURA and Yasuhisa ARAKAWA        In these days, the cost effectiveness of corporate education and training programs is coming in for increasingly stringent scrutiny. In particular, more practical output in training programs that can lead to substantive overall effects is called for in management skill training. Furthermore, such training is also expected to play a role that conforms to the company's vision with respect to developing human resources.        How does the shift towards e-learning techniques that rely on personal computers (PCs) and networks change the pattern of classroom training? The NRI (Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.) Group has acquired extensive know-how and educational capabilities in management consulting, and has also developed a wealth of experience in the development and operation of e-learning systems. Drawing on both of these elements, we have carried out a series of tests to verify what blended learning (a combination of e-learning and classroom training) can do and the effects that blended learning can bring about.        As a result, the following three points were identified: (1) in terms of training human resources under the theme of management skills, the e-based knowledge input venue and the venue of the group-training arena (where learned knowledge is actually put into practical use) are both essential; (2) for this particular theme, participants strongly supported blended learning; and (3) blended learning can increase the overall effects and efficiency of training through the careful design of overall programs, the enhancement of contents and the establishment of appropriate operating environments.        The most important factor from the learner standpoint is whether a learning environment that can promote motivation and sustain self-education can be established. On the other hand, instructors will face the increasing need to improve their group-facilitation (i.e., study promotion and guidance) capabilities, as classroom-training environments where they can display such capabilities will be developed. For operators, the utilization of the convenient learning management system (LMS) will reduce peripheral operations such as clerical work. At the same time, the coordination abilities of operators that enable learners to select the most appropriate menu and contents will be tested. Contents I Is Blended Learning Effective in Management Skill Training?   1 Utilization of E-Learning in Management Skill Training   2 What Themes of Classroom Management Training Match E-Learning Methodologies?   3 Searching for Approaches to Blended Learning That Increases ROI II Blended Learning Verification Tests   1 Outline of Blended Learning Verification Tests   2 Evaluation Methods and Performance Disclosure III How to Sustain Learner Interest in the Ubiquitous Network Era IV Blended Learning Increases Both Effects and Efficiency   1 Evaluation of Overall Training Program   2 Evaluation of Studying by E-Learning   3 Evaluation of E-Learning Materials V Future Tasks in Blended Learning GO to PDF