Online and offline learning. How to get the best out of both

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyday life has changed all over the world. Social distance emerged to stop the spread of the virus, forcing institutions to experience a shift from physical to digital, a transition shaped by technological and organisational challenges. Within a few months, the world of meeting, discussing, exchanging ideas, teaching and learning has undergone a digital transformation that has enabled companies, organisations, and governments to virtually 'meet' people on the other side of the globe. Reducing travelling time and costs promises considerable gains in productivity, efficiency, and sustainability, offering new opportunities that may be acknowledged, ingrained, and sustained even after the pandemic.

These opportunities were not missed by DECP, who recognized the value of incorporating both online and offline elements into their activities. With this insight in mind, DECP set out to discover more about the possibilities of blended learning, with the help of a team of six Master’s students from Maastricht University. After seven weeks of hard work, they discovered that the possibilities blended learning offers are endless, which inevitably adds a layer of complexity to what seemed like a simple question. Indeed, after conducting an extensive literature search on blended learning, the students were left with more questions than when they started. To enrich their perspective, the team enlisted the help of 27 experts from DECP’s and their own network.

The extended research of the student team resulted in an article, which is a summary of their findings (Read more: Article on blended learning), a practical toolbox for experts who want to benefit from blended training opportunities Toolbox, and a full report Full report.

For more information or access to the report and the practical toolbox, please contact Jos Van Erp via E-Mail (erp@decp.nl).