Last June the Department for Education published its 20% off-the-job training guidance for apprenticeships, providing welcome context and illustrative examples.
Whilst the guidance restated that blended learning is permissible for apprenticeships, what does best practice in this area actually look like and what are the pitfalls?
The aim of the guidance was not to simply repeat the ESFA apprenticeships funding rules, but to instead provide useful policy background and examples to off-the-job training - and one of the elements that DfE were keen to clarify were its views on blended learning.
Blended not Distance
Whilst DfE said that pure distance learning has no place in apprenticeships programmes, they stated that blended learning certainly does.
Cognisant that blended learning can and does mean different things to different people, DfE decided to provide three best practice examples to illustrate their view, each with a distinctly different flavour.
1. On Demand
The first example looked at ‘on demand’ blended learning where apprenticeships could access “high-quality videos, animations, check learning questions, quizzes, case studies and external resources”, all of which would be supported by face-to-face sessions to consolidate learning.
2. Live Online
In contrast to the on demand example, they next focussed on ‘live online’ where the apprentice would “participate in a dedicated weekly virtual forum with peers, where she can also access virtual seminars, academic resources and case studies, share experiences with peers and perform project work.”
3. E-portfolio
The final example considered the benefits of an e-portfolio where the apprentice “builds up a portfolio of evidence through his assignments, reflective journal log, work place observations and projects.”
Common Thread
So what is it that ties these examples together?
The common thread is that each example clearly states the learner, their needs and their subject matter. As you would hope, these factors are the driver behind creating the right type of blended learning programme that allows apprentices to thrive.
Mark Mckenna is Managing Director of Mindful Education.
Mindful Education specialise in media-rich Professional Courses & Apprenticeships, delivered in partnership across the UK.