10 tips for blended learning
![](https://media.aofoundation.org/-/media/project/aocd/aof/promo-images/facultyfocus/ff_10tips_blended.jpg?h=1080&iar=0&w=1920&rev=a249ba777ad14ea5901bffc75662898a)
Blended learning is a familiar concept in the AO, used for example in faculty development and residents' programs for many years, with a mix of online and face-to-face components. As clinical courses are increasingly delivered in this way, we are pleased to share some top tips to enhance your blended events.
![](https://media.aofoundation.org/-/media/project/aocd/shared/facultyfocus/2022/10-tips-blended-learning/10_tips_1-2022_r02_tip_1_thinkoflearningoutcome.png?h=490&iar=0&w=532&rev=9c210c12758c45308f390afaf000cefa)
1. Plan with your learning objectives in mind. Select the technology to serve the outcome you want your education to achieve.
![](https://media.aofoundation.org/-/media/project/aocd/shared/facultyfocus/2022/10-tips-blended-learning/10_tips_1-2022_r02_tip_2_audience.png?h=489&iar=0&w=533&rev=1a0004dba1cc48a0b1212072b71c9f21)
2. Think about why you are using blended learning. Eg, is it to reach a wider audience or an audience with differing levels of experience? Plan your content accordingly.
![](https://media.aofoundation.org/-/media/project/aocd/shared/facultyfocus/2022/10-tips-blended-learning/10_tips_1-2022_r02_tip_3_synergize_v1.png?h=489&iar=0&w=532&rev=e69ba4914f5343daafe5c979ac093280)
3. Align the online experience with the face-to-face experience. Do the resources you provide link to the live event with the same learning objectives?
![](https://media.aofoundation.org/-/media/project/aocd/shared/facultyfocus/2022/10-tips-blended-learning/10_tips_1-2022_r02_tip_4_learnerspreference_v2.png?h=490&iar=0&w=532&rev=c1540c6198a241a6b122fb400cba78d1)
4. Address your learners' preferences and context. What sort of resources do they respond to eg, short readings, videos? Consider how to create a social element in the online parts.
![](https://media.aofoundation.org/-/media/project/aocd/shared/facultyfocus/2022/10-tips-blended-learning/10_tips_1-2022_r02_tip_5_preexistingcourses.png?h=490&iar=0&w=533&rev=227442a335e14a85b02fcc9c110dbb41)
5. Avoid the temptation to take a pre-existing course and “blend” it.
![](https://media.aofoundation.org/-/media/project/aocd/shared/facultyfocus/2022/10-tips-blended-learning/10_tips_1-2022_r02_tip_6_considerroulesoffaculty_v1.png?h=489&iar=0&w=532&rev=fa2019ac6a7c48079d62c960a27f6683)
6. Consider the roles of your faculty and communicate expectations, eg, facilitator, moderator, coach.
![](https://media.aofoundation.org/-/media/project/aocd/shared/facultyfocus/2022/10-tips-blended-learning/10_tips_1-2022_r02_tip_7_collaborativelearning.png?h=490&iar=0&w=532&rev=83c1d7c797c64f5e9e5d1a5e812feb56)
7. Promote collaborative learning. Build in options for this (eg, forums, group work).
![](https://media.aofoundation.org/-/media/project/aocd/shared/facultyfocus/2022/10-tips-blended-learning/10_tips_1-2022_r02_tip_8_respectonlineportion.png?h=490&iar=0&w=532&rev=a44a32c1af1e4b57a514829f93e944fb)
8. Respect the online portion of the course. If you don’t believe it is educationally sound, neither will your learners.
![](https://media.aofoundation.org/-/media/project/aocd/shared/facultyfocus/2022/10-tips-blended-learning/10_tips_1-2022_r02_tip_9_pilotnewcourses_v1.png?h=490&iar=0&w=533&rev=270639da27a94c7cae17c34773397ca3)
9. Pilot new courses, getting feedback from participants and faculty, and build on what you have learned.
![](https://media.aofoundation.org/-/media/project/aocd/shared/facultyfocus/2022/10-tips-blended-learning/10_tips_1-2022_r02_tip_10_manageexpectations.png?h=490&iar=0&w=532&rev=5a6adb9a13fe4901ac1541bc41c12623)
10. Manage expectations. Prepare your learners and faculty: They need to be aware of what is needed/expected of them and what they will get out of the experience.
Acknowledgement
Adapted from: https://theelearningcoach.com/elearning2-0/best-practices-in-blended-learning/