Training courses are fundamental to personal growth as well as professional development, helping to increase efficiency and productivity in the workplace. However, working in the legal industry often means spending long hours in the office to meet deadlines. By spending such volumes of time at your desk, you tend to forget that ongoing personal development can positively impact your daily activities. But where can we find the time without sacrificing important billable hours? That’s where blended learning can help. It mixes face-to-face education with online learning, offering you the benefits of both. So, if you are thinking of undertaking a course to enhance your existing skills, or maybe build new ones, but you’re unsure of the best delivery method for you, then keep reading. This week we will be reviewing some of the key benefits that you can unlock with blended learning.
It’s all about balance
The legal industry can be extremely competitive, therefore, to ensure you only deliver the best service to your clients, investing time into learning and ongoing development is vital. Unfortunately, statistics show that the modern learner only has 1% of time set aside for learning in an average working week. So, what can be done to increase precious time spent on self-development? A blended approach to learning can be the solution as it offers added flexibility and can be tailored to your busy schedule. By doing this, you will be able to choose your preferred method according to how much time you have available. Balancing a heavy workload can be tricky sometimes and that’s why it’s important to choose courses like Leadership & Management that can help you better understand how to take control of your working day by better managing your time and your team. You can attend the class in person and access online learning materials anytime, anywhere ,ensuring you find the place and time that best suits you.
What type of learner are you?
When talking about learning styles and techniques, we can identify seven different types of learners. For each and every one of them, there are different methods and approaches that work best. For example, an introvert may find it difficult and uncomfortable to share their thoughts with a room full of people; on the opposite end, an extrovert could find learning online quite limited as they might miss out on body language from the trainers. By mixing the two approaches, blended learning opens up more opportunities for all types of learners to develop not only their professional skills but also personal ones too. By being exposed to different environments, learners can improve their soft skills which can have a dramatic impact on client relationships, as well as those within the team. There truly are benefits for all.
The ‘M’ word (Money)
We all know that social interaction is fundamental for humans and it has also been reported that it can have a positive impact on our health. Therefore, face-to-face learning can benefit the individual more than you think. However, as well as offering high levels of interaction through Altior’s Live Online chat box function, studies have shown that online training courses can be more financially beneficial. By cutting down on travel and accommodation costs, e-learning modules can be £4,167 cheaper than face-to-face alternatives per person. As well as being cost-effective, it is also beneficial for the environment, saving up to 10 tons of gas emission (study based on 100 students). They both have their benefits, but we understand that sometimes the choice may come down to the ‘M’ word.
Paper or digital?
Studies in the past have shown that, when exposed to a digital or a paper-based ad, people seem to engage with and better remember the content of a physical ad more clearly than its digital version. Here at Altior, we understand that for some, having physical copies of materials to revisit at the end of a lesson or before a final assessment, is crucial. That’s why, when our Live Online platform was launched, it was our priority to find a system to satisfy our clients’ requirements through the provision of paper-based copies as we would for any face-to-face course. However, we are all different and we all have varying study preferences. In this digital-first era where online courses are increasingly growing in popularity, research shows that virtual learning has been proven to be just as, if not more, effective for learning retention, with students accessing online materials retaining up to 60% more information. Whichever solution you opt for, it’s important that you take into consideration your individual preference to ensure that you make the most of your learning experience.
In such a busy environment, we tend to forget about our personal and professional development. But now, no matter how hectic life gets, it’s important that we prioritise our learning and ongoing training. If you are looking for flexible and high-quality training, blended learning is the perfect opportunity for you to take control of your choices and opt for your preferred learning method. It can add flexibility, save time, money, and help you better enjoy learning by making the process more accessible. But when it comes to making the choice between online or face-to-face learning, it’s all down to preference.
To learn more about our upcoming courses and to book your place, contact us today on 02920 451 000 or email us at infoaltior@barbri.com