Blended learning in the workplace has many advantages for learners. A blended learning program allows participants the flexibility to learn largely on their own schedule and apply new skills learned immediately on the job. ATD Research’s latest report, Blended Learning: Leverage Flexibility to Maximize Results, sponsored by BookClub, finds that blended learning use has increased over the last two years, and is anticipated to increase over the next two. In fact, for 39 percent of respondents, blended learning makes up more than half of total learning at their organization.

Respondents saw many benefits of blended learning, such as increased flexibility for employees to learn, better retention of information learned, and increased learner engagement. Because the learning experience is shared, participants also benefit from peer support and collaboration along the journey.

If your organization is looking to begin or expand its use of blending learning, here are some things to consider:

Consider where it will be most effective.

Most respondents indicated they used blended learning for new-employee orientation and leadership development. However, organizations that rate themselves as very or extremely effective at blended learning also often used it for more purposes, including training in customer service, interpersonal skills, and processes, procedures, and business practices. Consider your learning programs’ objectives and see if blended learning could help you meet them.

Don’t reinvent the wheel.

One way to save time and money is by repurposing previously used or externally created content. Before creating new content for every blended learning journey, consider whether the extra expense required to create and maintain it will add significant value to the learners’ experience. If not, consider using external content from a variety of sources—including elements sourced from other internal learning programs, tools the organization has purchased, or input from subject matter experts. You should review any external content for accuracy and seamlessly link it into your program’s design.

Keep your skills fresh.

In addition to skills such as designing curriculum and creating learning content, respondents rated soft skills such as communication and collaboration as extremely important to effective blended learning design and delivery.

Know what technology is out there.

Because blended learning often involves the use of multiple tools and learning platforms, TD professionals should keep up with new developments and products in the e-learning field. “You should have knowledge of what’s out there,” says Catherine Lombardozzi, EdD, founder of Learning 4 Learning Professionals, who was interviewed for this report.

“With the way tools are coming down the pike, you don’t need to become an expert in every one, but you need to go to a conference presentation or a webinar and see what people are doing with that tool. That way, you have a general sense of what’s possible and can see whether it’s a tool you want to pursue and if it’s going to work for what you’re trying to achieve,” she concludes.