Effectiveness of Blended Learning in Management Skill Training

In these days, the cost effectiveness of corporate education and training programs is coming in for increasingly stringent scrutiny. In particular, more practical output in training programs that can lead to substantive overall effects is called for in management skill training. Furthermore,such training is also expected to play a role that conforms to the company's vision with respect to developing human resources. How does the shift towards e-learning techniques that rely on personal computers (PCs) and networks change the pattern of classroom training? The NRI (Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.) Group has acquired extensive know-how and educational capabilities in management consulting, and has also developed a wealth of experience in the development and operation of e-learning systems. Drawing on both of these elements, we have carried out a series of tests to verify what blended learning (a combination of e-learning and classroom training) can do and the effects that blended learning can bring about. As a result, the following three points were identified: (1) in terms of training human resources under the theme of management skills, the e-based knowledge input venue and the venue of the group-training arena (where learned knowledge is actually put into practical use) are both essential; (2) for this particular theme, participants strongly supported blended learning; and (3) blended learning can increase the overall effects and efficiency of training through the careful design of overall programs, the enhancement of contents and the establishment of appropriate operating environments.