The Blended Learning Book: Best Practices, Proven Methodologies, and Lessons Learned [Hardcover]

Josh Bersin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 7, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0787972967 | ISBN-13: 978-0787972967 | Edition: 1

The Blended Learning Book is your user?s manual for implementing blended learning.? It gives you a guidebook to combining the latest technologies with traditional training models to create high-impact programs that drive superior business results (not just reduce costs). Filled with real-world examples and case studies from organizations such as Accenture, BI, Cisco, FedEx, Kinko?s, Grant-Thornton, IBM, Novell, the U.S. Navy, Verizon, and more, e-learning veteran Josh Bersin zeros in on What Works -- in all shapes and sizes of training departments from a variety of industries.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Josh Bersin has simplified the complexity of the all-to-often confusing concept of blended learning. His in-depth research identifies best practices that are proven in the real world. This book is a must-read for training professionals who are trying to identify the right mix of media to create blended programs that get results.”
--James J. L'Allier, chief learning officer, Thomson NETg

“Blended Learning is one of the hottest topics in corporate training today. The Blended Learning Book is filled with examples, methodologies, and approaches that we find instrumental in making our programs successful.  Josh Bersin’s experience and insights are valuable to any training professional.”
--Gerry Lang, director, Learning Platform and Services, Microsoft

“Blended Learning is a complex topic and Josh Bersin makes it easy. This book helps training managers understand why, when, and how to implement blended programs that really work.
--Kevin Oakes, CEO, SumTotal Systems Inc.

“Blended Learning by using multiple delivery channels is core to our training strategy. This book gives readers valuable insights developed through years of experience. Bersin’s book should be on the “must read” list for any training professional.”
--Bob Dean, chief learning officer, Grant Thornton LLP

“Blended Learning is a powerful approach to drive results in corporate training. Josh Bersin’s book captures the essentials and gives you the methodologies and tips you need to be highly successful.”
--Eli Munzer, director, e-Learning, Verizon

From the Inside Flap

As e-learning gurus and vendors hype the industry about a mad rush toward internet-based training, a more balanced approach has emerged: blended learning.

The Blended Learning Book is your user’s manual for implementing blended learning. It gives you a guidebook to combining the latest technologies with traditional training models to create high-impact programs that drive superior business results (not just reduce costs). Filled with real-world examples and case studies from organizations such as Accenture, BI, Cisco, FedEx Kinko’s, Grant Thornton, IBM, Novell, the U.S. Navy, Verizon, and more, e-learning veteran Josh Bersin zeros in on What Works™ in all shapes and sizes of training departments from a variety of industries.

Broadly and deeply researched, the book clears up many misconceptions about blended learning while providing a clear and comprehensive understanding of the principles and proven best practices. For training and learning professionals, The Blended Learning Book provides

• The two approaches and the five blended learning models that have been proven successful
• A detailed review of the 16 media options for blended learning and a road map to selecting the right media set for the right problem
• A solid methodology to develop the budget, select infrastructure, develop content, and manage a blended learning program
• A large library of case studies and examples, with content samples and detailed program outlines
• A set of "lessons learned" in every chapter
• An accompanying website, www.blendedlearning.com, with up-to-date techniques, new case studies, and job aids

A comprehensive look at the most discussed trend in training, The Blended Learning Book describes each step in defining, budgeting, building, managing, and measuring blended learning programs. With the accompanying website, learning professionals will be able to stay current on the emerging trends and future directions of blended learning.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Pfeiffer; 1 edition (October 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787972967
• ISBN-13: 978-0787972967
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.1 x 9.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #660,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Josh Bersin is the Principal and CEO of Bersin & Associates, a leading research and advisory research firm focused on enterprise learning and talent management.

Josh started his career as a mechanical engineer in the 1970s (working for Exxon) and then moved into technology, sales, and marketing through his ten year career at IBM in the 1980s. During this time he had the opportunity to participate in IBM's end-to-end sales, management, and technical training programs - forming the basis of his experience in all areas of training.

In later years Josh worked at Sybase and then became the founding member of a pioneering learning management systems company (Arista Knowledge Systems) which was sold to e-learning pioneer DigitalThink in 2000. Josh ran DigitalThink's product management and marketing before deciding that he was best-suited to be a writer, analyst, and corporate consultant.

Today Josh is well known in the training and HR marketplaces as a pragmatic expert on best-practices in all areas of training, talent management, leadership, recruiting and HR. His books represent some of his best research industry experience on the winning solutions in training and training measurement. Josh is currently working on a new book to help HR and business leaders understand how to use talent management as a strategic competitive advantage.

Much more details available at http://www.bersin.com .

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have Book for Your Learning Library December 21, 2011

By Helen Blunden

Format:Hardcover

Josh Bersin's book on Blended Learning: Best Practices, Proven Methodologies and Lessons Learned is one that must be in any learning and development professional library or reading list. His approach to blended learning is simplified as he provides practical examples of how to structure and create a blended program. In particularly, he first outlines the six modes of learning and provides supporting examples of the value of experiential learning. From there, he expands into the four principles of corporate training to enable mastery and this allows the reader to start reflecting on their own program approach and what media are needed for each.

He explains the models of blended learning models along with the benefits of each and provides defining features and examples of how they may be used for what particular training purposes. One chapter covers the criteria for selecting the blend and then how to develope the content and finally explaining how a company may manage the roll out and management. He provides checklists and tables at the end of the book that may be used.

Overall, this book is required reading for any learning and development professional who would like to understand the theory and principles of blended learning but also for those implementing and co-ordinating the program due to its high level of practical examples, case studies, tools and checklists.

It is highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars A one book reference shelf November 20, 2010

By John H. Macdonald

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book serves me on the job as a solid quick reference for online learning projects. Very useful for project management especially, this book provides frameworks and vocabulary for elearning that can be used across the enterprise as new initiatives are introduced. Especially useful for groups that have recently made the move to the online environment.

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful thinking and context---You don't have to re0invent the whell or learn everythign the hard way April 15, 2009

By Joe Brodnicki

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The best books in this field, I think, provide new information and synthesize what you already knew (or suspected) into new or better forms. In other words, the author not only provides information, but valuable thinking on the subject. Bersin's book succeeds in both areas.

Blended Learning provides a language framework in which to consider the topic and proven possibilities on how to make it work for you in different contexts.

Even if you know it all about blended learning, it's good food for thought and will test your assumptions.