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Blending for Impact: Unlocking the Power of Professional Development

A STEMtastic adventure

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Vision

VVOB contributes to an equitable world in which governments are capacitated to respect, protect and fulfil the right to quality education for every learner, without any form of discrimination.

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Mission

VVOB works towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) - "quality education for all" - and ensures the improvement of education:

through support of education actors, governmental or otherwise. This is achieved through technical assistance provided by VVOB's global expert staff.
by connecting education stakeholders across borders. This way, VVOB contributes to the facilitation of knowledge exchange based on worldwide research, experiences and expertise between partners with a similar mission.

The 2030 deadline of the SDGs is fast approaching. VVOB's 2030 strategy Learning Unlimited.: Championing teachers and school leaders for SDG 4 clarifies VVOB's vision, ambitions and approach for 2030.

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AGENDA

Why blended Continuous Professional Development?
How to Blend: a guide
Case study: INCREASE
Q&A

What’s on the agenda?

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WHY BLENDED CPD ?

Blended CPD as a trajectory that unfolds over a considerable period of time, as a combination of different learning modalities (online/ in-person), pedagogies and use of technology
To address educators’ professional development needs and improve their practice, resulting ultimately in improved learning outcomes.
Accelerated shift to online and blended Continuous Professional Development (Covid-19 pandemic crisis)

The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of technology in education, but many in-person continuous professional development (CPD) programmes had to shift overnight to online delivery. Blend ON! is intended to help CPD providers find the right blend of in-person and remote CPD, ensuring participants are motivated and engaged in a cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable way. The decision to return to fully in-person CPD or to maintain remote CPD depends on the specific circumstances. For example, in-person CPD can be preferable when participants can easily come together and when the focus of the CPD is on acquir- ing practical skills. Fully remote CPD can be perfectly fine when it is difficult to bring all participants together, when participants have experience with learning remotely, or when the focus of the CPD is on transferring knowledge.

However, in many instances, blended CPD can offer a higher quality of CPD by combining the benefits of in-person and remote CPD. With this guide, we want to help CPD providers find just the right blend, where participants are motivated and engaged and that includes all participants in a way that is cost-ef- fective, scalable and sustainable.

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THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Integrating in-person and remote learning by maximizing advantages of each modality.

Potential benefits vs. common pitfalls.

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EFFECTIVE CPD

A CPD trajectory is effective when it leads to sustainable changes in teachers’ knowledge, skills or attitudes, leading to a change in teaching practices, which results in improved learning outcomes.
Some considerations:

Attrition rates are higher
Attendance ≠ participation
Participation ≠ change
Secondary benefits

Effective blended CPD requires an appropriate blend of in-person and remote CPD activities, optimising the strengths and minimising the limitations of each.

Some considerations on the effectiveness of blended CPD:

• Attrition rates associated with remote CPD are often higher than for in-person CPD. You may therefore need to include attrition rates in your effectiveness measure.

• Attendance isn’t necessarily the same as participation. And participation doesn’t always mean changed practices. Measuring the effects of the CPD trajectory over time is important.

• Blended CPD may have secondary benefits: improved digital skills of facilitators and participants, more efficient administration, better data collection, higher flexibility, less paper usage, lower transport and accommodation costs, etc

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Global learning trajectory

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www.blend-on.org

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About the guide

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WHO IS THIS GUIDE FOR?

The guide is for CPD providers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) who wish to re-design their CPD programmes from an in-person or remote modality to a blended modality, or who wish to develop new blended CPD programmes tailored to the needs of their context and participants.

Is this you?

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ADDIE model: 4 phases
12 practical steps

How does it work?

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Experiences from the INCREASE programme in KENYA:�App-based CPD for Junior School Leaders

Convenience
Reduced Travel

Flexibility and Accessibility

Variety of Methods: best of both worlds
Collaborative Learning

2. Enhanced Engagement and Interaction

Lower Costs (TBC)
Scalability

3. Cost-Effectiveness

1. Flexibility and Accessibility

Convenience: Principals can access online components at any time and place, allowing them to balance professional development with their demanding schedules.
Reduced Travel: Minimizes the need for travel, which can be especially beneficial for principals in remote or rural areas.

2. Personalized Learning

Self-Paced: Principals can progress through online modules at their own pace, spending more time on areas where they need more development.
Customized Content: Blended CPD can be tailored to address the specific needs and challenges faced by individual principals or their schools.

3. Enhanced Engagement and Interaction

Variety of Methods: Combines the best of both worlds—interactive online tools (videos, quizzes, discussion forums) and face-to-face interaction (workshops, seminars).
Collaborative Learning: Online platforms can facilitate peer collaboration through forums and social media, allowing principals to share experiences and solutions.

4. Cost-Effectiveness

Lower Costs: Reduces expenses related to travel, accommodation, and venue hire for face-to-face sessions.
Scalability: Easier to scale up training programs to include more participants without significantly increasing costs.

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Ongoing Support
Real-Time Feedback

4. Continuous Improvement

Digital Literacy
Tech Integration

5. Improved Technological Skills

Analytics
Assessment

6. Data-Driven Insights

And more…

5. Continuous Improvement

Ongoing Support: Provides ongoing support and resources, rather than one-off training sessions, ensuring continuous professional growth.
Real-Time Feedback: Online assessments and surveys can provide immediate feedback, allowing for timely adjustments to the CPD program.

6. Better Knowledge Retention

Reinforcement: The blended approach allows for reinforcement of learning through multiple formats, aiding better retention and application of knowledge.
Interactive Content: Interactive elements such as quizzes, simulations, and video content can enhance understanding and retention compared to traditional lectures.

7. Improved Technological Skills

Digital Literacy: Engaging with online components helps principals improve their own digital literacy, which is essential in modern educational environments.
Tech Integration: Encourages principals to integrate technology into their schools more effectively.

8. Diverse Learning Opportunities

Expert Access: Online platforms can provide access to a wider range of experts and resources than might be available locally.
Broader Perspectives: Exposure to diverse viewpoints and practices from different regions or countries through online interactions.

9. Data-Driven Insights

Analytics: Online platforms can track progress and participation, providing data that can be used to tailor and improve the CPD program.
Assessment: Enables regular assessment and monitoring of principals' development, ensuring that the CPD is effective and relevant.

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Take away: 10 best practices for blended CPD

Align with Adult Learning Principles
Define Clear Learning Outcomes
Structure for Flexibility and Accessibility
Combine Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning Thoughtfully
Prioritize Engagement and Interaction
Integrate Real-World Application
Provide Ongoing Feedback and Support
Use Data to Monitor and Improve Learning
Build Facilitator Capacity
Plan for Sustainability and Scalability

1. Align with Adult Learning Principles�Adults learn best when the content is relevant, practical, and allows for self-direction. Always connect learning to their real-world context and prior experience.

2. Define Clear Learning Outcomes�Start with the end in mind. Be clear on what learners should know or be able to do. This clarity shapes your content, your activities, and how you measure success.

3. Structure for Flexibility and Accessibility�Design for diverse learners. Ensure your content is mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and can be accessed at different times and paces. This flexibility is key for busy professionals.

4. Combine Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning Thoughtfully�Use live sessions for discussion, collaboration, and feedback. Use self-paced content for deeper reflection and practice. Make sure both formats are connected and complement each other.

5. Prioritize Engagement and Interaction�Avoid passive learning. Use discussions, group tasks, quizzes, and polls. Create moments where participants collaborate, share ideas, and learn from each other.

6. Integrate Real-World Application�Support learners to apply what they learn in their own context—through case studies, action tasks, or reflective practice. This builds confidence and competence.

7. Provide Ongoing Feedback and Support�Give regular, constructive feedback. Support learners with clear guidance, peer exchanges, or mentoring. This keeps motivation high and helps correct course early.

8. Use Data to Monitor and Improve Learning�Track participation, gather feedback, and reflect on what’s working. Use this data to continuously improve the design and support offered.

9. Build Facilitator Capacity�Facilitators need support too. Equip them with training on online pedagogy, tools, and engagement techniques. A well-prepared facilitator makes all the difference.

10. Plan for Sustainability and Scalability�Think long-term. Use modular designs, easy-to-update materials, and low-cost tech. Embed blended CPD in institutional systems so it can grow and last.

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Thank you!

Noam.janssens@vvob.org

Got questions?