‘Many people struggle with problems but find it difficult to ask for help,’ says Ymke. ‘If you offer them the opportunity to learn a skill, you invite them to take control. That feels very different. And if you allow them to learn that skill in an online environment, it's much more impactful.’
‘Knowledge is stickier and live training courses achieve more depth’
While the blended principle has been fairly widely embraced in the commercial world, the well-being sector is lagging behind. ‘Most professionals help people become proficient in life in the traditional way,’ says Ymke. ‘They talk to clients and provide advice. Sometimes they also organize physical training sessions — for example, they have the group meet once a week to become more assertive or learn how to use money. In the meantime, participants may work on an assignment, but there is no interaction.’
'People are way better prepared for live training courses, which therefore achieve more depth'
A great lack, if you ask Ymke: ‘With blended learning, you'll achieve a much more in-depth and long-lasting learning effect. Knowledge is stickier, which is especially important for well-being related training courses. Experience shows that people can often apply well learned life skills to other areas of life. Moreover, blended learning allows you to respond to different learning styles. And people are much better prepared for live training courses, which therefore achieve more depth.’