THE MANAGEMENT OF BLENDED LEARNING IN SMEs WITH THE CYBERNETIC E-LEARNING MANAGEMENT MODEL - A CASE STUDY AT KRONES AG -

Abstract

Blended learning is gaining momentum in further education in particular for internationally operating organisations. The blend of classical face-to-face trainings with media-based trainings frequently is still not a standard to internationally operating small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The Cybernetic e-Learning Management Model - CeLMM - [5], developed for the management of media-based trainings, is founded on the generally valid ISO reference model for Learning, Education and Training [1], and has been developed and used in particular for the application of e-learning in internationally operating organisations. This holistic phase- and process-oriented model comprises aspects that are generally treated in the conception of e-learning trainings in order to develop a training for internationally operating enterprises. This framework for the development and the introduction of a Blended Learning training of Krones AG has been adapted within the scope of a case study, and it has been used with the target of a holistic management of the training for the introduction of an IT system at the Krones AG. This paper focuses on the analysis and discussion of the general applicability of the CeLMM framework in the context of Blended Learning training approaches, and the observation of the efficiency of the application in small and medium-size enterprises with multi-nationally operating organisations. The analysis of the Krones AG case study shows immediately, as well as three years after its implementation, that the model has already been realised in internationally operating enterprises such as the adidas Group or the BMW Group [5] that it can be used with a positive effect on the management of blended learning situations as well.. In the process, the development and introduction of Blended Learning methods has been supported successfully. Besides the description of the examination method, the case study at Krones, a final critical discussion will be held on whether the application of the CeLMM for Blended Learning scenarios can be generalised, and an outlook on the further research activities will be presented.