MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Medtronic and Capella Education Company, a provider of online post-secondary education through its wholly owned subsidiary Capella University, have won a coveted Brandon Hall Bronze Award for Excellence in the Best Use of Blended Learning category.

The Brandon Hall Group gave the award in recognition of the quality product produced by the partnership between Capella and Medtronic. That product was the Field Force Training Institute (FFTI), a global learning program offering virtual and blended training solutions to two of Medtronics businesses: Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management (CDRM) and Cardiovascular. The FFTI consists of new-hire and advanced-training programs for Medtronic employees across the globe. As a blended solution, the program offers some courses that are solely online, while others are delivered partially online in combination with traditional classroom components.

The FFTI programs asynchronous components include self-paced interactive tutorials, which require pedagogically driven decision making. These objectives-based exercises create engaging opportunities for learners to apply knowledge. In addition, interactive tutorials provide safe opportunities to fail, with immediate feedback provided to the learner.

"This years winners should be very proud of their achievements, especially based on the rigorous judging process all submissions underwent, said Mike Cooke, chief executive officer of Brandon Hall Group, Inc. We are honored to recognize the award winners who exemplify a high standard of performance in their organization and demonstrate clear, measurable business results through these innovative programs.

The entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran independent senior industry experts, Brandon Hall Group senior analysts and executive leadership based upon the following criteria:

The quality of the training and the critical performance outcomes were the primary goals for this effort. It was clear from the start that the Capella team recognized this, and were committed to the same high standards. That shared vision and commitment were critical for our overall success. Capella was a true partner and one Id recommend to anyone starting on the journey from traditional classroom instruction to one utilizing virtual, blended training, said Dr. Bob Bodine, program director for Medtronics CRDM Field Force Training.

About Capella Education Company

Founded in 1991, Capella Education Company is a leader in online education, primarily through our wholly owned subsidiary Capella University, a regionally accredited online university*. In addition, Capella Education Company offers online education through Resource Development International Ltd. (RDI), an independent provider of United Kingdom (UK) university distance learning qualifications; and owns Sophia, a first-of-its-kind social education platform that offers students many ways to learn by making free, credible, academic content available to anyone, anywhere, at anytime.

Capella University offers online graduate degree programs in business, counseling, education, health administration, homeland security, human resource management, human services, information technology, nonprofit management and leadership, nursing, psychology, public administration, public health, public safety, and social work; and bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, nursing, psychology, and public safety. These academic programs are designed to meet the needs of working adults, combining high quality, competency-based curricula with the convenience and flexibility of an online learning format. Currently, Capella University offers 44 graduate and undergraduate degree programs with 149 specializations. More than 36,000 learners were enrolled as of June 30, 2012. For more information about Capella Education Company, please visit http://www.capellaeducation.com. For more information about Capella University, please visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552).

Original post:
Medtronic and Capella Education Company Awarded for Best Use of Blended Learning