Instructor-led trainings (ILT) have been around since the beginning of the training function. Before technology came and revolutionized the format of training, classroom sessions were the norm, supplemented by reading materials that participants went through as a prerequisite for the classroom sessions. Let’s look at a few unique features of ILTs.

Advantages of ILTs to the Learner

ILTs offer many powerful advantages and unique benefits to learners including the following:

• Face-to-face interactions with the instructor and real-time discussions are powerful ways to learn. Having an expert answer questions instantly and validate learners’ understanding of the subject are key aspects of ILTs.
• Receiving real-time feedback in the classroom also facilitates and reinforces learning.
• The instructor can adapt how he or she teaches based on the learners’ levels of understanding. Even the slowest of learners can be accommodated by an experienced instructor.
• Classroom training allows individual attention from the instructor; an individualized approach cannot be duplicated in online training.
• ILTs provide the opportunity for learners to make mistakes in a controlled environment.
• ILTs provide the all-important “human touch,” which is often missing in eLearning, unless it is synchronous eLearning.
• Group interactions enhance learning, with employees learning from one another as well as from the instructor. There is also a kind of learning that results through synergy, which is not possible through eLearning.
• ILTs help in learning kinesthetic skills – skills that need learning by doing. Imagine learning swimming or handling a piece of machinery through simulations alone!
• Motivation levels are likely to be higher, with less dropout rates. Many people also learn better in a face-to-face instruction session.

Despite technology changing the face of training forever, ILTs still continue to be one of the most popular mediums of training. Some of the benefits they offer are tremendous, and really, sometimes there is no substitute for ILTs when it comes to the sheer effectiveness for certain types of content covered through classroom trainings. Do you agree?

Related posts:

1. The Benefits of ILTs to the Trainer or Organization
2. The Limitations of Instructor Led Trainings
3. Why Choose Blended Learning Solutions?

The training industry, especially the e-learning industry has evolved from ILT, online courses, blended courses to rapid e-learning, audio/video and a range of instructional simulations and interactivities. Earlier, companies would convert manuals and instructor materials into slideshows for training purposes. Now, e-learning programs offer engaging, interactive and virtual experiences. A year or two ago, when recession affected industries, people focused on learning to retain their jobs.

Recent times have seen learning happen through social media tools. From YouTube to blogging, podcasts to micro-blogs, social news and bookmarking to wikis, social media tools have taken e-learning to another level.

The shift towards social learning is mainly because organizations have started recognizing the tremendous need to build, manage and formalize their social and collaborative learning programs.

Organizations are rethinking their training strategies and models to accommodate learning programs under ‘learning environments’ that offer collaborative learning and built in social media tools. According to Wikipedia, collaborative learning refers to various methodologies and environments where learners engage and actively interact to learn or attempt to learn something together.

A collaborative learning environment in an organization enables learners to converse with contemporaries, present as well as defend ideas and perspectives, exchange diverse beliefs, question other conceptual frameworks and get actively engaged. Learning in a collaborative environment can take place at any time. It can happen when individuals are in discussion in a group or over the Internet.

Some organizations may offer ILT training on a need basis, but over 70% of learning happens while reading, watching and listening or simply by talking with one another.

There are many new tools and platforms similar to LMS to manage, track and facilitate people to learn and work together. It’s a matter of time when collaborative learning will happen on the move through mobile phones, Blackberry phones and related mobile devices.

While Google has Google Wave, Microsoft’ SharePoint and Live Services, Adobe’s Connect, a few companies such as Saba, Plateau and Taleo are creating new tools and platforms to facilitate communication and knowledge-sharing.

What are your thoughts on Collaborative Learning? Will organizations be able to create learning environments to enhance informal and collaborative learning? Please comment and share your knowledge.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Related posts:

1. Collaborative Learning in Academic and Corporate Environments!
2. How to market social media as a learning tool?
3. Learning Predictions – 2010