Facing problems with classroom training? Learn how to overcome 5 common challenges with the help of online training in our blog.
Online training has quickly risen to the top in providing solutions to a wide range of corporate training requirements. It has proven to be a great source of learning for learners, providing greater access and enabling continuous learning.
The adoption of online training over classroom training is quite beneficial. Online training formats such as eLearning, microlearning, and virtual instructor-led training are becoming increasingly popular within organizations.
Here are some common issues encountered in classroom training and how online training can help solve them.
1. Inaccessible on demand
When conducting traditional classroom training, organizations should prepare ahead of time by a few weeks. Each time a group of learners needs a training course, careful planning is required. This entails finding an instructor and a location for training, which can be costly and time-consuming.
Technology-enabled online training has resulted in a massive transition in a corporate learning culture. Online training has been proven to be both cost-effective and time efficient. With online training, a large number of employees can access training at their convenient time even at short notice. For instance, eLearning courses are a one-time expenditure. They can be accessed by any number of employees, anytime, anywhere at their own convenience after being hosted on Learning Management System (LMS).
2. Long Training Durations
Conventional classroom trainings are typically long and tedious because there is a lot of content to be delivered, which obviously takes time. As a result, these trainings can last days or even months. In spite of all of this and the best efforts of the instructor in imparting knowledge, it is difficult for learners to retain all knowledge.
Instead of delivering a humongous volume of information to the employee all at once, online training is divided into various levels and coherent bits. The delivery of core concepts can be done in a variety of formats, such as Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT), microlearning, and eLearning, which improves the learning process and increases learner engagement.
VILT sessions can be used to deliver core need-to-know content and nice-to-know content can be presented in the form of eLearning. Microlearning formats like Quizzes and flashcards can be used to evaluate learners’ current knowledge and to recapitulate knowledge. These formats are comparatively of less time duration and facilitate knowledge retention.
3. Rigid Timelines
Classroom training adheres to a strict time schedule. The instructor has time constraints and covers set learning objectives. It can be difficult to learn everything at once without taking a break or pausing, especially when there is much content to deliver.
Accessing the training course whenever needed and self-paced learning becomes a real experience with online training and counters the problem of rigid timelines. If learners find it difficult to absorb a lot of information at once, they can pause and resume the online training course at their convenience. Infographics, bite-sized videos, and eBooks can all be effective for flexible learning because learners can access them from any device at any moment. The learner is the ultimate decider in online training because he or she has the ability to make choices during the learning experience.<
4. Poor Performance Support
Traditional classroom training frequently lacks or has poor performance support. This is because classroom trainings do not provide continuous learning. Moreover, in a classroom training, for performance support tools to meet the learner’s just-in-time workplace requirements can be difficult and delayed.
Online training formats like microlearning
modules are ideal for providing performance support because of their mobile compatibility, compact size, and ease of access. Microlearning modules are great performance support tools as they are focused on a single learning objective. They are convenient to consume when required. This aids in task management, empowering learners and time saving.
Discover how mobile learning can aid performance support.
5. Learning in Diverse Geographical Regions
Delivering training to employees across the world, especially in multiple languages can be a challenging task. If training is to be delivered in the native language, native instructors should be hired.
Furthermore, a large number of instructors would be required if there is a huge number of employees. This could result in unnecessary hassle and inconsistent content delivery.
In such situations, online training can come in handy. For instance, eLearning courses can be translated into multiple languages, facilitating multilingual online training. This aids in blending with cultural diversity as well as combating language barriers. Furthermore, online training assists organizations in meeting the training needs of their globally dispersed workforce. For example, VILT is a training method in which the learner and instructor meet together at the same platform- online via videoconferencing tools to ensure that the content delivered is the same and consistent for everyone, despite their geographical separation.
We’ve spoken about how online training can alleviate some of the issues with traditional classroom training, but will this be helpful going forward? To learn more about the long-term advantages of online training, watch this video.
Wrapping it Up!
It is an established fact that using online learning solutions for employee training is highly beneficial for corporate organizations. Investing time and money in online training is a wise decision because it allows organizations to enhance the training process.
Do you want to adapt training to the digital environment? And looking for ways to enhance your virtual training and boost learner engagement? Access our webinar recording to learn how to conduct a successful virtual training session.
