Four Reasons to Use Online Learning
The need for training your employees will never disappear; however, the means of training delivery has taken a turn. In the past decade, the use of online learning (eLearning) has soared. Companies are implementing eLearning and reaping extensive benefits. Because traditional, instructor-led training is more familiar, some companies have been hesitant to venture into the online delivery arena; but the benefits of online learning are quite noteworthy. While instructor-led training is still valuable, eLearning may prove more advantageous for you and your company.
Consider these reasons for online learning:
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Flexibility
Time is valuable. Few people can afford to dedicate an entire day to a training course. With this in mind, online learning is available any time, in any place. Because the courses tend vary from 5-30 minutes in length, employees do not have to complete all learning at once. Moreover, modules divide eLearning courses. Consequently, employees can complete modules when and where it works best according to their schedules and priorities.
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Economical
For delivery of each instructor-led training course, you must secure and pay an instructor, reserve a venue, purchase materials, and provide refreshments. Maintaining consistent, effectual training using an on-site instructor incurs repetitive cost for these necessary components each time you provide a course. However, in the case of online learning, the company purchases the customized course once – constituting a one-time cost. Delivery of the course is repeatable, as many times as desired, to as many audiences as needed, for no reoccurring cost.
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Consistent
Even if the same instructor delivers a course, he or she will inherently alter word-for-word likeness if giving the course more than once. However, by pre-recording eLearning, message delivery and concept explanation are identical every time. This invaluably ensures each employee who participates in the online learning receives the same instruction.
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Retention
ELearning delivery is auditory, visual, and interactive – intentionally inclusive of the three learning styles – to reinforce focus for the duration of the training. In addition, each online module increases knowledge retention through purposeful time calculation. With instructor-led learning, each student has access to the course only once; and the course period limits teaching time. Conversely, learners can access and review online learning as many times as needed to master the content.
Wrap Up
Online learning provides an efficient and productive way to train all new hires in NEO. Traditional instructor-led training, certainly beneficial in certain areas of new-hire orientation, does require training an instructor who then must take time to train others at a specific time and day. With eLearning, orientation modules alleviate removing people from their jobs for extended periods of time to conduct training.
When evaluating providers of online learning development, remember that a good partner should encourage an Iterative Development Phase between you and the creators. This ensures each course message precisely upholds your goals and course objectives. From the initial Discovery and Analysis meeting, to storyboard development, through final production, creators should remain carefully aligned with you.
Instructor-led training ultimately relies on the instructor’s ability to effectively transfer his or her knowledge while communicating your message. Instructors prepare in advance, but it is difficult to refine real-time training once delivered. Conversely, online learning provides greater control over the messaging and ensures that each topic precisely delivers what you envision.