eLearning is quickly rising in popularity and it is a preferred method by many trainees. Still, it is not suitable for all trainings. Here’s how to find out if eLearining is for you.
eLearning definitely has its benefits. Among them is the ease of use, availability of content on many devices at all times and etc. It is a great way to provide additional content and information to the trainees and it is often used as an add-on to classic trainings.
But eLearning can also has its limitations. It may not be the best choice for all types of content for one. Some information is better shown in person and the exercises are best done in person or even in groups. So there are a few reasons you should carefully consider when deciding on what format should your next training be in.
The first reason is quite obvious – the cost. Generally eLearining trainings can be a little cheaper than traditional on-site trainings. That’s not always the case though, especially if it is a training with lots of multimedia or if it is custom made for your needs. The point is, shop around and consider the options you have and how they stack up to your needs and goals. The Coursedot marketplace is an easy way to check out the prices for various trainings.
Next – timing. Trainings are not something to be done in a hurry. There should be enough time to prepare everything to get the most out of them. This includes eLearning platforms and virtual courses as well. Even so, they generally can have shorter delivery time, especially if they are using ready-made modules and recordings. If yo need to quickly lay the foundation of a new team with some basic training, this may be a good approach.
Third – goals. As we mentioned above, there are different goals you may want to achieve. eLearning would work better for more basic trainings. For example, if you have an internal company specific software platform and you are upgrading it with new features, some eLearning trainings, videos and tips could work great. They would have to be custom made, but they can then be stored and available at all times and used even for new employees. It would also allow current employees to refresh their memories from time to time. It is a better solution than a single in-class training.
Fourth – accessibility. Different people have different preferences when it comes to learning methods. Some would prefer an in-class session. Others like to set the pace themselves. Then there are others who want to be able to refresh their memories or access additional information. eLearning solutions can be a possible bridge between the various needs of trainees. It can be an additional layer of content and interaction, making sure the knowledge is not only given, but it actually “sticks” and is remembered and used by the trainees.
If you are not sure what type of training you need you can always ask the vendor or your training provider. Or our team. They will be happy to give you advice and help you out.
Image credit: Flickr (CC) / Michael Coghlan