Learning online is different to learning in a classroom and here we discuss the relative benefits of learning online versus group discussion and more traditional methods of learning and training.
So what is learning online?
As soon as someone sits at a PC they are learning something. It might only be a trivial item like looking at a “You Tube” video or the time of the next bus into town, but they are learning.
Taking that to the next level, ask yourself, as a manager, what do you want your staff to learn or how will the learning benefit your business or the service you provide?
Clearly finding out that Paul is friends with Dave on MySpace is not very useful.
(Incidentally, how do you currently select people for classroom training, do you send everyone on the same course?… thought so)
Online learning means learners can navigate at a pace comfortable for them. No Pressure!
So no stopping to wait for slower learners to catch up or waiting while more advanced learners try to catch the trainer out…
Learning modules can be released at any interval to suit you or your learners. You can specify that a learner must study and complete Module X before moving onto Module Y for example. You can release content daily, weekly etc depending on progress of learners.
You really can get that level of control.
Everything on a computer is logged - that can help you.
Anytime you (or anybody) look at a website, they leave fingerprints behind. (When you shop online, have you ever wondered how stores can “remember” you?)
Taking that a stage further, if we can chose what website (courses) our staff look at and what pages they look at (the answers they give to tests etc) this can give us very powerful information.
But won’t this take away from my existing training?
No, it will add another string to your bow. Imagine, if you could say to staff,
“Please read this book and answer these few questions before the training session on the 21st of next month”
and you could actually test who had done that…
This tool gives tangible evidence for appraisal, disciplinary, health and safety & legal compliance etc while making your staff have accountability, all without you lifting a finger.
Do you need a special computer to learn online?
No, good e- learning & training should be able to be viewed over an ordinary computer
Does online learning include sound & video?
Almost anything you can do in a classroom, you can replicate online. Video, sound, pictures, anything.
So will online learning replace the classroom?
We don’t think so, but it can certainly be used as a valuable tool for trainers and managers. There are some things which are best learnt in the classroom. These include the so-called “soft skills” where discussion and debate are part of the learning process.
More technical skill areas and learning the theory of something can easily be transferred to online. (For instance, you aren’t going to learn how to present the news by completing our presentation skills course
- but you will learn important theories, relaxation techniques etc)
To try an online training course, we have prepared a special short course on meetings & time management. You can get free access, just by going to our free training course.
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