When I first started delivering training courses back in the early 1990’s the only technology available was flipchart, marker pens and the OHP (overhead projector). It was still a few years before presentation software would be widely used and the concept of ‘online learning’ was unknown as internet for the masses was in its infancy.
Today in the 21st century there are now many different methods for delivering training courses, each with their own upsides and downsides. Due to the miracle of the internet those seeking to learn new skills have a wide range of different methods to choose from.
Classroom Training
As the name suggests this is the traditional style of face-to-face training where a teacher delivers the training to a group of learners. This is still the style preferred by many training providers and customers.
Upsides:
Because the training is ‘live’, and the teacher is present students can ask questions directly and get a live response.
The training can be adapted quickly at the time to meet un-expected learning needs that may arise.
Students get to benefit from the experience of the trainer; all the good stuff that is never included in the course content.
Many people are very used to this style of training unlike some of the other ones below which might require them to use technology unfamiliar to them.
Downsides:
Classroom training can be expensive. The cost of paying for the trainer, the venue, travel and paying the students to be on the course.
There is sometimes teacher: student ratios applied to training meaning that you might have to pay for several courses to get all the staff you need trained.
Geographical location might limit whether classroom training is possible at all.
You have got to get everyone there for the course.
E-learning
E-learning is training that is delivered over the internet which the learner accesses through a web-enabled device. The courses are standardised modules and the same for all those that access the content. This form of training has been becoming more and more popular with the development of the internet.
Upsides:
E-learning is cheap. Most workplace e-learning courses are low-cost so they can be a great option if budget is an issue.
Easily scaled to the masses. Once an e-learning program has been developed it can be duplicated and infinite number of times and rolled out to large numbers of learners in an organisation.
The only cost is the time and money required to create the content.
E-learning is ideal for delivering updates on legislation and health and safety.
Downsides:
A lot of people that have been used to a regular diet of classroom training over their career hate it and see it as a money saving scheme by their organisation who doesn’t want to pay for a trainer to turn up.
It can be difficult to measure how much the student learnt and whether it was them that completed the course.
E-learning requires learners to access the internet. If they do not have access to the internet, they cannot complete the training. There are also technophobes that struggle with online technology.
Live Webinar
This is a much newer form of training that is slowly gaining traction in the world of learning and combines classroom training with online e-learning. Students log on to the class via webinar software and can have a live conversation with the teacher and the other students. The teacher can show any type of content that would be available on a classroom course.
Upsides:
Because the training is ‘live’, and the teacher is present students can ask questions directly and get a live response.
The training can be adapted quickly at the time to meet un-expected learning needs that may arise.
Students get to benefit from the experience of the trainer; all the good stuff that is never included in the course content.
Webinar training should be less expensive to purchase and deliver.
Downsides:
Webinar learning requires learners to access the internet. If they do not have access to the internet, they cannot complete the training. There are also technophobes that struggle with online technology.
If there is a major problem with the internet connection, then the training may not go ahead.
Learners still must ‘turn up’ at a specific time for the training course even if they don’t have to physically be there.
Not as easily scalable to the masses as e-learning
Whatever type of training you are considering for your organisation consider all the different types of training available so you can ensure that you get the best fit for your needs!
Mark Wigley
www.meducatetraining.co.uk
www.markwigley.online
www.mwonlinetraining.uk
