The merits of online training

Training is one of the most effective means of developing the skills and abilities of the people being mentored, regardless of whether they are employees, students or anything in between. However, there are several issues associated with traditional training programs – for example, seminars can only be held so often, and there are set financial and operational costs for launching training initiatives.

This has led to many companies considering online training options. Online training programs are extremely scalable and cost-efficient without losing any of the value they provide to businesses. Web-based learning initiatives are easy to produce and deliver, with companies able to create (or purchase) well-crafted educational programs for little money.

There are also few constraints compared with more traditional training efforts – employees can access online sessions regardless of where they are geographically located, there are no space limitations as there might be when holding an in-person event and materials can be disseminated at any time without the need to dedicate a specific timeslot to programs. This means they can participate in training sessions from home or work without having to go to specific facilities to attend sessions.

Online training has been around virtually since the dawn of the internet, but as time progresses and technology improves, it's becoming a much more popular option. Faster connection speeds mean higher quality videos can be used and materials can be downloaded at a faster rate. Additionally, the cloud is a great place to store training tools that can be accessed from anywhere at any time, provided the participant has a web connection.

Traditional versus online

When companies are considering online training, the first questions that come to mind are frequently: Why would I opt for web programs over traditional in-classroom ones and what are the benefits of going this route?

While many of the studies that pertain to this matter compare online training in educational systems rather than the workplace, there may be some parallels. First, the U.S. Department of Education found that students studying in an online environment were less distracted and tended to outperform those studying in a traditional setting.

Moreover, older learners tended to benefit the most from online training sessions, compared to traditional K-12 students. This could apply to people being trained for their jobs as well, suggesting that online programs are not only productive, they may even be better than traditional educational environments in terms of knowledge retention.

Given the cost-conscious mindset of companies nowadays, online training just makes sense. It's easier to do and less expensive than face-to-face delivery. The only potential reason to opt for in-person training sessions would be if they led to radically different results than online delivery methods, but as studies have shown, this isn't the case.

That isn't to say companies should exclusively use online training, but it can be leveraged to complement the existing educational regimen.

“Another lesson is that the best outcomes may come from a combination of both approaches, perhaps directing more online instruction to those who are more able or more motivated to learn on their own,” Human Resource Executive Online adds.

What to look for in online training

So, what should companies look for in online training sessions? Whether they are designing their own or hiring a third- party to assist with their educational efforts, it's key to utilize training programs that make use of a variety of media.

No one learns the same way. A quiz may be an effective way of ensuring one employee retains knowledge, but for another, web videos may be more effective. A well-designed training program should make use of a variety of media to ensure everyone's personal learning needs are covered.

The internet is particularly well-suited for this approach. There is no limit to the types of content that can be delivered online. Face-to-face training can be utilized through webcams, seminars can be videotaped and distributed via channels such as YouTube, and interactive activities and quizzes can be created online. Additionally, posters and graphics can be downloaded, printed and mounted throughout the workplace while text-based materials can easily be uploaded and shared via the cloud.

When trying to teach new concepts – particularly complex ones such as Lean – engagement is absolutely crucial. Online training is useful because of the different types of media that can be used to teach trainees. In that regard, effective online training programs are even more helpful than the traditional classroom setting because they engage participants in a number of ways.

Another perk of online training programs is that they are modular in nature, which means trainees can go at their own pace as they learn new processes and procedures. This is useful for longer training courses, or for ensuring people only go through the modules relevant to their jobs.

Companies must remember the strengths of the internet as a communication channel and leverage these to their maximum as they develop their training initiatives. The web is a powerful tool, and by utilizing it to educate and better your employees, you will be providing value to them and the company as a whole.