Since 2020 and the increase in people working remotely, there has been a significant increase in the popularity of online learning. With the flexibility and accessibility it offers, online training provides an excellent opportunity for both learners and employers to upskill. However, there are differences between traditional in person learning and online learning and so it is vital for learners and their employers to understand how to get the most out of online training in order to maximise the opportunity.
Set Clear Objectives
For Learners:
Before signing up to any course, it’s crucial for learners to understand what the objectives of the learning are. Are learners looking to gain a new skill, improve existing knowledge, or gain a qualification? Setting clear objectives helps learners to stay focused and motivated throughout the training. Having objectives also allows learners to measure their progress and see the impact and value of the training.
For Employers:
As an employer, you should ensure that the training undertaken by your employees fits in with your business goals. Whether it’s improving efficiency, preparing employees for new roles, or enhancing customer satisfaction, clear objectives will help you choose the right courses for your team. It also makes it easier to evaluate the return on investment of the training.
Choose the Right Course
For Learners:
Not all online training courses are the same despite many having the same or at least broadly similar courses titles. Some courses will offer comprehensive training with interactive content and tutor input, while others may be more basic. It is essential therefore that learners carry out their research to find the course which best suits their needs, their desired outcome and their learning style. Look for features like progress tracking, being able to complete the course flexibly, interactive elements, and if the course is accredited or not as these aspects can have an impact your overall learning experience. Reviews and testimonials from other learners can also provide valuable insights.
For Employers:
When helping employees to select a suitable training course it is important that employers balance the needs of the individuals with the needs of their organisation. Businesses often have overall staff development plans so that training is aligned with the organisational objectives. If the proposed course doesn’t align with those objectives then it needs to be changed. There may also be an allocated training budget to adhere to and if a course, particularly one that is ongoing, requires an employee to participate in learning during working hours then an employer needs to determine if that is possible and if necessary discuss how those arrangements will work with the employee so that everyone benefits.
Create a Structured Learning Environment
For Learners:
One of the biggest challenges of online learning is staying disciplined and motivated and the onus is predominantly on the learner to be self-directed with little or no external involvement from tutors or peer learners. To prevent this from being an issue it is important to create a structured learning environment. Learners can set aside specific times during the day or week dedicated to their training so that learning and progress take place regularly. The learning environment is also vital so learners should ensure that they have a quiet, comfortable space where they can concentrate. In essence online learning should be treated with the same seriousness as a classroom-based course.
For Employers:
Employers should encourage their employees to create a structured learning environment by facilitating dedicated times for training during working hours and if needed providing quiet spaces in the workplace for uninterrupted learning. If several employees are taking the same course then employers could create a group whereby employees can support each other in their learning journey. Line managers can also play an integral role as they can set up regular reviews with the employee to discuss the training, ensure that their learning is progressing and provide any support as may be needed. This adds a layer of accountability which can be missing when learning is purely online.
Apply The Learning
For Learners:
The real value of training lies in how learners apply what they’ve learned. Learners should try to integrate new skills and knowledge into their daily work tasks as soon as possible as research shows that cognitive skills decline with lack of use, essentially use the learning or lose the learning. If the course included practical exercises learners should make sure that they practice these exercises to hone their skills. Online courses often provide digital workbooks and tutorial videos so learners can refer to these resources as well when applying their learning.
For Employers:
Provide opportunities for your employees to apply their new skills in real-world scenarios. This could be through new projects, responsibilities, or even secondments. Recognising and rewarding the application of new skills can also motivate your team to continue their learning journey.
Evaluate and Reflect
For Learners:
After completing any course or learning, learners should take the time to reflect on what they’ve learned and what if any impact it has made? There may be further learning that naturally follows on and so it is important to plan next steps. With online learning it is also good practice for learners to complete course feedback and assess if that type of learning was beneficial for them.
For Employers:
Conduct a post-training evaluation to assess the impact on the learner and the organisation, if it is possible to assess a return on the training investment then that presents an effective method of evaluation. Did the online training meet your objectives and has it improved employee performance or satisfaction? Use this evaluation to refine your training strategy and make more informed decisions in the future about if and how online training can be used within your business. Employers may be able to buy off the shelf online learning packages which can then be made available to a wider staff group and this can represent a great way to increase learning in a cost effective way.
Online training is a powerful tool for both learners and employers and has revolutionised the world of learning. This type of training may not be suitable for everyone or every situation and so it is important to assess your options to get the most out of the training and help your business to develop and grow through acquiring and applying new knowledge and skills.
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Why not also check out our blog on a similar topic Does My Business Need A Training Matrix?
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