The Benefits and Disadvantages of Online Training Programs

Online training courses have become a standard resource for a number of students and professionals alike who are looking to further their career education. Of course, the same adaptability and flexibility of the Internet that makes it such a great resource for learning can also make things more complicated. There is such a thing as too much information, after all, and you have to make sure that your online training always has an intention in order to ensure that you’re only providing the information that your audience needs. Online training programs can be a great asset to many learning needs, but they might not work in every situation or if they aren’t set up correctly. Keep reading to learn more.

The Perks

Online training offers a huge list of perks and benefits. For starters, you’ll have access to a wider selection of courses and training programs, and so will your trainees. You can even create your own custom online training modules that provide them with the information and tools that they need and nothing else. The convenience and flexibility of these courses are definitely two of their biggest selling points.

When you allow people to train online, you are giving them a much more flexible format and a chance to access resources and information that they might not find otherwise. There are no boundaries or restrictions on the materials that you provide and the type of training that you can give when you choose to do it online. You can create unique training programs and custom solutions that are tailored to people’s needs. It’s really a win-win situation in a lot of ways, as long as you know what you are getting into.

The Drawbacks

Obviously, not all online training is created equal. Anyone can create content online and try to sell it as something it isn’t. Therefore, one of the biggest disadvantages of online training is the fact that you generally are limited to a certain number of schools or programs that provide legitimate resources. Since you can’t exactly filter a search for legitimate resources or local programs, it might be harder to find value-added training solutions that provide quality materials.

For a business owner or HR professional utilizing online training takes away from the physical engagement with employees during training, which can be a drawback for some. While online training is very resourceful, it isn’t always the best choice for every situation. Some people require a more hands-on approach or struggle with the isolation of e-learning because they learn better in a classroom setting. Ultimately, though, online training tends to be more advantageous than negative.

How to Avoid Common Online Training Mistakes

When it comes to success with online training, a lot of it depends on the individual and a good majority of it depends on the type of training that is implemented and the tools that are used. However, as long as you are creating a solid strategy that focuses on giving your trainees the resources that they need, it should be easy for you to avoid these frequent mishaps and ensure that everyone gets the best training possible.

Here are the biggest obstacles of online training, and how to avoid them:

• Too much information: The internet is a great resource because it connects people to a wealth of knowledge and insight. However, when you inundate people with too much information, it can be a bit overwhelming. Make sure that you step back and create a structure that gives your trainees bite-size pieces of the information that they need in a digestible format.
• Repeat and refresh: Too often, a training program will say something once and drop it. While this might not be a problem for some people, most learners do best with repetition, and in fact, repeating something three times is the best way to remember it. Don’t just parrot information, though. Find ways to do summaries and go back to the main points that are engaging and helpful.
• Too many bells and whistles: People are here for training, not for a show. If you focus on creating jazzy presentations and training materials that look better than they actually function, you’re not going to get very far. People need something that catches their attention, not something that steals it away.
• Not enough breaks: No one is going to learn anything from reading huge blocks of text without any breaks or interactive material. You can’t just give people a ton of material to read and expect them to learn. Try to create interactive, engaging training online so that people can get involved. If you get your trainees more involved, they will remember more and learn more along the way than if you just tell them to read some training manuals and call it a day.
• Not knowing what people need: One of the best ways that you can create the most effective online training programs is to ask around. Ask your trainees what they need. Ask clients, vendors, management, and anyone that you can what your online training course goals and initiatives should be. This can give you as much as 50% of your online training strategy and leave you a lot less to figure out on your own.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, the biggest issues with online training mistakes usually come from a simple lack of understanding and experience. With the right tools and knowledge, though, you can capitalize on online training courses for any need that you may have. If you want to make sure that your online courses are successful, or at least are living up to the goals that you have set forth, keep these things in mind.

If you start with a plan, it will be easier for you to create successful e-learning campaigns and online training courses, no matter what material you’re trying to teach. Just remember you’re creating training materials for the user, not yourself, so you should plan and implement everything with your trainees in mind at all times.