Your course material is vital for employee training. However, the way that this material is delivered is equally as important.

Learning methods are delivered in multiple ways. These methods are delivered in training manuals, infographics, podcasts, videos, and several other mediums.

Regardless of how you choose to deliver these learning methods, there’s one important element. You must speak the language of your employees to create the highest levels of engagement.

If you’re thinking about making changes to your training package, the best place to start is with your learning delivery methods. This article highlights the most efficient ways to deliver this material.

Top Learning Delivery Methods for Your Organization

What is Learning Delivery?

Learning delivery is defined as the way you communicate knowledge to your learners. In the case of the corporate world, this is how you convey training material to your employees.

The fact that there are multiple options for learning delivery implies that you should use various resources to communicate this material. Different team members learn in different ways, so mixing up your material will ensure that everyone has a chance to engage with the material that works best for them.

Face-to-Face Training

This may be an antique way of delivering learning materials, but it’s still incredibly effective. Face-to-face training is the learning environment that we all first experienced. We meet a teacher or instructor and learn directly from that person.

In the corporate world, this type of training comes in the form of mentoring, coaching, and hands-on workshops. These all have two things in common – they’re led by instructors, and they require all participants to be physically present.

What are the benefits of face-to-face training?

  • It’s intensive and great for training a small group of people within a small time frame.
  • It has the human element. Trainers are able to recognize the needs of individuals and help unlock potential. They understand the mood of the group and how to manage it.
  • Role modeling is another significant benefit. Trainers are able to take on the form of mentors and show team members how to perform different actions. This makes employees look up to them.

What are the pitfalls of face-to-face training?

  • It’s not scalable. This type of training has capacity restraints, so it can’t reach everyone in your organization. You can’t expect every instructor to use the same style, so replicating your most effective teachers is nearly impossible.
  • It’s also subjective. Training depends on the personality of the instructor. The same trainer may also perform differently on different days depending on their mood and circumstances. This makes it difficult to create a uniform learning environment.
  • It is also very costly. You have to factor in trainer salaries, handouts, classroom rental, and travel expenses.

Virtual Classrooms

A virtual classroom or instructor-led training allows you and your employees to meet online in a video call session. Trainers will share interactive learning activities with learners, actively participating in the training process.

You can demonstrate a presentation to your team members, then split them into separate rooms for a group task. Finally, you can come back together and discuss the results. Learners are able to join the classroom regardless of their location and participate collaboratively.

What are the benefits of virtual classrooms?

  • The approach is familiar. Most corporate employees are used to video conferences, so your team members won’t have to adapt to that element.
  • There’s a feedback loop. You’re able to see how learners are performing in real-time. You can ask their opinions, discuss ideas, and answer their questions, just like in a classroom setting. This means you can correct their mistakes efficiently and keep them motivated.
  • There’s a huge sense of community. You’re able to share the same experiences and meet at the same times to collaborate. This gives your team members a connection to one another.

What are the pitfalls of virtual classrooms?

  • Problems with technology may affect the virtual classroom. The internet connection may be unstable. Cameras and speakers may also glitch, and a number of other problems may persist. You’ll need to be prepared for the unexpected. Prepare for technical instructions for learners and yourself. Or find a tech assistant to maintain your sessions. Software providers may also provide tech support.
  • There may be communication gaps. Learners and instructors can hear and see one another; technical issues and lack of physical meetups may cause a loss of context. Some people say it’s like teaching in a void. It takes more of an effort to hold everyone’s attention.
  • There are also distractions at home. Things happen when you learn from the house. Most people don’t have a designated room in their home for learning. This means they are easily distracted by pets, kids, job tasks, smartphones, and other things. Different time zones can also affect the quality of the training.

eLearning

eLearning, or LMS, refers to using digital services and content for training purposes. The most common types of this form of learning include slide-based courses, quizzes, video content, tutorials, screencasts, simulations, and e-books. Learners can access this material on their laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Currently, eLearning is one of the more common delivery methods in the corporate world.

What are the benefits of eLearning?

  • It’s very accessible. Learners are able to take courses or watch videos. There are no barriers, so it’s helpful for remote teams.
  • It’s also self-paced. Students decide on the pace of their learning and the amount of material they’d like to cover during each session.
  • There are also tracking options that allow you to analyze employee progress. Scores, time spent on courses, attempts, and other metrics are tracked on these platforms.

What are the pitfalls of eLearning?

  • It’s technically demanding. Team members that aren’t tech-savvy may have a hard time adapting to this type of learning.
  • It also requires specific software. You’ll need authoring software to create courses and quizzes, plus an LMS to deliver the training.

You need to have a firm understanding of your team if you want to change your delivery methods. Understanding how different members digest material is important when deciding on the ways you want to deliver your training material. However, once this is understood, your training methods start to become much more effective. Contact us today for a free consultation!