Blended Learning: Getting the Best from Instructor-Led Training and E-Learning

With technological advancement, the need for training, as well as the options to deliver training courses, has increased. Whenever a new technology emerges, the trainers speculate whether e-learning can prove to be more effective than traditional instructor-led training (ILT). On one hand, classroom-based training is more formal and takes place in front of the learners; while on the other hand, online training can be taken anytime and from anywhere using a mobile device.

Instructor-led training (ILT) is more interactive in comparison to e-learning. It enables organizations to provide a hands-on learning experience directly to learners. Over the last few years, various e-learning platforms have joined the traditional classroom-based training systems. With the use of technology, online learning is able to deliver e-courseware for learners to finish at their own pace.

Decide if ILT is the Right Choice

When learners attend a classroom-based training session, they are more focused on what is taught. ILT is fruitful in companies where senior executives always need to communicate something specific to employees. There is always some added value while choosing traditional training over e-learning training methods. Here are a few advantages of ILT:

• Face-to- face interactions with the instructor make learning easier.
• Real-time feedback from the trainer facilitates learning.
• Motivation levels tend to increase, while dropout rates drop.
• Learners can clear their doubts, and instructors can explain concepts with real-life-based examples.
• Group interactions enable learners to learn from each other as well as the trainer.
• The performance of learners can be assessed easily by using analytical tools and questionnaires.

Despite the several benefits, there are many challenges associated with classroom-led training. Some of them are given below:

• It is expensive because there are costs associated with infrastructure, travel, and trainers.
• It is time-consuming because employees have to take out time from their working hours, which affects productivity at the workplace.
• There is an inconsistent learning experience because classes and teachers might change every time.
• It cannot be rolled out to learners at different locations at the same time.
• If learners miss the session, rescheduling is not possible most of the time.

Understand Why Blended Learning Is a Better Approach

With the combination of ILT and technology-aided e-learning, learners can improve their learning skills to attain success at the workplace. Instructor-based online learning gives a live learning experience with the convenience of online courses. Blended learning helps the trainees leverage their overall training experience. It also ensures that the learners are engaged during the training sessions and drive their own learning experience. By incorporating different teaching models, this approach caters to the individual needs of the learners.

Unravel the Benefits of E-Learning

Over time, e-learning has become very popular among organizations. Online learning training programs can be delivered to a large number of learners from all over. It is a self-paced training method where the learners can take a training program per their comfort. To make learning more interactive, e-courseware also includes interactive media, gamified learning, simulations, mobile learning, and more. Many organizations are adopting e-learning strategies to train their staff because of the following advantages:

• E-learning saves travel, time, and development costs.
• Learners can attend training sessions anytime and anywhere.
• Learners receive regular training material, and trainers assess their performance.
• With e-learning, less paperwork is done. Because learners can access training material from anywhere, it reduces the carbon footprint.
• Learners are not confined to attend every learning module. They can learn at their own pace and save time.

ILT encompasses the ease to deliver different styles of learning, while e-learning is a more flexible approach. Technology is expanding and so are the needs of learners from different industrial domains. This has resulted in making blended learning the optimum learning approach for most organizations. As more and more companies are striving to cater to multiple training needs, it might be possible that customized blended learning training will become the future for the corporate world.