What is manual training?
Manual or offline training refers to the traditional methods used for training learners. Usually this model is a physical classroom environment with a teacher using textbooks, notepads and pens. Manual training can also incorporate offline, computer-based learning, such as Word Documents and PDFs that are shared as training materials.
What is online training?
Online training refers to modern methods of training learners using a centralized training platform (usually a Learning Management System, or LMS). LMSs can store traditional training materials like PDFs alongside modern materials like:
- Videos
- Audio recordings
- URL links
- Interactive eLearning courses
- And more.
From a centralized platform, managers can then enroll groups of learners and trainers to structure their training delivery, create learning pathways for guided training, and track data on the completion of training content. This includes analytics on how well their learners performed.
Learners can then access that platform online, allowing them to train anytime, anywhere. Online learning can also be used to support in-person learning, commonly known as ‘Blended Learning’ or ‘Flipped Learning’.
Consolidate and optimize resources
An LMS allows organizations to optimize their resources, specifically their trainers. More often than not, a trainer will train several groups at once, which involves repeating the same training over and over.
By consolidating this repetitive training into a singular eLearning resource, the amount of in-person training required will be reduced, which decreases the cost of training. The number of hours saved by moving training online can vary, but one study from the Hudson Institute found that online training reduces the average time spent training by 40%.
In some cases, an ‘all-in-one’ LMS will aid an organization attempting to consolidate and centralize their resources, and reduce time spent by trainers trying to create decentralized resources. All-in-one LMSs allow organizations to easily create content from within their LMS, saving time spent creating training as well as helping to consolidate training resources in a single location.
Better outcomes
In modern times, we all have busy schedules. Online training has direct benefits for both learners and facilitators too. eLearning offers flexibility—by training anytime, at any place, on any device, learners and facilitators can train and learn the way they want. Whether on their commute to work, their lunch break, or even whilst working out at the gym. This leads to an increase in productivity and effectiveness as learners can learn when it suits them.
A study from Troy University found that 57% of people believed they learned more through online learning, and almost 70% said they generally prefer online learning as opposed to traditional learning.
After all, happy learners = engaged learners and engaged learners = better training outcomes. What’s more valuable than that?
