Benefits And Limitations Of Web Conferencing For Synchronous Learning

Benefits And Limitations Of Web Conferencing For Synchronous Learning
Summary: A Learning Management System can strengthen web-based training with social tools that ensure the learning doesn't stop when the webinar is over. Here are the benefits (and some limitations) of web conferencing for synchronous learning.

How A Learning Management System With Web Conferencing Integrations Can Help Web Conferencing For Synchronous Learning

What are the benefits and limitations of web conferencing for synchronous learning? And how a Learning Management System can help?

Synchronous learning refers to any learning environment in which a group of learners are engaged at the same time. You’ve probably done synchronous learning in a live instructor-led classroom setting in the past. Synchronous learning can be an effective but costly endeavor. You may have to rent a location space for a large crowd of learners. Expert speakers may need to be flown in from across the globe. Expenses can mount up quickly.

Luckily, there is a far cheaper option for synchronous learning that also provides many advantages over classroom-based environments. You can connect countless learners to Subject Matter Experts from around the globe at a comparatively lower cost. The solution of course is web conferencing.

Using web conferencing for synchronous learning provides experts and knowledge seekers a cheaper and effective opportunity to connect online. Many corporate Learning Management Systems, such as Docebo, offer integrations with web conferencing tools so learners can access online seminars right from their online training platform. Let’s take a look at the benefits of using web conferencing for synchronous learning, and how a Learning Management System can help inspire a larger group of people more effectively.

4 Benefits Of Web Conferencing For Synchronous Learning

1. Learning Management System Integration Reinforces Conference Training. 

Many Learning Management Systems offer integrations with web conferencing tools. As part of the recent version update, Docebo added BlueJeans and Zoom.us integrations to the large list of previous web conferencing integrations. Web conferencing material (like slide decks or recordings) can be reused by uploading events to the Learning Management System to ensure the valuable training isn’t a one time learning opportunity.

Users can employ tools within a Learning Management System to reinforce web conferencing training. Attendees could use social post boards to ask questions and open discussion amongst peers. With Learning Management System integration, learning doesn’t have to stop when the conference is over.

2. Expert Knowledge At Bargain Prices. 

As we mentioned above, web conferencing is a far cheaper solution for synchronous learning than classroom based instructor-led training (ILT). The distance between your employees and the experts doesn’t matter when you can connect via video discussion with web conferencing. You can even connect with multiple instructors around the globe at the same time and create a panel of experts for your training session.

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3. Built-In Social Tools For Easy Collaboration. 

Most web conferencing tools offer ways for participants to communicate with each other. Learners can use built-in systems to ask questions during the sessions. The instructor can then choose to answer questions immediately during the session or later in a social channel within a Learning Management System.

These built-in social learning tools also offer advantages to less socially inclined learners as well: Not everyone is comfortable asking a question in a live classroom setting. Web conferencing allows the introverts at your organization to ask questions without the often misplaced fear of looking unprepared.

4. Easily Adaptable For Any Need. 

Web conferencing gives learners flexible support solutions. They can connect with experts on their own schedule for a more personal approach. Learners can easily create a study session with a web conferencing tool to help reinforce the training from a main event.

For the administrators, web conferencing can easily adapt to any need. A conference can go from 10-100 attendees at no real added cost. Maybe your organization needs to address a quick problem. Events can be scheduled at a moment’s notice whenever necessary.

Limitations Of Web Conferencing

Although web conferencing can be far easier than ILT in typical classroom environments, it does present a specific set of limitations.

All attendees need a good internet connection. This can present problems in less technologically advanced markets. You must also take into consideration the differences in time zones between instructors and attendees. Use a calendar within the Learning Management System to ensure attendees know when web conferencing sessions will happen, and schedule multiple sessions for different audiences.

Web conferencing tools also have varied pricing structures and limitations that need to be considered. Some have limitations on the number of attendees. Some allow documents to be easily shared among attendees. Others provide greater social learning capabilities. You need to ensure the tool integrates with your Learning Management System, can fit your needs, and expand if necessary.

Web conferencing tools are a powerful, if not financially sound way to train your employees. An enterprise Learning Management System with web conferencing integrations can reinforce training by allowing learners to continue the conversation after an event. Docebo continues to grow our list of web conferencing integrations to simplify and empower your learning. Try out one of these partnerships for yourself: Start a free 14-day trial and get started in minutes.

Originally published on July 12, 2016