Challenges Of Offline Learning: How Offline Learning Became Training’s Unsung Hero
The fast pace of business and elimination of time and distance barriers have also contributed to the success of digital learning solutions – easy reach and easy accessibility, anytime and anywhere. But the rapid growth of this creative disruptor has exposed some of its potential pitfalls too – for instance, the need for good internet connectivity, the need for content security, and the ability to easily update content in real time.
In the US, only 55% of people living in rural areas have access to speeds that qualify as broadband, compared to 94% of the urban population [1]. The UK fares better, and is one of the world’s top-ranked markets for internet penetration [2]. More than 80% of the UK population is online regularly. Yet globally, more than half of the world’s population lacks access to the internet, and the growth of usage in developed nations is slowing, according to a UN report [3].
So with their existing technology for offline learning, organizations are experiencing challenges in these key areas:
- The ability to provide training materials to learners on mobile devices that are online as well as offline, with data being tracked in both cases.
- A way to control content access to specific sets of learners and the ability to track completion of assigned courses.
- A way to add new content as it becomes available.
The Need For Employee Accessibility
Global time zones offer 24-hour collaboration with worldwide teams. These workers expect to access information whenever they need it, on whatever device is at hand. With teams operating across the world, across different countries and with varying levels of connectivity, how can our new disruptors change the game and provide for these needs?
Whether learners are working on a construction site or at a customer’s office, the organization must make sure they have the support and training they need. Let’s explore the challenges and solutions of offline learning in this world of creative disruption.
What Do We Mean By Offline Learning?
What exactly is the difference between online and offline learning? The term “online learning” has specific meaning in regard to computer technology and means learning programs that are connected to the internet.
The term “offline learning” indicates a disconnected state, where learners use portable devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets for learning purposes but without being connected to the internet.
This is typically done using an app, which tracks learner activity. On-premise classrooms and other forms of face-to-face training have also been considered offline training.
How Offline Learning With xAPI Analytics Benefits Trainers And Remote Learners
The lack of network connectivity in many areas makes it difficult for remote learners to gain access to course content. Offline eLearning—allowing content to be set up ahead of time when access to internet connection is available— then becomes the solution for those who don’t have an internet connection at home or while traveling, who work in far-off rural areas, or in parts of the globe where connections are few and far-between.
Offline learning with xAPI analytics brings 3 big advantages to any organization’s trainers and remote learners:
1. Access To Content For Disconnected Learners
Being disconnected doesn’t mean learning stops. In fact, for many workers offline learning is their ‘new normal’. While many people who live and work in urban, technology-enabled areas are almost always connected to the internet, not all learners experience the same scenario.
Sales reps, for example, are often on the road, sometimes in locations without stable wi-fi or internet connections. Likewise, remote workers such as oil rig technicians whose professions see them working in far-flung corners of the globe, rely on offline learning content to continue their training. Even urban workers who commute extensively on trains and planes may have prolonged periods of no internet, periods which are actually perfect for learning as there are usually less distractions.
Any provider that can give learners access to training programs while offline (as well as online, of course) could potentially be invaluable.
2. Dynamic Content Updates On Reconnection
With ‘push’ notifications, users can always have access to the latest training and sales information. An icon on the app lets users know when there’s new content available and to update their courses.
3. Good Offline Learning Provides Full Tracking
With a good offline learning tool, like the gomo central native app, organizations can track user activity and assessment scores, even when learners are disconnected. When the learner comes back online, the activity is then uploaded and the organization can see the user’s engagement with the learning content.
References:
- Technology Is Improving, So Why Is Rural Broadband Access Still a Problem? US New & World Report, June 9, 2016
- UK Digital Users: The eMarketer Forecast for 2017, eMarketer, February 22, 2017
- More Than Half the World Still Without Internet Access, Newsweek, Sep 21, 2015
