Learn Why L&D Leaders Need To Prepare For Online Learning
Everyone is talking and trying to guess what the “new normal” will be for all things in life—from travel to professional sporting events; from concerts to the arts; and, from school to office re-entry plans. As we look at the new normal for training and development, there are many predictions. One prediction is that companies are going to transition away from Instructor-Led Training to eLearning and virtual training.
Transitioning From ILT To VILT
Historically, companies have cited the following reasons for making the transition from Instructor-Led Training:
- Costs less
Online is generally less expensive due to less time away from work and no travel costs. - Consistency
Online provides a more consistent learning experience; everyone gets the same message. Instructors have different communication styles and can interpret or present materials in different ways. - Shorter training time
Typically, the seat time of an online program is less than half (or one-third) of an Instructor-Led Training program. A Brandon Hall study concluded that eLearning takes 40-60% less time to complete than traditional classroom training. This means that the learner can achieve the same learning outcomes in much less time. - Learner centric
The eLearning approach is learner-centric and provides learners with control, enabling them to go through the training at their own pace. Also, they can refer to the training if needed. - Flexibility
eLearning provides anytime, anywhere access to training. Additionally, it gives learners a choice to select the device on which they want to learn. - Learning retention
According to a study by the Research Institute of America, the learning retention rate is in the range of 25-60% for eLearning, whereas it is 8-10% for face-to-face training. - Review
When training is offered online, the learner can “on-demand” review the training. For instance, the learner needs to do a coaching session. The learner can review the steps to a great coaching session, gather their thoughts by re-watching the course, and do a better job meeting with the employee.
All of the reasons just provided are augmented with 3 new reasons to convert from Instructor-Led Training to online learning.
- Learning consumption
According to several different sources, online courseware usage is up 2.5 to 3 times compared to pre-pandemic rates. People are using their furloughs or work-from-home situations to develop themselves. Learners are actively upskilling and using their employers’ online libraries to upskill and educate themselves. Additionally, companies are having employees complete their required compliance training during this time. - Work-from-home
Analysts are forecasting that post-pandemic there will be an increase in people working from home. The prediction is that 25 – 30% of people will remain working from home. - Social distancing
As people return back to work, people still need to social distance. This means that in-person, Instructor-Led workshops will need to have fewer people per class. Further, organizations will have to deliver more workshops to train the same number of people. This is very costly.
In addition, many L&D leaders are saying their budgets are cut, and there is a concern that in the short term, budgets may not fully bounce back. As we pointed out earlier, online training is less expensive, so this may be one of the catalysts for converting to eLearning now.
According to a Forbes article published in May 2020, one author makes a very strong prediction: “Education and training that can be done online will be done online, always, from this point forward.” This is a solid statement! If training can be done online, it will be. This means L&D leaders need to prepare now for online learning!
Prepare For L&D's New Normal: 6 Steps To Follow
So, what do L&D leaders need to do now to prepare for L&D’s new normal? There are 6 things:
1. Convert your IL To Online
This is a bigger task than merely recording your trainer as they talk through their slides. How boring?! There are many papers to read, podcasts to listen to, videos to watch, or eLearning courses to take to arm yourself with the information you need to convert your ILT to engaging, effective eLearning courses. You will want to include different modalities, videos, interactions, ways to display learning content, job-aids, infographics, and quizzes. Consider converting training into numerous short, microlearning courses.
2. Build Or Buy?
Determine which topics you can buy courses for and the topics where you may need to build courses. Experts advise that you buy courses for general topics, such as leadership and management development, employee business skills, Microsoft training, safety, and compliance topics. Topics that are specific to the company, such as product knowledge and standard operating procedures, need to be developed internally.
3. Make Sure You Have The Best Online Courses Available
When choosing an off-the-shelf eLearning courseware provider, use this checklist:
- Courses are less than two years old and the vendor is committed to updating the courses at least every two years
- Mobile responsive
- Award-winning
- Microlearning
- Courses that engage the learners with videos, job-aids, interactivities, knowledge checks and quizzes
- 508 compliant
4. Map ILT To Online Courses
You need to take the learning objectives of your Instructor-Led workshops and match those to the learning objectives of your eLearning courses. This will ensure that you are in fact providing the same learning as you did with classroom training. Oftentimes, your off-the-shelf eLearning courseware vendor can map their courses to your IL workshop learning objectives for you.
5. Collaboration Tools
Learners may miss the collaboration and learning from their peers’ questions and comments. Minimize this loss by using the discussion forums offered on your LMS or other collaboration tools. Encourage discussions by posing questions, adding comments, and commenting on other learners’ posts.
6. Skill Your Workers To Work Remotely
For those that will remain working from home, provide them the training they need to continue to be successful working from home. Ensure this training includes the organization’s expectations of staying informed and staying connected to the company and team members
Prepare now to convert your training to online learning and be prepared for L&D’s new normal!