1 Introduction
As the old proverb, it’s never too late to learn, nowadays with the incredible speed of the development of science and technology, it seems that studying will never be stopped. And this situation does not only occur on individuals, companies need to follow up the wave of improvements to deal with the complex and dynamic business environment as well. This environment not only include the development of technology, but also the increasing of globalization, changeable society conditions and improvements of ways to dissemination of information. To make sure the companies won’t be influenced by bad, and are able to deal with challenges calmly and remain profitable, having a knowledgeable, experienced and skilled working team is the critical factor. So it is unavoidable for companies to help employees to learn the required skills, techniques and knowledge to adapt to the environment. And therefore, the Corporate Training becomes essential for companies and needs to be put more attention on.
In fact, most of the companies have already carried out corporate training and gained some experience. But traditional corporate training still has its own inherent limitations. Since online study is improving rapidly, and also a large amount of online learners occurs, online learning has aroused the attention of training departments of companies and the idea of online corporate training has been put forward and gradually put into practice.
In this article, I am going to introduce what is online corporate training, and the advantages of online corporate training over traditional corporate training.
2 What is Online Corporate Training
To define online corporate training, I need to first introduce three of the technologies and terms in use, which are CBT, WBT and MOOC which are the foundations and elements of Online Corporate Training.
2.1 Computer Based Training (CBT)
Computer Based Training is a new-age way of learning. It is a form of education in which a student learns by using special training programs while on a computer. CBT can be synchronous and asynchronous, as well as online, web-based, mobile, and distance learning. CBT is particularly useful when training learners on a specific computer application, but can also be built to train learners on general knowledge or skills. This system worked well in the pre-Internet days, but with the explosive use of the Internet, the scope of Computer Based Trainings is forced to expand.
2.2 Web Based Training (WBT)
WBT has many aliases such as e-learning, Internet-based training (IBT) and distance learning. It is a subset of Computer Based Trainings in which the material is made accessible on the Internet by applying Web technologies. Typically, it has text and graphics, animation, audio and video, and needs additional bandwidth and software to work optimally. It presents the latest content of any topic that can be modified and is set in a framework of self-directed and self-paced instruction. WBT is applied by organizations varying in industry and genre, including the military, elementary/secondary schools, colleges, universities and law enforcement. It can also be evaluated and adapted, without a computer platform.
2.3 Massive open online course (MOOC)
Figure 1 (From WiKi)
Figure 1 shows the intrinsic openness to make a simple definition for MOOC. The Massive Open Online Course has been used as the most popular way for online corporate training due to its characteristics. This form of Online learning allows large number of learners to access the course. It is not only 100 or 100000, but unlimited, if learners are permitted to access and the course is still exist. And as form of CBT and WBT, it is posted online and might be opened for any learner who has an internet-connected device. Learners and instructors can interact online synchronous or asynchronous. Nowadays MOOCs are tring to simulate the lectures at universities in order to improve learning efficiency on the premise of maintaining their advantages.
3. What is the advantages of Online Corporate Training
Cost effective:
For organizations, training employees means investing money. The more the number of employees, more the cost of training via the traditional classroom method of training. Training through eLearning means the same resource for 20 employees or 100 employees, this way it is highly cost-effective to an organization.
Enhanced productivity:
Training through the conventional classroom method implies loss of productive hours for the employee and the organization, apart from time and resources spent by the management to organize training. As per a Brandon-Hall Study, training through e-learning typically requires 40% to 60% less employee time compared to a traditional classroom setting, the reason being it can be done asynchronously and whenever the employee needs it, that means work hours are not wasted.
Scalable:
eLearning courses are highly scalable. Any requirements concerning inclusion of new topics, technologies, growing number of target audience, etc., can be addressed with ease at very minimal costs.
Tailor-made courses:
eLearning courses can be designed as per the requirement of the employee/employer to the point, considering the current and expected level of knowledge of the employees. The target audience is kept in mind while designing these courses, hence training requirements can be met accurately. Thus, the unnecessary expenditure spent on in-appropriate training can be cut down by the organization.
Ease of accessibility:
Since the courses are online, they can be accessed 24X7 by the employees, hence they can choose convenient timings to pursue them. Also, with the best translation expertise available with many eLearning designing companies, training courses can be translated effectively into many international languages.
Better employee retention:
Employees feel more confident and valued when equipped with proper training; that way, they sense more responsibility toward the organization that helped them acquire new skills. Hence employee retention can be made easier. Plus, with e-courses being highly interactive and customized, it also adds fun at the working place!
Reason why Online training might not the first choice
ILT Provides Focus
When employees attend a classroom training session, they are able to focus better on what is being taught. The environment demands their complete attention. This is unlike online learning, where employees are going through the course on their desktop or laptop but there are other things to distract them from paying full attention to the course. A colleague may stop by to resolve a work-related query, the manager might need a clarification, and there may be a phone call or a message flashing on the computer screen. These distractions can prevent the employee from fully concentrating on the course and the learner might end up just going through the course, more than once, without learning anything.
There is little chance of this happening in a classroom environment, because there are minimum distractions and employees can really focus on the subject. The employee is expected to pay attention and participate in discussions.
ILT for Teaching Complex Information
When teaching complex topics, ILT can provide employees an expert instructor who will guide them through the topic, explain it, and answer their questions. While explaining the topic, the instructor can gauge how well learners have understood and can pace the instruction accordingly. He can either go back to the beginning or advance to the next step, based on the interaction with the learners.
Topics such as leadership, professional development topics, complex technical skills, or business skills training can be taught effectively through ILT because they warrant interaction, engagement, and deep analysis of the topic, and what better environment than ILT to provide learners these facilities. Classroom training provides a context to these learning scenarios.
ILT Provides Opportunities for Practice
Classroom training is useful for training employees on soft skills such as negotiation skills that can be practiced in the classroom through role plays. The instructor can then test the employees to ensure they have learned the skills.
ILT Gives Access to Skilled Instructors
ILT provides access to skilled instructors; they need not necessarily be in-house. You can outsource your training to external facilitators as well. Access to experts on the subject when organizations are able to get the best people in the field as guest speakers gives learners the opportunity to be trained by the best and clarify their doubts on the subject.
A good instructor will be attuned to the varied learning needs of the participants. He can identify and pay more attention to a participant who has specific needs in understanding the topic or applying what he has learned. Good instructors will adapt their training delivery to include updates and revisions in the topic.
ILT Gives Opportunities to Adapt
Classroom training gives instructors the opportunity to adapt the training session based on the needs of the audience. If the learners want to spend more time on a particular topic, the instructor can devote more time to that topic, till the learners have understood it.
Based on the inputs from the learners, the instructor can decide on the content he wants to deliver, adapt to the skill levels of learners, give more in-depth knowledge on a topic, or cover related topics.
ILT or classroom training still continues to hold its sway in training because of the benefits it brings to the training process. It provides focus to learning, makes it simpler to teach complex topics, and provides opportunities for practice and access to skilled instructors. ILT can be adapted to the needs of learners and different learning styles. Finally, this form of in-person training tends to be personalized.