In today's growing business environment, training in companies is a crucial part of the growing culture. With the rise in digital technology, companies have two main training modules: traditional and eLearning training. But have you ever thought about which one works best for your company? Let's come and see both the pros and cons of these methods and get to know the best for your company.
What is the traditional training method?
Traditional training is the old evergreen method, that involves the old face-to-face training in a classroom setting. This strategy has been the cornerstone of corporate training for years, involving lectures, workshops, hands-on exercises, and group activities. This one-on-one interaction between the trainers and trainees is believed to be one of the most significant methods.
What is the eLearning training method?
eLearning makes use of digital channels to provide training content. eLearning method may include live webinars, pre-recorded video sessions or interactive modules. This method helps employees access the material anytime and anywhere.
Comparing eLearning and Traditional Training:
1. Cost-Effectiveness
Traditional Training: In-person training tends to be more expensive. Costs can add up quickly when you take into account the cost of employing trainers, venue rentals, printed materials and travel expenses for employees.
eLearning: eLearning is generally the best and most cost-effective option. Once you invest in the eLearning platforms, you can use them multiple times, you might need to upgrade them, and that’s it. For the companies, who want to cut their training expenses, it’s the best option as there’s no travel or venue fees involved.
2. Flexibility
Traditional Training: The major drawback that conventional training has, is a lack of flexibility. Employees need to be present there at a given time and place, which can be distracting for them with their regular work schedule.
eLearning: The main advantage of eLearning is its flexibility. Employees can access training modules, whenever it is most convenient for them, and at their speed, particularly best for remote teams and companies in different countries in diverse time zones.
3. Engagement and Interaction
Traditional Training: Face-to-face interaction can be more engaging. Employees can participate in group discussions, ask questions in real-time, and gain from practical activities. The personal connection with the trainer can also boost the motivation of an employee.
eLearning: As eLearning training is not face-to-face training. Therefore, to make them interactive features like quizzes, simulations and discussion forums can be conducted to increase engagement. However, the eLearning program’s design also determines the degree of engagement.
4. Customization and Personalization
Traditional Training: Providing customized training to a large group of people can be challenging. The training material is usually standardized, which might not meet the unique requirements of individual personnel.
eLearning: eLearning can be highly personalized. Employees can focus on their weak areas by having content, that is customized for their unique learning path. Some eLearning platforms also use AI to grasp the training material based on their learner’s progress.
5. Scalability
Traditional Training: Traditional training programs can be costly and challenging. Organizing multiple sessions for large groups of employees at several locations’ is logistically difficult.
eLearning: eLearning is easily scalable. Once the content is created, it just needs a few clicks to get rolled out to thousands of employees across the globe. Because of its scalability, big businesses find it the perfect option.
Which Should You Choose?
What is better for your company, eLearning or traditional training, depends on your company’s specific needs, budget and workforce. For some forms of training, like team building or onboarding, traditional training could still be the ideal option if your organization's priorities, communication and practical experience.
But, if you’re looking for a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solution, eLearning is the best option for you. Businesses that require frequent training updates, have a distributed workforce or operate in fast-paced industries are especially well-suited for eLearning.
Conclusion
In the end, companies have figured out that the hybrid strategy, which means combining the strengths of both eLearning and traditional training works best for them. With the integration of eLearning’s flexibility and traditional training’s interpersonal advantages, companies can create a comprehensive training program that caters to the diverse needs of their employees.
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