E-learning and LMS blog articles

When it comes to delivering powerful L&D initiatives, many organisations will choose to diversify their strategy by incorporating a variety of training methods. To achieve this, training activities need to be strategic, cohesive, and delivered via the right tools. And the most effective tool for delivering a variety of training methods is an e-learning platform. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most effective types of training methods and how e-learning can help take these methods to the next level when compared with offline delivery.

Instructor-led training

Perhaps the most traditional training method, instructor-led training (ILT) takes a one-directional approach, requiring an instructor, trainer, or teacher to lead training sessions. Learners attend scheduled lectures, presentations, workshops, or demonstrations and learn through a transmissive approach. ILT is one of the most popular types of training formats because it allows learners to ask questions in real time, gaining immediate clarification and feedback.

Despite being a popular training method, ILT has its limitations when delivered in a face-to-face environment. Delivering training sessions in a physical setting can result in restrictions such as the number of attendees allowed within the venue, a low student to teacher ratio, and significant travel and booking costs.

With e-learning software, organisations looking to deliver ILT can utilise virtual classroom technology to effectively deliver ILT sessions in an online environment, and to a larger cohort of students. With virtual classroom tools, trainers can deliver training sessions as they would in a face-to-face setting through conferencing tools, whiteboard features, audio and video sharing tools, breakout rooms, and much more. With this technology, ILT can be delivered to learners anywhere, removing the physical barriers that prevent training sessions from taking place effectively.

For organisations still looking to deliver some face-to-face training sessions, e-learning tools can also be used to optimise physical classroom teaching. With features such as Totara Learn’s seminar function, admins can create, manage and report on classroom-based events. Users of the learning management system (LMS) can easily see when and where the upcoming session is, sign up using the platform and easily obtain any relevant documents and training materials that have been shared on the platform. Additionally, admins benefit from full visibility of who has or hasn’t signed up for the event - ensuring that all essential personnel are present.

Like the sound of Totara? Find out more by reading our ultimate guide.

Role-playing

One of the most powerful types of training when taking an active learning approach is role-playing. This training method requires learners to act out real-life scenarios and role-playing exercises under the guidance of a trainer. This type of training can help learners effectively prepare themselves for real-life situations in a safe and ‘risk-free’ environment. It’s a particularly powerful training method for customer service roles and emergency services. With role-playing training exercises, learners and trainers can identify any strengths and weaknesses by analysing the decisions they make throughout the exercise.

Whilst effective, role-playing can be difficult to manage when carried out in larger companies. As trainers need to oversee all activities to be able to evaluate learner progress, it means role-playing exercises either must be carried out in small groups or require multiple trainers at once. Additionally, new starters or novice learners may feel uncomfortable acting out a scenario if they have limited training or experience.

With an e-learning platform, organisations can deliver role-playing training exercises in a controlled, managed and data-driven environment through powerful interactive content such as scenario-based learning or situation training. Scenario-based learning takes real-life situations and places them in a virtual training environment where learners will work their way through a problem and the choices a learner makes determines the content they see next and drives the overall outcome of the scenario.

Need risk-free training? Discover how to use effective scenario-based learning with an LMS.

On-the-job training

While many types of training methods will require employees to complete learning plans and training exercises prior to starting any role-based work, on-the-job training involves employees learning whilst carrying out the daily tasks associated with their position. Through this method, employees gain experience and build up skills by performing tasks or listening to fellow employees and watching others carry out tasks.

On-the-job training is unlikely to be successful however if learners have no preparation prior to performing tasks and for staff members who have been tasked with supervising trainees, it can be difficult to manage and prevent any costly mistakes. With e-learning technology, organisations can take a blended learning approach to on-the-job training, allowing employees to learn methodology and processes via online learning courses prior to carrying out any hands-on tasks.

With blended learning using e-learning tools, managers can easily keep track of training progress by asking employees to follow an online learning plan, ensuring all bases are covered during the entire training process.

Want to learn more about blended learning with an e-learning platform? Read our functionality page.

Mentoring and peer learning

Mentoring is a training approach that requires an experienced employee to guide and support new starters or less experienced employees through their training process. Mentors will share their knowledge and work with employees to help them develop any relevant skills through demonstration or conversations.

Although mentoring and peer-to-peer learning approaches can be highly effective, it can be difficult for managers to ensure that essential training areas are being covered. With e-learning, peer-to-peer training can be carried out in a controlled environment on platforms such as a learning experience platform (LXP). Mentors or experienced employees can become subject matter experts (SMEs) and are given the ability to create and share their own e-learning content, designed to help train other employees.

Through content such as blogs, videos and podcasts, SMEs can easily share their knowledge whilst features such as discussion boards and forums allow learners to ask questions and gain further insight from their peers. When carried out via LXPs, mentoring and peer-to-peer training practices can be easily monitored by admins and managers, allowing them to gather an evidence bank of what has been discussed and what hasn’t.

Like the sound of an LXP? Read our ultimate guide.

Self-led/autonomous learning

Self-led training is achieved when learners work their way through training materials autonomously. This type of training allows learners to complete training in their own time and at a pace that best suits them. Whilst this is beneficial for learners, it can be problematic for employers or trainers when carried out offline as they cannot easily track what learners have or haven’t completed. On the other hand, when autonomous learning is completed in an e-learning environment, reporting tools and analytics features provide trainers with comprehensive data evidence of learner progress.

Autonomous learning through an e-learning platform such as an LMS provides learners with a structured and focused learning plan that they can work their way through. With features such as progress bars and percentage wheels, both employees and employers will have full visibility of how much learning has been completed. What’s more, with LMS reports, admins can monitor elements such as course completion rates or assessment results.

Self-led learning is one of the most effective types of training for allowing learners to fully grasp the subject matter as they can complete any training at their own pace and revisit content if they are struggling to fully understand it.

LMS reporting: 5 essential reports to include in your L&D strategy.

Elevate your training initiatives with the right tools

Having run through some of the most effective types of training methods that you should include in your L&D strategy, now is the time to utilise powerful e-learning software to take your training to the next level. Our e-learning platforms offer all the functionality required to deliver the above training types and much more. Take a look at our product offerings, from a Moodle LMS to the Totara TXP, or if you’d like to see first-hand what our platforms can do for your training, book a demo with one of our e-learning experts today.