Online training and e-learning are fast becoming a more present alternative to in-person training courses. And rightly so. There are many benefits to online training. Especially with new technologies and designs, online training can give a very similar experience to in-person training. With high-quality content, online training is here to stay. But there are still misconceptions of online training. Find out all you need to know here.
Online Training is For Theory Courses Only
Let’s start with a first, commonly heard misconception about online training. The fact that it would only be suited for theory-based courses.
Now up until a couple of years ago, this might have been true. When you are studying something purely theory-based, this could essentially be presented in any type of training format. And then in-person training almost seems not needed. So yes, the earliest e-learning courses that were developed, and successful, were theory-based courses.
But as the demand for online training increased, the industry developed and grew with its demand. With better online platforms available, more and more options were added to online training courses too. Now, you will find lots of video content, and sometimes even interactive content during your online training courses.
Which has opened up the way for more practical skills to be taught in an online format too. YOu can now observe your trainer or teacher performing the new skill you are trying to learn. And you can upload videos of your practical assessments too, where a trainer can sometimes even give you (live) feedback.
Online Training Is for Tech-Savvy People Only
Another misconception on online training that might have been true in the past. The fact is, there have been so many developments with online training platforms, that it is now as simple as sending an email.
Almost every person is nowadays familiar with at least the basic usages of a mobile phone or a laptop. They can send an email, and visit a website, or watch a video online. Those are pretty basic skills. And it doesn’t take much more to be able to follow an online training course! Most learning platforms are now very easily set up and very simple to access. Which makes it very possible for even the most technically challenged person to complete an online training course with ease.
Also, don’t forget you should always be able to contact your training provider with help if you happen to get stuck. Do they perhaps have a sample of a course you can try, if you are not too sure? That way you can test the system to see if you like it. And if it is indeed workable for you.
You Can Not Test Or Assess Skills Properly
This misconception on online training is similar to the fact that some people feel e-learning should only be for theory-based courses. Again, this is where video technology and even live video connections come in.
Many courses will have great setups where students can complete tests and assessments, as they would during an in-person training course. You might, for example, be asked to film yourself showing a newly learned skill. Which will then be assessed y a trainer, who will give you feedback in return. Or there might be audio recordings you have to make as part of an assessment. Where you would tell a story or read a statement created by you. Sometimes you might be asked to upload a document created by you, which again will all be assessed by a trainer. Just like that would happen in an in-person training course. If anything, the trainer might spend more time giving you helpful feedback considering they do not have to mark a whole classroom all at the same time!
You Need Lots Of Time For Online Training
This could not be further from the truth! One of the most popular reasons people choose e-learning over an in-person course, is actually the lack of time they have.
The beauty of online training is that you are in charge of the timeline. Whereas with a face to face training course, you are bound by the dates and times that were set by the course. Online training, on the other hand, can be started whenever you want to.
So this gives you a lot of freedom and opportunities. Do you know that you have a quieter couple of weeks coming up? You can simply schedule your online training course for that time.
Also, you do not have to complete the whole course in one go. You can stop and restart your online training courses as often as you like. So if you have a busy week, but have some time at the weekend, continue your training then. Just make sure you check with your training provider to make sure when you have to have completed the training by. But most training providers will give you weeks – if not several months – to complete a training that, face to face, would be done in one weekend.
How To Get Started With Online Training?
Do you agree with these misconceptions of online training? Or are you ready to get your e-learning journey started? We are here to help! Polo and Tweed have a very extensive training academy that has been successfully running for many years. And now all training courses are available in online formats too. So why not learn from the absolute best in the industry, from the leading name in domestic and hospitality training. To find out more about what options work best for you do contact us here now and we look forward to helping you.