How to Choose the Best Type of Learning for Your Next Training Program?

Viren Kapadia Nov 08, 2019
How to Choose the Best Type of Learning for Your Next Training Program?

One thing that continues to baffle corporate organizations today is to choose the best type of learning method for their training program. With mixed opinions about both formal and informal learning, it becomes quite difficult to pick the right option. Hence, if you are confused between the two and wish to choose the best options for your training program, here is all what you need to know.

What is Formal Learning?

As is quite evident by its name, this type of learning is carried out in a structured manner, typically led by trainers and instructional designers in a classroom setting. The content of the formal learning program is created by the trainers and instructional designers themselves and is delivered via classroom training model. Live webinars are often used in formal learning model to let the remote learners attend the session.

What is Informal Learning?

Informal learning refers to learning that occurs away from a structured, formal classroom environment. Informal learning comes in many forms, including viewing videos, self-study, reading articles, participating in forums and chat rooms, performance support, coaching sessions and games. Informal learning is considered a form of asynchronous learning. Informal learning is a style of learning in which the learner sets their own goals and objectives.

What is Blended Learning?

The most preferred and useful method of training or learning is blended learning. Businesses across the world use the best employee training software in New York that follows a blended learning approach for modern learners. It involves the elements of both formal and informal learning, which is how it succeeds in attracting the attention of the learners plus provide them formal training on topics that are best understood through trainers. With this type of learning, you not just impart theoretical knowledge to the learners, but also allow them to try the same in a risk-free environment.

Make the Right Choice

Now that you have understood the different types of learning, it would be a bit easier for you to choose the right option. Every type of learning option has its own advantages and disadvantages. Hence, before making the decision, keep in mind your organizations’ goals, challenges, objectives and requirements.

The major aspects that help you make the right choice include -

  • Audience - Are live training sessions providing you with the desired effects? How much time are the live training sessions consuming? Do learners find it easy to locate the follow-up information whenever they need it?
  • Content development - How complicated or easy it is to develop content? How often the content needs to be updated?
  • Tracking and reporting - How many reports are generated by how many people? What do you wish to achieve by tracking the progress of the training program? Do you wish to have complete or less control over the courses?

Apart from this, you must also ask yourself a few questions, such as -

  • What content should be covered in videos, texts, images and audios?
  • Can I add a social media element to my training materials? If yes, where?
  • What type of social media platforms are already in use by the online learners?
  • How to engage the learners and motivate them to participate in the training program?
  • Should I turn the training materials into bite-sized posts for micro learning?

These questions will help you analyze your needs and let you get a clear idea on what your elearning course design should have? Jot down the needs and objectives of your organization and choose a program that you feel makes the most sense to you.

If you choose a blended approach, you allow the learners to learn and experiment things that work best in the practical world. Hence, as far as possible, look for creating a balance in the approaches, every time you design your online training materials. Look for an LMS that supports blended learning and offers affordable LMS administration in Virginia. Your training needs will be completely satisfied, giving you access to better productivity and an improved bottom line.