The internet has, for better or for worse, become the default platform for people seeking information online. One of the most oft-used terms after the pandemic is the term “New Normal.” The pandemic forced schools, universities, and companies to work remotely, and this led to a boom in online learning. Online learning has shown significant growth over the last decade, as the internet and education combined, provided people with the opportunity to gain new skills virtually.
Online learning platforms have given millions of people around the world, the ability to benefit from virtual learning experiences, and this has created huge data, while machine learning has given personalized solutions to course content by using big data. The biggest challenge faced by students and professionals today is to figure out emerging skills, and what they can do to compete best in the global market. We live in a world that is changing so quickly, that skills that were valued just three or four years ago are no longer relevant. People are confused and don’t know what they should be learning. Online learning has become a huge catalyst for people and companies to help them adapt to this rapid change in the world. It is an accepted fact that online learning is the future and will undoubtedly replace land-based learning in the years to come.
What are the advantages of online learning?
- Reduced cost. Due to the nature of online learning, travel and lodging costs can be reduced or eliminated completely.
- Convenience. Students can choose when and where they would like to participate in training courses – whether they are at home, in the office, or on their mobile devices.
- Modular design. To appeal to busy students and professionals, many online programs offer training content in short, incremental modules, which can be completed independently or in combination with other courses.
- Increased capacity and scalability. Virtual learning can accommodate large numbers of students without increasing the amount of material or space needed in typical classroom settings.
- Increased diversity. Because of the reach that online learning provides, students and trainers from a variety of cultures and geographical backgrounds can participate simultaneously.
What to look for when choosing an online training provider
From the thousands of online training providers available in the market today, how do you pick the best option to meet your personal or organization’s training needs? How can you make sure they will deliver great training and offer the best value for money? To help you in this challenging task, here are a few tips for you to consider when making your selection.
- Content
The content should be relevant, high quality and deliver specific learning outcomes. You should leave a course feeling like you gained the knowledge that you needed from it and be in a position to implement what you have learnt in a practical way.
- Trainers
How the course is delivered to you will have a considerable impact on how much you learn. There are many experienced trainers in the industry but industry expertise does not always translate into strong presentation skills. A good trainer will be lively, dynamic and interactive. They will communicate clearly and be able to share the content with you in a way that you are able to understand, regardless of your level of experience. And most importantly, they will know their subject matter inside out and back to front. Read more about us….
- Communication
This may seem like a strange one, but noticing how the training provider communicates with you is very important. Is their marketing information clear, friendly and professional? Do they have a professional website with all the course information? When you make an enquiry, do they respond quickly and are they helpful? These little things matter as they speak volumes about how a business conducts itself. If they get these things right, chances are they’ll get their products right too.
- Customer Satisfaction
A good training provider will have a good track record. Don’t be afraid to ask them for details of customer feedback from past courses. View student reviews here…
- Price
Price is important. So why is it last on the list? Because value is more important. And if you find a training organisation that offers all of the above, price should be the last thing on your mind.