Choosing the Right Training Approach: Instructor Led Training, eLearning and Immersive Training

Oct 20 / Anushika Soomro

In todays paced world, the pursuit of knowledge and skill enhancement is an ongoing journey. Traditional degrees alone are no longer sufficient to keep up with the changing demands of the job market. As a result, various training methods have emerged to meet the needs of individuals and organizations.


This comprehensive guide aims to explore three training approaches: Instructor Led Training, eLearning and Immersive Training (Non-VR/AR). By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each approach you can make a decision that aligns with your learning goals and personal preferences.


Section 1: Instructor Led Training

Definition and Characteristics:

Instructor Led Training takes place either in a classroom setting or through platforms where live instructors lead the sessions. It follows a lecture style format while also encouraging participation.

Benefits of Instructor Led Training:

1. Real Time Feedback
One significant advantage of Instructor Led Training lies in its ability to allow participants to ask questions, on the spot while receiving feedback from the instructor.
This real time interaction promotes a grasp of the subject matter while also allowing for the clarification of any doubts or misunderstandings.

2. Flexibility
Instructor Led Training provides instructors with the flexibility to alter the training content based on learners’ specific needs and questions. This adaptability ensures that the content remains relevant and valuable catering to each participants requirement. It proves beneficial when dealing with complex or rapidly evolving topics.

3. Hands on Benefits
Instructor Led Training often incorporates techniques like group discussions, breakout rooms and role-playing scenarios. These activities enhance engagement and active participation leading to knowledge retention. Participants get the chance to apply concepts to real life situations fostering critical thinking, problem solving skills and teamwork.

Disadvantages of Instructor Led Training

1. Cost
A significant drawback of Instructor Led Training is its expenses, both, in terms of time and money. Costs include hiring instructors arranging suitable training facilities and potentially requiring participants to take time off from their work commitments. Furthermore, these costs can increase if training needs to be conducted at locations.

2. Consistency
When different instructors are involved there can be variations in teaching styles resulting in training experiences. This lack of consistency can become a challenge, particularly when its crucial to have standardized learning outcomes for the organization.

3. Time Commitment
In person Instructor Led Training requires participants to allocate time slots for training sessions. This can be difficult for individuals who have schedules, conflicting priorities or are located far away. The rigid scheduling of Instructor Led Training sessions may also disrupt workflow and productivity for both individuals and organizations.

4. Scalability
Instructor Led Training has limitations in terms of accessibility and scalability. In person training sessions are typically limited to locations, which can make it challenging for teams dispersed across different regions or participants from diverse geographical areas to participate. Additionally expanding Instructor Led Training programs can be a challenge due to constraints and the need for additional facilities.

Section 2: eLearning

Definition and Characteristics

eLearning is a training method that allows access from anywhere at any time. It utilizes platforms to deliver educational content providing flexibility and convenience.

Advantages of eLearning

1. Flexibility in Timing and Pace
One of the advantages of eLearning is its flexible nature when it comes to timing and pace.
Learners have the convenience of accessing the training material whenever they want allowing them to effectively manage their time. They have the flexibility to learn at their pace dedicating more time to challenging topics while quickly grasping familiar concepts.

2. Cost Effectiveness
eLearning courses are often a cost-effective option compared to ILT especially for organizations with a large number of learners. By purchasing a single course organization can provide access to learners without the need for individual registrations. This scalability makes eLearning a cost-efficient choice for large scale training programs.

3. Accessibility and Reach
eLearning surpasses boundaries and is accessible to a global audience. Learners from locations can participate in the same course promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing. This wide reach is particularly advantageous for organizations with distributed teams.

Challenges of eLearning

1. Lack of Personal Interaction
Unlike ILT eLearning lacks the interaction of instructors and fellow learners. This may result in a sense of isolation, during the learning experience and hinder engagement. Learners might miss out on opportunities to ask questions or receive feedback, which can slow down the learning process and potentially lead to misunderstandings.

2. Technical Dependencies
The success of eLearning relies on having the technological infrastructure, including internet connectivity and compatible devices. However technical issues like internet speeds or incompatible devices can impede access to training materials causing frustration and delays in the learning process. Moreover individuals who are not technologically proficient may encounter difficulties navigating eLearning platforms.

3. Self Discipline
Engaging in eLearning demands self-motivation and discipline from learners. They need to take the initiative to complete their courses and maintain motivation throughout their learning journey. Unlike classrooms that provide structure and accountability some individuals may struggle to stay focused without these elements resulting in incomplete or ineffective learning experiences.

4. Limited Hands-on Experience
While eLearning offers knowledge and conceptual understanding it may lack hands on practical application. Some skills or subjects require real time feedback, physical practice or personal guidance that eLearning alone cannot provide. This limitation can be a drawback, for fields where physical or practical skills are essential.

Section 3: Immersive Training (Non-VR/AR)

Definition and Characteristics

Immersive training without the use of Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR) involves learners actively participating in practical, interactive and real-world projects. The goal is to create an environment where learners are fully engaged in their education gaining hands on knowledge and expertise through involvement.

Key Characteristics of Immersive Training, without VR or AR

1. Learning
Participants actively involve themselves in real life scenarios, tasks or projects that allow them to put theoretical knowledge into practice. For example a coding boot camp focused on training might have students working on actual software development projects to apply their coding skills.

2. Project Based Approach
Immersive training often includes projects that require learners to tackle genuine challenges fostering critical thinking, problem solving abilities and teamwork. For instance a marketing immersive program could involve learners developing and implementing a marketing campaign that applies their knowledge to real world situations.

3. Mentorship and Guidance
Instructors, mentors or industry experts play a role in guiding participants throughout the immersive experience. They provide feedback, support and expertise to ensure effective learning. This personalized guidance and mentorship greatly enhance the learning process.

4. Collaborative Learning
Immersive training emphasizes collaboration and interaction among participants allowing them to learn from one another share their experiences and build a network within their chosen field. Collaboration fosters the exchange of ideas, peer learning and community building.

5. Experiential Learning
Immersive training goes beyond concepts by actively involving participants in hands on experiences. Through participation and reflection on these experiences’ learners gain practical knowledge that connects theory with real world applications. This approach enhances their understanding and skill development.

6. Practical Skill Development
The primary focus of training is to equip participants with practical skills that can be immediately applied in a professional setting. The acquired skills are directly transferable to their careers making this training approach highly valuable, for development.

7. Real Time Feedback
Participants receive feedback on their performance as they engage in various projects or activities during the immersive training program.
This continuous feedback system enables learners to identify areas where they can improve make adjustments and continuously refine their skills.

Immersive training is particularly advantageous for individuals who prefer hands on, interactive and experiential learning. It's an approach for gaining practical expertise and preparing for real world challenges. This makes it a valuable method for developing skills and advancing careers across fields.

Conclusion

When it comes to training and learning Instructor Led Training, eLearning and Immersive Training all have their strengths and weaknesses. The decision on which approach to choose depends on factors, like your learning goals, budget constraints, personal preferences and the complexity of the content you're dealing with. A blended approach that combines methods can be the ideal solution as it allows for a customized training experience that maximizes the advantages of each method.
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