Why Online Training is ‘Stickier’ and more Engaging

Training isn’t just important during our formative years and in the classroom. Learning and development continue to be as crucial – if not more so – in our careers, as well.

For anyone responsible for workforce management and staying on top of the best practices, training, certification and the continuous development of skills is a pillar for your workforce’s experience – right up there with automation and time management.

To make sure your training efforts keep up with these modern workforce management tools, going digital and using eLearning can make all of your courses more accommodating and accessible for your employees.

Let’s dig into why online training is a must-have for your workforce management toolbox.

Training that sticks with you

In the context of learning and development, sticky training is material that isn’t ‘in one ear, out the other’. It’s that module that, after you complete it, you remember to apply its knowledge to your workday weeks or months later.

When you’re in classroom settings in, say university or high school, there are typically not as many gaps that leave room for forgetting material you’ve taken in: After doing your work, there’s a list of tests, quizzes and questions that keep reinforcing the knowledge and drawing your attention back to it.

Online learning is a different game though, as we all know. eLearning arguably comes with a larger risk of issues like communication overload and a general lack of instruction or support happening.

But after a year of the spotlight being on eLearning more than ever, there have been lessons learned and new best practices coming up for both the learners and the ones delivering the materials.

It’s a different game, but an accessible and convenient one

Before getting into the meat of this, it’s worth noting what we all know. Online training isn’t restricted by locations, bookings and the weather – you can access your LMS wherever you are as long as you have a smart device on hand.

This flexibility shows itself most in microlearning. Whether it’s picking up your laptop and completing the next section of some annual training when you have a minute or taking in a bite-sized course from start to finish, the ability to do this is unmatched in in-person learning.

Online training is just more convenient. And, partially because of this, it’s also an attractive option and a more engaging one for professionals.

eLearning is more engaging and personalized

Employee engagement has been a headliner aspect of business for many organizations over the past several decades. Consistently polling as a top priority in reports by the likes of Gartner, engaged professionals are more productive, effective and likely to stay within the company.

Training is actually a main contributor to how engaged employees feel. When we are getting the chances to develop ourselves and our professional skills at work, we’re happier and feel more positive about our employer.

Even better is when these opportunities feel personalized and tailored to our goals. Custom content or the ability to enroll in a course and then start it within a matter of minutes makes online training even stickier. Rather than following a rote learning experience, customized, self-guided training boosts engagement and retention in comparison.

With online training being the customizable option and more engaging delivery method for many, it’s packing benefits for employee engagement along the way.

Retention activities and follow-up learning fill in the gaps

In the virtual training environment, there’s an invaluable opportunity to make learning a part of everyday work life.

Learning paths and automated course assignment can address the spaces that conventional training leaves behind. A learner can proactively search for their next module as soon as they want, and they don’t need an instructor or administrator to be on their way.

Being able to view what they’ve completed and where they’re going next encourages participation for learners, too. These aspects, along with automatic, targeted and timed assignments make for a package that’s naturally encouraging retention in an engaging way.

It’s easier than ever to deliver an effective, retainable learning experience

With everything we’ve covered here, it’s easy to agree that eLearning is the evolution of in-person training.

Working with a platform like ours – iTacit – I’ve seen how advancements in mobile work, training and automation are bringing the luxuries of choice, flexible accessibility and mobile learning to learners across the workforce.