By Remote learning is where learning happens from a distance. The distance here refers to distance between a teacher and a student or a trainer and a trainee. In conventional learning, a trainer and trainee sit in a classroom, where learning takes place. This may not be suitable in today’s context for various reasons. Firstly, there is a shortage of time due to work pressures and spending time on classroom learning may not be possible. Secondly, in a post-crisis world where social distancing is the norm, remote learning is a safer option to learn.
When you take up online training courses, you are involved in remote learning. You would to this course during your free time and it does not affect your regular work schedule. In the post-Covid19 world, remote learning through online courses is preferable as it allows you to learn from the comfort, convenience, and safety of your home. Remote learning is effective not just for individual learners but even for employees of a business. Today most businesses are moving away from classroom training to online training.
Remote learning can be very effective in a business context. A business can encourage its employees to undergo online business training courses. These courses would make use of remote learning to achieve outcomes. It is beneficial for both the business and the employee. The following are different ways in which remote learning could be helpful:
Table of Contents
Remote Learning for Awareness
One of the basic training every employee needs to take up is awareness training. This would include awareness of issues like health and safety norms, hygiene protocols, workplace safety, fire safety, sexual harassment, etc. All these awareness programs are generic. They can be taken up either in-person, through Onsite Safety Training, for example, or through remote learning. Employees can be encouraged to take up an online course at a well-known portal. A specific customized course for employees can also be considered, where required. This would ensure awareness is created on key issues and employees can take up this program before they even report for duty.
Self-paced Learning
Not all people learn at the same pace. Some are fast, some are slow, some are very slow. An organization needs to give space for slow learners. The same kind of training for everyone proves disadvantageous for slow learners. This is where remote learning is beneficial. This is a form of learning that is self-paced. Apart from live online sessions, participants can view videos of sessions, go through notes, take up self-assessment exercises, and do all this at their own pace. This allows for self-paced learning, which accommodates the needs of all types of learners. This allows every employee to be trained in an effective way.
Skill Enhancement Learning
The ultimate aim of training is to impart skills. These skills would help the employee in his/her work. Learning skills and honing skills are needed to be able to work effectively. A skilled employee would be more productive and more focused on quality. Training can help with this. Remote learning would be even more effective as employees can pick up skills through a more systematic and self-paced way of learning. When an employee takes up online training, he can get to see videos of lectures that teach concepts. He can also go through case studies and demo videos that help in understanding application of skills. This ensures an all-round learning experience, which is more effective.
Content-based Training
Online training that focuses more on content will prove to be valuable. It is the content of the training that matters, not the trainer’s track record. Content is King in today’s world. Good quality content can help a trainee acquire skills. A judicious blend of old and new content would ensure that the trainee has basic concepts plus inputs on new developments and trends. Online training can help provide the right kind of content a business wants its employee to go through.
Bite Sized Learning
One of the benefits of remote learning is the use of bite sized learning. It is a well-known fact that a learning session that goes for a long time may not be very effective as the participant may lose interest. Short training sessions are more effective. Instead of conducting a learning session at one go, it can be broken up into modules. Each module would be a short session (bite sized learning) that would teach one new concept. A learner can thus undergo multiple bite sized sessions. This can be easily done through remote learning.
Remote Learning for Success
A business can succeed if its employees have the skills needed and are oriented to achieve goals. This makes it imperative for employees to not only have technical skills but other relevant skills. Time management, goal setting, communication are vital areas that can enhance an employee’s skills. Remote learning can include all these topics to help the employee and business be more successful by implementing all that was learned during training.
As was discussed, remote learning is no longer something different. It is the norm in today’s world just like work from home. Employees find it more convenient to take up remote learning. This is the reason we are likely to see more and more businesses implementing remote learning for their employees. This will help them succeed in the post-crisis world since their employees can upgrade their skills and serve customers better.
