ILT vs. eLearning
With ever-evolving learning needs come various delivery method options for training, and as exciting as all of these are, choosing the one that best fits your team can sometimes seem overwhelming. At Flint, we not only make sure to be a step ahead of every successful teaching method, but we also help you navigate and choose the best one for your team.
When searching for learning service partners, instructor-led training (ILT) and eLearning programs (sometimes referred to as eLT) are the two main training delivery methods to consider. Both are very popular, but which should you ultimately choose for your needs? Let’s discuss what each method offers and in which situations they are best implemented.
What is Instructor-Led Training (ILT)?
ILT is often thought of as a more formal and conventional method for educating learners; this classroom-based, instructor-led method – in its various embodiments – has been the foundation of learning for literally thousands of years. To put it simply, at its very core, ILT is conducted live, in front of learners in a classroom (or a virtual classroom online), and the information is presented by an instructor.
What are the Advantages of ILT?
ILT is considerably more than just lectures and presentations, and the best ILT involves experience-based dynamic learning. Characterized by change, various activities, and progress, this type of learning takes the shape of panel discussions, small-group breakout sessions, and role-playing exercises. It enables and encourages open discussion, and team building, and gives learners a chance to apply what they’ve learned in real-world, real-time scenarios.
ILT Encourages Interaction
In addition to providing these more collaborative situations amongst learners, ILT also allows learners to interact directly with their instructor, enabling them to receive help and clarification when it’s needed. This “real-time feedback” is a chance for instructors, experts in their field, to directly respond to questions and guide their learners – any queries or concerns can be addressed immediately during a session, by a genuine, live instructor, whether they are present in person or online.
With this type of observation and assessment, teachers can repeat essential points if necessary, and even change the tempo (slowing things down for a group that is struggling to grasp a subject, or fast skimming through issues that are universally familiar to the learning group). Its “adaptability” ensures that instructors do not lose their learners’ attention and that learning progresses effectively throughout a training course.
Overall, ILT can be an exceptionally good choice for training smaller groups of learners that are delving into complex topics requiring hands-on learning, personalized instruction, and team building.
ILT Disadvantages?
ILT also has some disadvantages. First, ILT sessions can be time-consuming. Learners must attend the course at a specific time and location, which can be challenging for learners who have other commitments such as work or having to travel to attend a training course. Second, ILT sessions may be limited to a certain number of learners, and this can be an issue for organizations with a large workforce or multiple locations. Finally, ILT sessions can be expensive to deliver, with costs including instructor salaries, travel expenses, and venue rentals.
What is eLearning?
In contrast, eLearning is an online approach to learning where learners can, at their own pace, conveniently access training materials and complete coursework through various multimedia elements including audio, video, and interactive exercises and lessons through gamification, and augmented reality.
What are the Advantages of eLearning?
One of the key advantages of eLearning is flexibility. Learners can access e-learning content at any time, from anywhere, on any device, making it convenient and accessible. This flexibility can be especially important for learners who have busy schedules or live in different time zones because it does not interfere with work or personal time. Learners are free to train at their convenience and in their own space.
Additionally, eLearning eliminates the need for travel and accommodation expenses, reducing the overall cost of training for both learners and organizations. Similarly, eLearning can be easily scaled to accommodate large numbers of learners, which makes it a cost-effective solution for organizations with a large workforce or multiple locations.
Overall, eLearning can be a good choice in situations where learners benefit from flexible scheduling, multimedia learning, tracking and assessment, and cost-effective training options. It is particularly useful when remote learning is necessary, scalability is important, or when schedules require flexible, self-paced learning.
Disadvantages of eLearning?
However, eLearning also has some disadvantages. First, eLearning can lack the personal interaction and immediate feedback that ILT sessions provide, which can be a disadvantage for learners who prefer a more hands-on approach. Second, eLearning requires learners to be self-motivated and disciplined, which can be a challenge for some learners who may struggle with time management or accountability. Finally, eLearning relies on technology, which can sometimes be unreliable or cause technical issues that can interrupt the learning experience.
Which One Do You Choose?
ILT is the best option if you need to adapt your training to trainees’ needs and take into account their many varied learning preferences. A hands-on approach to training allows for quick customization, practical solutions to issues, and ongoing feedback. Also, it enables instructors to form bonds with their personnel and interact with them in a way that may increase their interest in the subject. This is perfect for smaller classes where a teacher can cater to each student’s requirements individually.
Self-paced eLearning training, the more adaptable of the two methods, is fantastic for initial training as well as serving as a valuable resource for employees to refer back to as needed, reminding themselves of the fundamentals as time goes on. To keep workers interested, this approach can also incorporate a variety of components, such as blogs, films, animations, quizzes, and gamification.
Blended Learning
If just one doesn’t cut it, we can take the best of both worlds and combine the two methods in what is known as a blended learning approach. It allows you to mix and match learning elements and take advantage of the benefits of both traditional classroom instruction and digital learning resources to fit your needs.
This training strategy can provide students with a more flexible and personalized learning experience than each strategy could provide on its own. The benefits and drawbacks of both eLearning and ILT should be taken into account when designing a blended curriculum.
Blended learning allows eLearning to impart fundamental ideas and information in an uncomplicated fashion while ILT fosters more interactive and real-world settings in which to discuss and apply what is learned.
A blended learning method is perfect if you’re searching for both a discussion-based group learning environment and a flexible means of imparting the basics.
In Conclusion
The choice of which training approach to use depends on the specific needs of your organization. Both ILT and eLearning have unique advantages and disadvantages, and ultimately, the decision of which one to use should be based on factors such as the learning objectives, learner preferences, available resources, and the overall goals of your organization.
At Flint, we look forward to using our expertise and resources to help you reach such a decision and successfully achieve your training goals.
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