Article 08 - How Virtual and eLearning training methods help service sector employees.
How Virtual and eLearning training methods help service sector employees.
What is Virtual training?
According to Cramer (2023) Virtual training is a process where
employees can complete job training activities online rather than in-person in
a physical location. This training can take place synchronously, meaning that
all participants complete it at the same time.
Huggett (2014) defines virtual training as a highly interactive synchronous online instructor-led
training class with defined learning objectives and participants who are
individually connected from geographically dispersed locations using a
web-based classroom platform.
Virtual training, also known as online training or
e-learning, refers to the delivery of educational and training content through
digital platforms and technologies. It allows individuals to learn and develop
skills remotely, often without the need for physical presence in a traditional
classroom setting. Virtual training leverages various technologies to create
interactive and engaging learning experiences that can be accessed from
anywhere with an internet connection.
Conventional
training methods can no longer keep up with our fast-changing, globalized
society. A modern approach to learning should enable the freedom and
flexibility to learn from anywhere in the world. In short, this means it’s time
to embrace a culture of online learning for employees.
What is eLearning?
Maddison, T. (2017) defines eLearning as instruction that is
delivered electronically through various multimedia and Internet platforms and
applications. It is used interchangeably with other terms such as web-based learning, online-learning, computer-assisted instruction,
and internet-based learning.
According to The Economic Times web eLearning defined
as a system based on formalised teaching but with the help of electronic
resources is known as e-learning."While teaching can be based in or out of
the classroom, the use of computers and the Internet forms the major component
of E-learning.
1. Virtual learning aligns with a work-from-home culture
Now that many more employees
are working remotely, virtual learning emerges as the only fit for learning in
a work-from-home setup. As you continue to hire new employees remotely, for
example, creating an effective digital training program allows you to keep
up with remote onboarding needs.
And this culture of online
learning is here to stay. Even as the pandemic fades away, more and more
organizations will continue moving toward e-learning as their primary mode of
corporate training.
A traditional approach to
education centers around strict class schedules, which can be limiting for
people with other commitments, like work events, family matters, or other
obligations. One of the advantages of online learning is that it gives learners
power over their schedule by granting access to training materials online
anytime.
3. Employees take
responsibility for their development
Besides
time constraints, traditional education is also led by an instructor who
decides what and how their students will learn. One of the pros of e-learning,
however, is that it restructures that top-down learning approach. It shifts the
learning responsibility from an instructor to the learners themselves. By
becoming less dependent on a top-down, organized learning program, learners can
take responsibility for their own development.
4. Learners can beat the
forgetting curve
Research
shows that most people forget at least 75% of what they’ve learned in just a
few hours. This problem is known as the forgetting curve. But one of
the advantages of e-learning is that you’ll be better equipped
to help your learners retain information.
By making your training content
readily available, you empower your employees to revisit the information as
often as they may need to on the job. On the flip side, you can also easily
share the most up-to-date content in real-time, ensuring that your employees
always have the most relevant information on hand.
5. Creating e-learning
content is cheaper and faster
Saving money has often been cited as another
one of the advantages of e-learning in the workplace. That’s hardly surprising considering the vast
savings that an effective e-learning system can provide. This is
particularly true for larger organizations with thousands of employees to train
across the world. Making your content available online also eliminates the need
for expensive onsite facilities and stacks of printed materials.
Besides being much cheaper than classroom-style training, e-learning also helps organizations keep up with the ever-increasing speed shaping our work environments. Empowering employees to learn at their own pace gives your Learning & Development team more time to devote to more high-stakes tasks instead of organizing face-to-face training events.
6. E-learning provides
education on demand
Today’s employees are used to
getting information on demand through platforms like Google, YouTube,
Wikipedia, or LMS (Learning Management System). It’s no surprise that they
would feel restricted by slow, traditional learning channels they might find in
their workplace. That’s where online training offers
benefits for employees.
By enabling you to share the most
up-to-date content quickly, e-learning allows your employees to decide for
themselves what and when they learn. In return, it allows you to meet your
employees directly in their learning moments.
7. Easily track your
learning progress
Another
benefit of e-learning courses is that you
can easily track key metrics about your employees’ progress. Modern
e-learning platforms provide detailed insight on your learners not just their
performance on tests and assignments, but also what resources they’re turning
to the most. This data allows L&D ( Learning and Development ) teams to
identify trends and make strategic changes whenever necessary. It’s a faster,
more responsive way of teaching, and it eliminates time spent reviewing exams
or assignments.
8. E-learning is better
for the planet
Another advantage of
the online learning system, as the pandemic has shown us, is that it can lower
a company’s carbon footprint. One-way e-learning helps is by reducing the need
for printed materials, saving paper, and preventing the use of environmentally
harmful inks. But there are even more benefits to online employee training. For
instance, an e-learning model significantly reduces carbon emissions if it
means employees are no longer driving or flying to in-person training sessions.
Subsequently, eliminating the need for large-scale training facilities (i.e.,
classrooms, auditoriums) can also save lots of energy.
9. Online learning allows
for immediate feedback
With e-learning, you can provide
instant feedback to your learners. When a learner responds to a test question,
for example, they can expect to know if they’ve answered correctly or not
immediately. This is one of the main benefits of e-learning for employees as it
allows them to internalize the knowledge during their learning moment instead
of having to wait a week or more for test scores.
And feedback goes both ways. By
incorporating a rating system into your e-learning course, like a net promoter
score (NPS) survey, you can identify how your learners respond to your
content and determine whether you need to make improvements to your approach.
10. An online training
model provides more concentration
The classroom setting is filled
with distractions. Even the teacher’s body language and speaking style can
distract learners from the actual lesson. Another advantage of online learning
is that it significantly reduces these interferences and places the focus
solely on the content, optimizing your learner’s attention.
From helping your employees thrive to lowering your company’s carbon footprint, there are several advantages of e-learning your organization stands to benefit from.
Conclusion.
List of reference:
Cramer,
P (2023) DRJournal.Virtualtraining.definition,Modalities.adnvalues.
[Online]. Available at
https://drj.com/journal_main/virtual-training-definition-modalities-and-value/
. Accessed on 16th August 16, 2023.
Huggat, C (2014) Virtual training guidebook,howtodesign,deliverandimplemetonlinetraining. [Online].Available at https://sinnplify.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/The-virtual-training-guidbook.pdf Accessed on 16th August 2023.
Maddison, T (2017) science direct, Chapter 2 - Literature Review of Online Learning in Academic Libraries. [Online] Accessed at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780081005989000027 . Available on 16th August 2023.
The
Economics Times, businessnews.definitions.education.elearning. what is
elearnin. [online] Accessed at https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/definition/e-learning
Available on 16th August 2023.
Agreed, Virtual training involves online job training, while eLearning delivers instruction electronically through digital platforms. These methods benefit service sector employees by aligning with remote work, enabling self-paced learning, fostering responsibility, countering forgetting, saving costs, offering on-demand education, tracking progress, reducing environmental impact, providing immediate feedback, and enhancing concentration, ultimately enhancing skills and contribution. (K. Bachman - 2011).
ReplyDeleteI agree with your observation, and I appreciate your adding literature support to make my article more authentic. What you highlighted in your comment were the crucial and concise benefits of the virtual and e-learning processes. To ensure how the impotence and the relavance of the virtual and elearing can be identified by the research results of Khrykov et al. (2022), the spread of e-government allows bringing government closer to citizens and promotes such values as openness, transparency, accountability, and public access to information, which improves the quality of public services. In the context of the digitalization of society and the challenges of modernity (pandemic COVID-19), the importance of civil servants’ e-learning and e-government is growing both in the traditional provision of digital services and in new innovative efforts to overcome the crisis.
DeleteAgreed ,Virtual training and e-learning methods offer several benefits to service sector employees, including
ReplyDeleteVirtual learning aligns with a work-from-home culture. According to Cramer (2023), virtual training can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, and it allows employees to learn at their own pace. This is important for service sector employees who are increasingly working from home.
Virtual/Online training allows you to learn at your own pace. Maddison (2017) notes that online learning gives learners power over their schedule by granting access to training materials online anytime. This is beneficial for service sector employees who may have busy schedules or who need to learn new skills on their own time.
Employees take responsibility for their development. Huggett (2014) argues that e-learning restructures the top-down learning approach by shifting the learning responsibility from an instructor to the learners themselves. This allows service sector employees to take ownership of their own learning and development.
Learners can beat the forgetting curve. The Economic Times (2022) reports that research shows that most people forget at least 75% of what they’ve learned in just a few hours. E-learning can help learners retain information by providing interactive and engaging content that is easily accessible.
Creating e-learning content is cheaper and faster. According to Cramer (2023), e-learning can save organizations money by eliminating the need for expensive onsite facilities and stacks of printed materials. This is especially beneficial for large organizations with thousands of employees to train.
As you further highlighted, virtual and e-learning offer multiple benefits to the employer and the employee as well. Further, Ming Ling et al. (2023) highlight that, E-learning has become an essential form of learning in both formal and informal education. Within the technology-enhanced
DeleteIn the learning environment, learners generate various learning outcomes that are influenced by the surrounding technologies. The repeated-measure Learning traces and artefacts from technology use were left and stored. In fact, the data structure in the e-learning ecology is essentially
hierarchical by nature.
Very informative and good reading article. I agree pertains to overcoming hidden biases that unconsciously affect workplace decisions and interactions. "eLearning" or electronic learning involves delivering instruction through digital platforms, offering advantages like flexibility, self-paced learning, learner responsibility, retention, cost-effectiveness, on-demand education, progress tracking, environmental benefits, immediate feedback, and improved focus. Virtual training aligns with remote work culture, allowing learning from anywhere, and empowers employees to take charge of their development. Learners can retain information better, eLearning content creation is cost-effective and swift, and tracking progress is easier.
ReplyDeleteWhile digging into the theaory and history that I found this interesting research; As a theory for high-quality online learning and a learner-centered approach, constructivism has gained the support of many online educators (Gulati, 2008). Vygotsky, whose groundbreaking research was conducted in the 1920s and 1930s, lived in a time before online education, let alone the computer. Even with asynchronous discussion forums, modern online classrooms may offer as rich of a social connection as traditional face-to-face ones. Students are prompted to create new knowledge by incorporating or connecting prior knowledge and/or experience into the study and evaluation of social, political, and economic topics and information by current and breaking news events. This promotes constructivist ideology and exemplifies constructivist teaching. According to Susan Hanley of the Maryland Collaborative for Teacher Preparation, in 1994: Kirstein, D. K, Hinrichs, M. J., & Olswang, G. S. (2011)
Your detailed comment shows that you have grasped a significant amount of the valuable points from my article, and it is a pleasure for me. Furthermore, the literature you cited was quite diverse, which contributed to the article's vibrancy. Virtual and electronic learning have become an undeniable part of our personal and official lives, and they will keep improving in the coming years in some ways we may not even have experienced.
DeleteMore over, the eLearning industry website highlights that the future of eLearning is bright and there are many exciting developments on the horizon. From AI and VR/AR to microlearning and gamification to social learning and collaboration, the eLearning landscape is set to become more engaging, interactive, and personalised than ever before. As learners become increasingly mobile and attention spans continue to shrink, these trends are likely to continue to grow in popularity, helping to shape the future of education and training.
Agreed, Overall, your article effectively communicates the benefits of virtual and eLearning training methods in the service sector, offering a valuable resource for those interested in modernizing their training strategies and optimizing employee development.
ReplyDeletePavel (2018) states that Virtual and eLearning methods break the barriers of time and location. Service sector employees often have busy schedules and may not be able to attend traditional in-person training sessions. Butean (2019) highlights that Virtual training allows them to access learning materials and modules at their convenience, whether it's during breaks, after work hours, or from remote locations. This flexibility enables employees to balance their work commitments with learning and skill enhancement.
eLearning and virtual learning methods offer valuable solutions to the challenges faced, especially by service sector employees with hectic schedules. As you highlight, these individuals often find it difficult to participate in traditional in-person training sessions due to time constraints and work commitments. eLearning provides the flexibility to access training materials and modules online, enabling employees to learn at their own pace and convenience. Virtual learning platforms offer the advantage of remote access, allowing employees to engage with training content from any location, whether it's during a break, at home, or while traveling. This adaptability helps them balance their work and learning commitments effectively. Additionally, interactive elements like quizzes, discussions, and multimedia resources enhance engagement and knowledge retention. In essence, eLearning and virtual learning cater to the specific needs of busy service sector employees, empowering them to acquire new skills and knowledge without disrupting their demanding schedules.
DeleteI just finished reading your insightful article on the impact of virtual and eLearning training methods for service sector employees. Your exploration of this topic is both timely and crucial, given the evolving landscape of employee training and development. It's evident that you've delved deep into the subject, and I found your insights to be quite thought-provoking.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, your article could be enriched by also elaborating on the advantages for employers. By embracing virtual and eLearning training methods, employers can significantly reduce training costs associated with traditional in-person methods. The scalability of online platforms allows organizations to train a larger number of employees simultaneously, thereby streamlining the training process and minimizing disruptions to daily operations.
You have highlighted a very valid point. Adding to your point, the scalability of online platforms empowers organisations to efficiently train a larger workforce concurrently, leading to a streamlined training process with minimal disruption to daily operations. Unlike traditional in-person training, which often requires physical resources and coordination, online platforms can accommodate an expanding number of learners without logistical constraints. This means that as the workforce grows, the training can seamlessly scale, ensuring consistent and standardised learning experiences for all employees. This scalability not only optimises resource utilisation but also accelerates the onboarding and upskilling of employees, contributing to enhanced productivity and reduced training-related interruptions.
DeleteVirtual and eLearning training methods offer service sector employees flexible and accessible learning opportunities. These methods provide interactive simulations, self-paced modules, and real-time feedback, enhancing skills and knowledge retention. Additionally, remote access eliminates geographical constraints, reducing costs and time spent on traditional training. Overall, virtual and eLearning approaches empower service sector employees to develop competencies efficiently, resulting in improved customer service and operational excellence.
ReplyDeleteNice article and a good read.
As you highlighted in your comment, e-Learning provides real-time feedback through interactive assessments, quizzes, and simulations. As learners engage with the content, they receive instant feedback on their performance, helping them identify strengths and areas needing improvement. This immediate feedback enhances understanding and enables learners to adjust their approach in real-time, fostering effective learning outcomes.
DeleteHi Nuwan
ReplyDeleteYou have explored the new age of training in your blog.
Virtual training is a process where employees complete job training activities online, synchronously, with defined learning objectives and participants from geographically dispersed locations. It's a highly interactive, synchronous online instructor-led class that leverages digital platforms to create engaging learning experiences. Conventional training methods are outdated in today's globalized society, so it's time to embrace a culture of online learning for employees.
You comment highlights a impotant point, conventional training methods, which often involve in-person sessions and physical materials, have become outdated in today's globalized and fast-paced society. The limitations of these methods include fixed schedules, geographical constraints, and the inability to cater to individual learning paces. As businesses operate across borders and employees have diverse commitments, a more flexible and accessible approach is needed. Online learning, facilitated by digital platforms and resources, addresses these challenges by offering a culture of learning that transcends physical boundaries. Employees can access training materials at their convenience, engage in interactive activities, and collaborate with colleagues regardless of their location. This shift to online learning not only enhances knowledge acquisition but also aligns with the dynamic nature of modern work environments, ultimately fostering continuous growth and development within the workforce.
DeleteInsight full article. Students who are geographically dispersed can get current information through e-learning. Although it is feasible for students to collaborate and share knowledge, most of the time, students choose to work independently. The fundamental tenet of online learning is "connectivity," which is the process through which computers are networked, share information, and link individuals with one another.
ReplyDeleteAs you pointed out, at the heart of online learning lies the central concept of "connectivity. This principle involves the interconnection of computers, allowing them to exchange information and establish links between individuals. Through this digital network, learners can access a wealth of educational resources, collaborate with peers, and interact with instructors. The concept of connectivity enables a dynamic and interactive learning environment, transcending geographical boundaries and enabling continuous engagement. As computers share information and connect individuals, online learning fosters a collaborative and accessible platform for education, reflecting the modern, interconnected world we live in.
DeleteThe provided definitions of virtual training and eLearning are both enlightening and timely, encapsulating the essence of modern education and skill development. The clarity in explaining how virtual training takes place online, offering synchronous learning experiences, demonstrates a proactive adaptation to our evolving world. Similarly, the comprehensive definition of eLearning as electronically facilitated instruction underscores its pivotal role in making education accessible, interactive, and adaptable. These insights reflect the innovation and inclusivity needed to empower learners and organizations in an increasingly digital landscape.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with your comment. Indeed, insights reflect the innovation and inclusivity simultaneously needed to empower learners and organisations in an increasingly digital landscape. Insights serve as a reflection of the innovation and inclusivity required to empower both learners and organisations within the evolving digital landscape. In the context of learning, insights encompass valuable data-driven observations extracted from online learning platforms. These insights illuminate how learners engage with content, what challenges they encounter, and what areas they excel in. By analysing these patterns, educators and organisations can adapt and tailor learning experiences to cater to diverse learning styles and individual needs.
DeleteAgreed with you. Virtual and eLearning training methods offer significant advantages for service sector employees, helping them enhance their skills, improve their performance, and adapt to changing industry trends. This is beneficial for the organization as well. A good article
ReplyDeleteAs you highlight, virtual and eLearning training methods offer key advantages: flexibility for learners, global accessibility, cost-efficiency, customised learning, interactivity, real-time feedback, scalability, continuous learning, and inclusivity, making them highly effective tools for modern education and skill development. E-learning ensures that students are completely involved as learning takes place with texts, videos, sounds, collaborative sharing, and interactive graphics. It may enhance the quality of teaching and learning, report the need for higher institutions to maintain competitive advantage, and provide access to education and training in this globalising marketplace for students. Islam et al (2015).
DeleteAs you highlight, customer service is paramount in the service sector, and improving customer service is vital to all service sector organizations. In order to achieve those goals, training and learning sessions are absolutely required, and the other way around should not impair the work-life balance of the employees. E-learning flexibility allows employees to learn without disrupting work, and real-world simulations build confidence in handling diverse customer situations. The continuous nature of e-learning ensures that customer service skills are always evolving and improving, ultimately leading to enhanced customer satisfaction.
ReplyDeleteHi Nuwan. This is a very attractive topic to discuss and you have well explained it through your article. I totally agree with your point of view. The adoption of virtual and eLearning training methods offers a transformative approach for empowering service sector employees. These methods provide the flexibility, interactivity, and accessibility required in fast-paced service environments. By accommodating varied schedules, offering engaging content, and ensuring consistent training across locations, virtual and eLearning methods not only enhance employees' skills but also contribute to elevated customer experiences and operational excellence. This technological evolution redefines training in the service sector, fostering a workforce that is better equipped to meet evolving challenges and deliver exceptional service.
ReplyDeleteappreciate your thoughtful comment. Further adding to your comment, the adoption of virtual and eLearning training methods presents a transformative strategy to empower employees in the service sector. By leveraging digital platforms, employees can access training materials remotely, enabling flexibility and self-paced learning. This approach transcends traditional limitations of time and location, enhancing skill development and knowledge acquisition. Service sector employees can receive up-to-date training on diverse topics, promoting expertise and improved customer interactions. This transformative shift not only elevates individual capabilities but also strengthens the overall service quality, leading to enhanced customer satisfaction and organisational success.
DeleteYour article begins with a thorough explanation of virtual training and eLearning ideas, based on credible sources such as Cramer (2023) and Maddison (2017). This opening section efficiently lays the groundwork for the future debate by clarifying key terms, assisting readers of all backgrounds in understanding the succeeding information.
ReplyDeleteAs the article progresses, it methodically describes the several advantages of implementing virtual and eLearning methods in the service sector. The systematic presentation of benefits, ranging from fitting with remote work culture to delivering on-demand learning and fast feedback, indicates a thorough awareness of the service industry's dynamic training demands. Excellent work!
As I stated throughout my article, implementing virtual and eLearning methods in the service sector is a very practical methodology in order to overcome many unseen obstacles. Further adding to my article, In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the implementation of virtual and e-learning methods in the service sector holds paramount importance. These innovative approaches revolutionise the way knowledge and skills are imparted to professionals. By seamlessly integrating virtual platforms and eLearning modules, the service sector can transcend geographical limitations, providing access to learning opportunities to a wider audience. This not only enhances the skill sets of individuals but also empowers organisations to adapt swiftly to changing trends and technologies. Moreover, virtual and eLearning methods promote a continuous learning culture, enabling employees to upskill and reskill at their own pace, fostering professional growth and boosting overall productivity. Embracing these methods ultimately catalyses efficiency, proficiency, and competitiveness, positioning the service sector at the forefront of modern education and workforce development.
DeleteMoreover, according to Lim (2007), the development of information technologies has contributed to the growth of online training as an important education method. E-learning provides trainees with education opportunities in diverse ways. It has led to a range of innovative services offering one-stop educational solutions within the e-business sector. The online training environment enables trainees to undertake customised training at any time and any place. Moreover, information technology allows both the trainers and trainees to be decoupled in terms of time, place, and space.