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Training online is different to learning in a classroom and This article discusses the relative Merits of learning online versus Classroom discussion and more Accepted methods of learning and training.

So what is learning online?

As soon as someone sits at a Computer they are learning something. It might only be a trivial item like looking at a youtube video or the time of the next Train into town, but they are learning.

Taking that to the next level, ask yourself, As their manager, what do you want them to learn or how will the learning Improve your Product or service.

Clearly finding out that Martin is friends with Pam on Twitter is not very useful.

(Incidentally, how do you currently select people for classroom training, do you send everyone on the same course?� thought so)

Everyone can learn at a pace comfortable for themselves

So No waiting while latecomers catch up or waiting while more able ones try to catch the trainer out�

Learning modules can be released at any interval to suit you or your learners. You can specify that a learner must study and complete Module X before moving onto Module Y for example. You can release content daily, weekly etc depending on progress of larners.

You really can get that level of control..

Everything on a computer is logged - That can be a big help..

Anytime you (or any body) looks at a website, they leave fingerprints behind.  (When you shop online, have you ever wondered how stores can �remember� you?)

Taking that a stage further, if we can chose what websites(courses) our staff look at and what pages they look at (the answers they give to tests etc) this can give us very powerful information.

But won�t this take away from my existing training?

No, it will add another string to your bow.  Imagine, if you could say to staff,

�Please read this book and answer these few questions before the training session on the 21st of next month�

And you could actually test who had done that�

Concrete evidence for appraisal, disciplinary, health and safety & legal compliance etc etc all without you Doing anything..

Do you need a special computer to learn online?

No, good online learning & training should be able to be viewed over an ordinary computer

Does online learning include sound & video?

Almost anything you can do in a classroom, you can replicate online.. Video, sound, pictures, anything

So will online learning replace Learning in the classroom

No, definately not, but it can certainly be used as a valuable to for trainers and managers. There are some things which are best learnt in the classroom. These include the so-called �soft skills� where discussion and debate are part of the learning process.

More technical skill areas and learning the theory of something can easily be transferred to online. (For instance, you aren�t going to learn how to present the news by completing our presentation skills course

- but you will learn important theories, relaxation techniques etc)