Remote Learning Trends: Format, Content, and Tools

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There is a trend of moving classroom training into remote learning options (interactively via a virtual classroom, or asynchronous via MOOC style learning formats, etc.).

Does the increase in attractiveness of these formats only come from managers who see the learning formats as more cost effective OR are learners also as impressed by these new offerings?

Can I simply use classroom training content and deliver it in a remote learning environment?

Is it only the Generation Y and Z who is in favor of these trends or is it of more general nature?

According to the 2015 Learning Survey of the Learning and Performance Institute in the UK, 50% of the survey participants said that formal face-to-face courses still account for the majority of the Learning & Development mix.

Developing content for remote learning requires new content. If you only convert 1:1 the classroom training content into remote learning content , you probably will fail to gain much interest from your customer.

Make sure you carefully select your remote learning tools. It is important to understand the capabilities of the various virtual classroom software in the market, as well as to understand the software and physical environment needs to create creative videos, consider software/tools to add gamification, etc.

Looking at the audience that consumes remote learning, there is no clear indication that only a certain type of learner or learners of certain age prefer one over the other. Obviously, the younger generation feels more comfortable with remote learning as they are used to retrieve lots of their knowledge via the digital world (e.g. youtube).

Remote Learning has lots of benefits and if delivered properly, it will also be accepted by the majority of your training consumer.

Consider a flipped classroom approach! Deliver basic knowledge and skills via remote learning and the more advanced content and activities in a face-to-face format.

Remote Learning formats are only slowly gaining attraction – we’ve talked about the disturbance to the classroom training already several years ago and still face-to-face training is favoured by the majority of learner.

As a Learning Provider it is important to contribute a flexible and wide course offering in all sorts of learning formats to my customer. The customer can then decide which option to choose.


What are your thoughts?
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About the Author: Joachim Worf

Joachim is a Sr. Education Delivery Manager with 15+ years of experience in IT, including over 10 years in Education Management. His compilation of work includes accountability and responsibility for Education Services (Learning & Development), Education Strategy, Organizational Development, Staffing, Partner Management, Customer Relations, ISO-Auditing, Program- and Project-Management. In previous roles, Joachim was responsible for EMEA Education Inside Sales and the EMC Academic Alliance program in EMEA. Joachim is a Board Member at Learning Solutions Working Group at german BITKOM (ICT) Association and Board Member to European eSkills Association (EeSA).
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