The Pros and Cons of Remote Learning

Remote Learning is Not New

Over the past 30 years learning methods have significantly evolved. Early in the 1990s, the term Distant Learning (independent study) was typically used, particularly in colleges and universities. As the internet evolved with internet service providers (ISPs) increasing upload and download speeds, remote learning has become more accessible to those taking courses from their homes.

The internet has also made it possible to attend online classes from anywhere in the world. The range of possibilities has grown exponentially, and so have learning platforms. Additionally, remote learning has a multitude of references, including eLearning, online learning, and virtual-led instructor training (VILT).

Devices that support eLearning have evolved as well. Peripheral device options such as mobile phones, iPads, and laptops have made eLearning extremely readily accessible and convenient. Being able to attend online courses, achieve higher education degrees, and expand knowledge promptly, has helped many organizations as well as staff. Remote learning has become beneficial for professionals and organizations, as well as with students, individuals continuing their education, achieving certifications, and even speakers of TED Talks.

Thanks to technological advances, employees are now able to take advantage of online training through their companies for free. Companies can take advantage of package-priced/subscription deals and licenses to provide training for their employees who use fewer resources than in-person classroom training.

Companies such as Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare, LinkedIn Learning, GoGo Training, Quizlet, Skillsoft, and even Microsoft and YouTube offer eLearning courses. eLearning platforms can offer video courses, virtual reality courses, and ready-made eLearning content. Colleges such as the University of Phoenix and Arizona State University offer a variety of online degree programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and associate degrees.

There is so much flexibility with Remote Learning that some professionals prefer it to in-person training. Options that are also beneficial learning tools include online Webinars. Companies that offer virtual training via Webinars allow for learning, training, and education from public forums, provided by various experts and professionals.

According to Peck Consulting LLC, approximately 40% of Fortune 500 companies use eLearning for training and 9 in 10 companies provide their employees with some form of digital learning.

Benefits of Remote Learning

There are several benefits to gain from engaging in remote learning to include:

• Online learning requires 40% to 60% less time than traditional (classroom) learning.
• One of the key advantages is flexibility. Remote learning can take place via desktops, iPads, laptops, and even mobile phones. The one pre-requisite of accessing Remote Learning is the requirement of having an internet connection. Once access to the World Wide Web is provided, then additional capabilities are available such as downloading a local copy of the training onto your own personal device for later use. If a recording is unavailable, soft-copy materials can sometimes be provided if the content happens to be proprietary, confidential, and/or sensitive. Hybrid eLearning models offer a classroom environment and a remote option simultaneously.
• For those learners who prefer computer-based training (CBT), the convenience of this option exists where courses can be taken and then reviewed on repeat later (this is also a great option for those studying for a certification).
• Being able to participate in self-paced remote training is helpful to all those with busy life schedules. Though companies are including annual training requirements in job descriptions, the option of taking classes throughout the year is welcomed.
• With certain jobs requiring some sort of training and/or certification, the flexibility of taking courses at home, even if paid for out of pocket, is still more cost-effective than having to physically attend a course on-site. According to Forbes, eLearning boosts the retention rates of employees by 25% to 60%.
• For those learners starting new jobs, even the onboarding process is made easier with the availability of virtual learning. Employee onboarding processes are more streamlined with the ease of providing new hires web links to attend briefings and training at their leisure. Employee engagement is also 18% higher in companies that use eLearning.

Cons of Remote Learning

 To some, there are a few drawbacks to Remote Learning which include:

• For example, best practices state the most effective and efficient form of communication is face-to-face. Those who learn better in a classroom setting, where facial expressions are seen and more intimate discussions are had, may prefer not to learn remotely. For an organization that does not have infrastructure, technology, bandwidth, and devices that can support remote learning, it may be a budget concern to manage resources.
• While remote learning is a great option, for many facilitators, trainers, and educators, the post-course evaluation can be quite challenging. Understanding learners’ retention can be harder to rate and judge via eLearning. Of course, all facilitators want to know the positive benefit the learner gained, but they also want to gauge real-time feedback, which may not always be available until some time after the online course has ended.
• With the dependency on the internet, there will always be the need to manage risks and vulnerabilities. It will be necessary to incorporate oversight to prevent plagiarizing and stealing and ensure content is not copied without copyright. Organizations will have to ensure they have processes in place to prevent unauthorized use of materials without permission.

Best ways for organizations to provide training.

Google Classroom, Docebo, TraCorp, and Quizlet are all examples of platforms companies can use to offer, store, and keep track of remote training. Learning Management Systems (LMS) not only allow for the development of course content but offer a variety of features to manage remote learning as well. According to 2024 eLearning Statistics, seventy-two% of organizations use a learning management system. The management of remote learning allows learners to enroll and register for courses, engage with trainers, track course transcripts via user accounts, document grades for tests, monitor and track completion progress as well as customize and create reports. Documenting and tracking training successes is important when reporting on training results. Reporting on training is not useful if measurements and metrics are not available to track training needs and training improvements.

 In a recent report by Knowledge by Numbers, 21% of business undergraduates and 23% of business graduates studied via online college. In addition, in corporate environments, 93% of businesses worldwide are planning to adopt eLearning in 2024.

Recommendations for providing Remote Learning.

 The list has grown around eLearning opportunities. Please see the helpful tools below:

• Helpful Tips
  • Consider the upload and download speeds of your internet connection
  • Select a device that has both video and audio
• Problem-Solving
  • Compare the benefits of in-person/classroom platforms to virtual
  • Identify software, hardware, storage, space, reports, & AI needed
• Micro-learning
  • Identify time needed for eLearning
  • Break out course content into smaller manageable chapters/sections

Remote Learning as a Service (RLaaS)

Like Cloud Services such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, etc., Remote Learning as a Service (RLaaS) is now available. Large companies can take advantage of purchasing Remote Learning tools and storing them on their Cloud systems. Participants of RLaaS can attend training on digital platforms that offer video lectures, interactive quizzes, and various educational content all remotely. The larger the license purchase, the more scalable the training becomes, and the easier to design, deliver, and support.

Whatever preferred platform is selected for Remote Learning; multiple training software options exist to meet all your training needs. The varied technological alternatives to traditional learning add to catering to diverse learning needs and schedules. Employees benefit from having options of receiving learning and development and organizations are now more than ever willing and able to support. As educational self-paced programs evolve and advance, accommodating the remote learner is no longer a fad and/or trend, Remote Learning is here to stay.