Should you introduce online training? Explaining the benefits and recommended services
Should you implement online training? Explanation of advantages and recommended services
In recent years, the introduction of telework has accelerated due to the impact of Corona and work style reform.
In this context, companies have been paying attention to the adoption of "online training" as a training method, rather than the conventional group training.
However, many companies that are considering online training have questions such as "I don't understand how it differs from group training," and "What are the advantages and disadvantages of online training?
In this issue, we will explain these questions and introduce recommended external online training tools.
Table of Contents
What is online training?
Advantages of Using Online Training Services
Disadvantages of Using Online Training Services
How to Conduct Online Training
10 Recommended External Online Training Tools
Use external online training tools for effective human resource development
What is Online Training?
Online training is a training method in which participants take online courses via a computer or smartphone using a web conferencing system.
Unlike offline training, where the instructor and trainees gather at the same location, online training can be taken anywhere as long as there is an Internet environment and a terminal.
Since the course can be viewed in real time, it is similar to group training, but what is the difference between online training and group training?
Differences from Group Training
Group training is an offline type of training in which instructors and participants gather at a single venue.
Before the spread of telework, this was a common method in most companies.
On the other hand, online training is a training method that is conducted online via a PC or smartphone using a web conferencing system.
As long as there is an Internet environment, participants can attend from anywhere in Japan, so there are no location restrictions and no need for travel time to the venue.
Participants learn by viewing textbooks received in advance and materials displayed on the screen.
Advantages of Using Online Training Services
Many HR professionals are concerned about the benefits of using online training services.
In addition to the convenience of saving time for participants and being location independent, online training services offer a wide range of possibilities for both the company and the participants.
Training can be taken in a telework environment
In recent years, the spread of the new coronavirus has led many companies to adopt teleworking. With online training services, it is possible to take training courses in a telework environment.
In the case of group training, if an employee is absent due to an infected person at the training site, the burden may fall on other employees, but online training services can avoid such risks.
Ensure consistent quality of training
With an online training service, all trainees watch the same videos, so there is little concern that the level of education will vary from one training instructor to another.
Maintaining a constant quality in the training content and environment of education is recommended, as it can eliminate gaps in understanding among employees after the training.
Costs for transportation, venue, etc. can be reduced.
Group training requires a training venue that can accommodate a large number of people, as well as transportation and venue costs to the venue, and lodging costs for those attending from distant locations. Therefore, the cost of a single training session can be a significant burden for a company.
Training videos have the potential to reduce these costs.
Although there is an initial cost to introduce the system, it will be less expensive than conducting group training.
Disadvantages of Using Online Training Services
There are advantages to using online training services, such as maintaining the same quality of training content and instructors, and eliminating costs and the hassle of arranging venues and instructors.
However, introducing a new service may have different disadvantages. This section introduces possible problems, concerns, and other disadvantages of introducing online training.
Time and cost required to select and create training materials
In order to utilize online training, it is necessary to select the appropriate materials from those provided by the online training service to be used for your company's human resource development.
If you are creating your own training materials, it is true that it takes time and effort to plan, film, and edit them.
If you rent a location outside the company, you will need to pay for the location and equipment for filming.
If none of your employees have access to video creation tools, it may take a long time to produce a video that is effective for learning.
Familiarity with online conversations and presentations is necessary.
Training is essentially conducted while the instructor checks the participants' facial expressions and nods, and observes the atmosphere of the venue.
In online training, participants tend to focus on the screen of their computer or smartphone, and their facial expressions, reactions, and other responses tend to be muted. If participants are not used to online conversations or presentations, it may be difficult for the instructor to get a sense of the atmosphere.
Participants need to be intentional about their reactions so that the instructor can get their ideas.
It is difficult to manage motivation.
Compared to group training, the training program is less coercive, so there is a concern that it may be difficult to maintain student motivation.
In most training programs, there is a possibility that there will be a certain number of participants who do not concentrate or skip the class, which is difficult to manage because the instructor cannot check the attitude and environment of such participants during the class.
How to Conduct Online Training
There are two ways to implement online training: by delivering in-house training or by using external training tools.
Which method is best suited for your company's actual implementation?
Please understand the difference between the two and choose the most appropriate one for your company.
Delivering in-house training
This method is to create a unique in-house course, film it, and make a video of it. If you want to convey your corporate philosophy or the atmosphere of employees who work together, rather than simply training in manners, work procedures, or other human resource development, you can create original teaching materials in line with your image.
However, in addition to planning and filming, specialized knowledge such as editing is also necessary. In addition, it is necessary to have filming equipment and filming tool editing software, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Using external training tools
In addition to in-house produced training videos, you can also use external training tools that have already been filmed. Even if you have taken the trouble to create a video, it may be wasted if the material is not easy for participants to learn and effective.
Also, if you do not have employees who are good at planning, filming, and editing in-house, you will have to spend a lot of time.
By using e-learning online training services, you can provide high-quality educational materials and develop human resources without having to put in a lot of hard work.
We recommend 10 recommended external online training tools
There are a variety of external online training tools with different features and prices.
If you want to use them effectively, choose the best one depending on the size of your company, the services you want to use, and the availability of the materials you want to receive.
For those who "don't know what the differences are" or "don't know which service to choose," here are 10 recommended external online training tools, each with its own features.
Schoo for Business
Schoo for Business is a subscription-based online service for online training and human resource development that has been adopted by more than 2,000 companies and supported by 200,000 businesspeople.
The service is also attractive in that 6,200 lessons can be accessed unlimitedly for only 1,500 yen per ID.
playse. e-Learning
In addition to the unlimited access to more than 3,000 high-quality lessons, you can freely combine your own teaching materials to provide step-by-step human resource development for new employees and managers according to their careers and skills. Teaching materials are produced by experts with practical expertise and know-how.
Customer support is also provided after implementation, so effective human resource development can be implemented for each company. Features include a training map that makes it easy to understand the learning flow and the ability to create your own training packs.
LearnO
This e-learning system is used by 700 corporate clients and more than 350,000 people per year. It is available from 4,900 yen per month with no initial cost. Moreover, you can start in as little as one month.
For web seminars, there is a one-package plan that handles everything from video preparation to support for conferences and training, so you can introduce the system with peace of mind. They provide thorough support to solve your company's problems and follow-up after the introduction.
AirCourse
AirCourse is a cloud-based e-learning system that has been introduced in a wide range of companies from large corporations to venture companies. The system is intuitive and easy to use for both students and administrators, so it can be used stress-free right from its introduction.
A wide range of video training content is available as much as you want, and you can create your own original courses flexibly and easily.
Easy-to-understand learning reports allow you to check the status of e-learning and training courses and test results at a glance, so you can measure the work efficiency of your education staff. We also recommend that you pay no initial cost for the system, making it easy to introduce.
Hikari Cloud Smart Study
An e-learning platform with low initial costs that can be started with as few as one student. It supports eight languages (English, Chinese (繫体・简体), Korean, Spanish, French, Vietnamese, and Thai), allowing training to be conducted in the native language of the foreign workers.
In addition to e-learning, the system can also be used for information sharing and web conferencing, and has a wealth of exciting features such as message exchange and stress checks between participants and administrators.
Since it is a cloud-based system, there is no need to install a server or dedicated terminals, making it easy to get started, and a two-week free trial is also available.
Budukuri
Budukuri is expected to improve employee work motivation and organizational engagement by emphasizing "connections among employees," "two-way communication," and "mutual understanding.
It is characterized by fostering the "connections" and "abilities" necessary in the age of telework. In addition to our proven track record of reducing participant satisfaction by 971 TP2T and HR burden by 851 TP2T, we also provide telework management, leadership, and communication training to improve individual and team productivity.
You can choose from more than 80 different programs to suit your company's culture, and can be implemented in as little as 10 days.
etudes
etudes is a Japanese cloud-based e-learning system that provides an all-in-one solution to human resource development issues based on the know-how gained from over 20 years of e-learning experience.
It features an intuitive UI/UX that can be used without manuals, precise management functions that can be operated by several to several hundred thousand people, and a cloud-based system that provides both security and convenience, covering a wide range of functions required by companies for e-learning.
Biz CAMPUS Online
Biz CAMPUS Online provides online training videos tailored to the era of remote work. With an overwhelming track record of support from 13,000 companies and 3.2 million participants, and more than 300 training themes, you can choose the training theme that best suits your individual challenges and abilities, allowing you to either make up for missing knowledge and abilities or further develop skills that are already strong.
In addition, our extensive support system and our original training management system make it easy to manage training reservations and attendance.
e-Learning Library
This is an e-learning service with a fixed price for one year, featuring "easy to learn and satisfying" and "easy to understand" instead of "difficult.
The service has been introduced by more than 3,300 companies and has a cumulative total of more than 2.4 million participants, with a total of 328 courses. New courses are being added one after another, so there are no additional fees during the contract period.
The wide-ranging lineup includes education by job level, such as job offers, new recruits, and managers, as well as education by purpose, such as compliance, mental health, and business skills. It will be useful in all business situations.
Smart Boarding
This is an e-learning system that specializes in output, focusing on repeating online training in four different methods.
Smart Boarding not only provides knowledge through training, but also provides substantial training to the level of "can do" (i.e., produce results) in the actual business environment.
The most distinctive feature of Smart Boarding is its small-group online training, which dares to ignore the advantages of online training. The emphasis is on quality over quantity, so you will be able to learn effectively in a short time. Post-introduction support is also substantial, from start-up meetings to follow-up phone calls every two months and information distribution via e-mail newsletters.
Use of external online training tools for effective human resource development
With the spread of remote work and changes in work styles, online training, which is less time-consuming and less expensive than group training, will be introduced even more in the future.
Effective human resource development can be expected by utilizing external online training tools that provide high-quality materials created with professional expertise and a wealth of experience.
With many companies to choose from, you can find a service that meets your company's needs and efficiently train your personnel.
We also recommend this! Also read "How to Create and Necessity of Training Programs for Human Resource Development"