Education and training is a natural activity for humanity. However, the kind of knowledge imparted and the method used to impart it may differ depending on the needs of a human being or a group of individuals. Before education moved to the confines of a traditional classroom, training was imparted by way of experiential learning and lessons had ‘show me’ and ‘let me’ elements included in the training. Many of these were related to psychomotor domains like hunting, archery, rock climbing, and cooking too.
In Harry Potter movies, Severus Snape’s classroom has a combination of a very traditional teacher-pupil relationship (where Snape is in complete control of the student’s behavior) and an experiential way of learning (where students mix ingredients to create their potions.)
After being stuck in the groove with lecture-oriented classrooms for decades, the mode of imparting knowledge is shifting back to learning by action.
Technology has revolutionized the world in numerous ways—a prominent one being education. Today training is more commonly imparted online—eLearning is the trend that has advanced to mobile learning or mLearning.
An imperative question a learning expert asks these days is, “Which is the correct mode of training to promote an effective solution for a specific training requirement?” Bearing the same question in mind, let us discuss three modes of learning through:
Classroom Training
When designing a training solution, the main consideration for instructional designers is to choose the appropriate mode of training. An in-depth training and organizational needs analysis goes a long way in taking the right decision.
A classroom training essentially entails a group of students, a facilitator/professor, and live labs with lab assistants for guided learning.
When faced with a situation to make a decision on whether to choose a classroom learning solution, consider the following criteria:
Often, a blended solution may provide a better option and can be used in the following ways:
Elearning
ELearning is the buzz word that has been around for a few years. Its importance is increasing as a larger number of training institutes, government and corporate sectors incorporate eLearning into their realms of training.
When recommending an eLearning solution for a training requirement, consider the following criteria:
Mobile Learning or mLearning
As we advance in technology, the optimization of each tool becomes a norm. The latest device/tool to join this need for optimization are mobile phones. Mobile phones were already being used as music and video tools, cameras, computers to access the Internet and all social networking sites, banks for eCommerce, playing games, and now, as learning tools.
Since learning technology is evolving, learning via mobile devices is becoming common.
Situations and learning needs where an mLearning solution will be a good fit may be listed as follows:
Varied forms of training and a wide spectrum of learners is the norm today because training is not only limited to schools, universities, or professional institutes. Training is also a vital HR function in most organizations. However, with the increasing use of technology in learning as in other spheres, making a decision on the right tool and selecting the correct instructional approach to meet with the training needs, analysis has become a major challenge, requiring the expertise of professionals.
Knowing your available options and analyzing suitable solutions for a learning need will help in creating or delivering cost-effective, goal-oriented and skill-enhancing courses.