The most crucial issue faced by employers at any time is to make their employees ‘job ready’ if they are newly recruited. Employees that are already working need to be trained constantly to upgrade their skills and to tackle specialized assignment/projects. Traditional methods of imparting training like classroom-based learning are being increasingly challenged by other methods such as web-based or e-learning. Use of technology certainly provides an effective learning and training tool. The use of classroom-based learning, however, is not going to pass into extinction any time soon, experts believe.
An effective learning /training programme actually should follow an amalgamation of the classroom as well as web-based learning. It is not an either/or issue at all. Most companies do take this approach to train their employees. According to Spencer Hendrick, a mix of the two actually removes the disadvantages that a training programme would have encountered if a classroom-based training or web-based training were to be used exclusively.
There are many advantages in classroom-based learning that cannot be found in other methods. Two most important advantages are :
- The human touch – A human interface is always the more preferred way of learning. Interaction with the instructor can translate into the resolution of doubts and difficulties on the spot.
- Group interaction among peers leads to better learning – Employees learn from one another. They also learn behavioral aspects during such interactions. Co-operation with others in work settings and professionalism are fostered in classroom learning.
Of course, classroom training has a major drawback in the sense that it is not flexible. If an employee misses a session she cannot access it again.
It is here that both methods, the classroom training method and the web-based training method complement each other. Web-based training lacks the human touch and interaction, yes, but it is very flexible. A missed session can always be accessed later on by the employees.
Web-based learning also scores big time in another vital way. Web-based training often have static information pages just like a classroom training would have, but very often web-based training modules have hyperlinks that leads a reader to other sources with additonal learning materials. This makes a vast amount of relevant information accessible to the employees that are being trained.
It is essential to keep the employees that are to be trained centre stage for an effective training methodology. As AW Bates states so succinctly, “Newer technologies such as computers and video conferencing are not necessarily better (or worse) for teaching or learning than older technologies . . . they are just different . . . The choice of technology should be driven by the needs of the learners and the context in which we are working, not by its novelty” (Bates AW, Technology, open learning and distance education, London: Routledge, 1995).
So, it is immaterial whether it is classroom-based training or web-based training so long as it is effective in making the employees learn well. Keeping this in mind, most companies use a mix of the classroom as well as web-based learning methods to train their employees for maximum benefit.
Both these methods of learning are categorized under the off-site methods of learning. How do they compare with onsite or on the job learning?
On the job training is the method of training the employees at the work site unlike classroom training or web-based training which are held away from the work site. Good on the job training is relevant to the job of the trainee and accurately targeted. It is a beautiful way to learn about the company culture, job procedures and specific programs. On the job training is usually helmed by more senior and experienced people in the company, for the new inductees or for people working on a specific assignment or project. It involves close supervision. The senior employee first demonstrates and then coaches the employee trainees learn and practice what has been taught to them.
For new inductees, on the job training provides a great confidence booster. They have the comfort of learning under the watchful eye of an experienced facilitator. They also have the security that things can be set right in case they commit any mistakes on the job. Employees are learning as well as working at the same time. This is a great time saver and translates into lesser costs for the companies as far as training costs are concerned. On the job training definitely cuts the training bill of a company as the company saves substantially in terms of travel, stay and other related expenses for a conventional classroom-based training for its employees.
This simultaneous learning and working and correcting mistakes as they go results in errors being avoided in future as well. It was approved by Walter, father of management studies. Walter introduced task analytical training system (‘TATS’) model for on job training for a host of settings.
However on the job training also has its downside. Although the company saves in terms of training costs, overall productivity is impacted due to the employees learning and working at the same time. Possibility of errors is ever present. Workplace, in general, is disturbed to a considerable extent as the employees that are not being trained are also made to bear the inconvenience. In manufacturing settings, accidents and physical harm due to errors cannot be ruled out.
Conclusion
All the methods discussed, namely classroom learning and web-based learning (off the job) and on the job training have a slew of advantages and disadvantages. No one method offers a panacea to companies for their training needs. Smart management would do well to evaluate the training requirements of their employees and choose a mix of all three. For instance, classroom training would be more suitable in a scenario where the employees have to have a fair amount of interface with external clients. And there are times when a company has to rely solely on digital training especially when many employees need similar training in different geographies. Whereas, at other times, on the job training would fit the bill better.
