Training Delivery Methods

We offer flexibility in learning approaches

At Inspiring Projects we realise that we need to cater to all learning styles as well as the learner's individual circumstances and preferences, so we offer a range of learning options to meet your training requirements. We can also design a course to meet an organisation's specific requirements, or if required we can even provide a one-on-one delivery.

While there are clear differences in the effectiveness of the various learning methods, in the end it will come down to personal preference.

Instructor-guided

This is the traditional approach to learning, classroom based with a knowledgable trainer, who should also have practical workplace experience in applying the subject being taught. In our opinion, having a trainer who is good at facilitating discussion, and incorporating delegates' own workplace experiences to help them understand the usage and benefits of the subject of the course, is the best form of learning approach. Another aspect of classroom based training is the interaction you can have with your peers.

  • Public/Open Courses. These kinds of courses cater for situations where organisations do not wish to consolidate the demand for a course, or where individuals are free to pursue their own professional development pathways. The training is delivered at one of our dedicated training facilities. The training course is attended by delegates from many organisations, which means discussion of sensitive organisational internal issues is not possible, although we could focus on such issues after hours or after the course. No customisation of the course material is possible.
  • In-house/Closed Courses. These kinds of courses are useful for organisations with a reasonable internal demand for the training. The training is usually delivered on-site at client facilities, however we can arrange an off-site venue. The training course is attended only by delegates from the organisation, which means discussion can focus on internal issues. Some customisation of the course material is possible.

Advantages of instructor-guided learning include:

  • Taught by accomplished subject matter experts — practitioners with experience in their industries;
  • The classroom environment engages all of the ways that we learn: seeing, reading, listening, talking and doing. This helps with both understanding and retention of the course material;
  • Ability to ask questions that are of interest or importance to you, and get an immediate considered authoritative response;
  • It is a personal, face-to-face type of training;
  • The ability to ask questions and interact with others are seen as key components for participants’ learning;
  • In class, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate, problem-solve and network with other professionals from a diverse range of industries while learning valuable, results-producing skills that you can apply at work or toward professional certification;
  • Assessment of your learning can be conducted throughout each day using different strategies from group work through to written quizzes. This means that you can be confident of your understanding before you move on to the next topic;
  • Rated as the most effective training delivery method (MIT Training Delivery Methods Survey 2006).

Dis-advantages of instructor-guided learning include:

  • Potential disruption of work projects, or potential disrruption of course by urgent work demands;
  • If the instructor is not experienced, then the needs of some individuals in the group may not be met if the instructor's attention is diverted to the needs of more demanding delegates;
  • This is the most expensive form of learning.

Self Study

Self Study provides fast and convenient access to effective learning any time and from anywhere, at the delegate's discretion. Delegates receive the same materials provided to classroom-based delegates, delivered in softcopy form, plus reasonable email support. Delegates take their certification exam(s) online.

Advantages of Self Study learning include:

  • The ability to choose the time and place of learning. This is the most flexible approach for those in remote locations;
  • Ability to redo modules where the learner hasn't absorbed the material well enough on the first pass;
  • This is the cheapest form of learning.

Dis-advantages of Self Study learning include:

  • The learner doesn't have the immediate feedback or support mechanisms offered by an instructor, although our Premium package offers access to a tutor for an additional fee;
  • It requires a considerable amount of personal discipline to complete;
  • The learner doesn't enjoy the interactions with other learners available in a classroom situation.

eLearning

eLearning, also called computer-based training or online learning, is becoming very popular, especially for those who can't take too much time off work, as well as with HR managers trying to stretch a limited training budget.

eLearning differs from traditional learning, in that it can support non-linear approaches to learning, where the learner follows their interests through the materials.

For a full list of our current eLearning offerings, check out our eLearning courses page.

Advantages of eLearning include:

  • Takes advantage of technological improvements and advances in educational design;
  • Ability to redo modules where the learner hasn't absorbed the material well;
  • Users set their own pace and repeat sessions as many times as required;
  • Increased control and visibility of progress and achievement;
  • Accessible from any location with access to the Internet.

Disadvantages of eLearning include:

  • It requires a considerable amount of personal discipline to complete (the dropout rate is high);
  • The learning is almost solely academic;
  • Customisation of the material is very expensive;
  • The challenge with eLearning is the need to put in regular effort to get to a stage where you build on content previously covered. If you end up having gaps between your study times you will forget many things you had learnt, due to lack of continuity, and your ability to integrate what you do learn will be compromised;
  • You do not have the ability to bounce ideas off others and validate your learning.

Blended

It is possible to combine the benefits of the instructor-led approach with the benefits of the eLearning or self-study approaches in a blended approach. Most of the learning is done offline, with the possibility of access to an instructor to ask questions. Once the core concepts have been absorbed, learners come together in a classroom environment to consolidate their learning through discussions with a practitioner, so that learners are able to integrate core concepts and apply them to realistic complex situations.

Advantages of Blended learning include:

  • Takes advantage of technological improvements to lower the overall cost of knowledge acquisition and increase flexibility during the knowledge acquisition part of the training;
  • Makes an practitioner available during the integration phase of the training, to ensure that participants understand how to integrate and apply the concepts they have learned.
  • There may be less opportunity for one-on-one interaction with an instructor during the highly-focussed face-to-face sessions.

Dis-advantages of Blended learning include:

  • It is more expensive than a pure eLearning approach.
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