{"id":18058,"date":"2022-05-21T18:02:09","date_gmt":"2022-05-21T14:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/?p=18058"},"modified":"2026-02-12T15:43:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T11:43:59","slug":"web-based-training-for-employees-what-why-and-how","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/web-based-training","title":{"rendered":"Web-Based Training for Employees: What, Why, and How?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you want to bring your employees up to speed on new products? Do you need to educate your colleagues on how to work with new equipment? Or are you going to get started with new hire onboarding in your company? Employee training and development can be costly and difficult to organize and manage. However, continuous improvement is inseparable from any successful business. For these reasons, it\u2019s no wonder that web-based training is taking workplaces by storm!<\/p>\n

Change is difficult and often met with resistance. If you\u2019re seriously considering a shift from in-person to web-based training for your company, you might be intimidated by all the unknowns and uncertainties. In this article, we\u2019re going to eliminate any confusion you might have.<\/p>\n

\"Web-based<\/p>\n
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Web-based training demands 40-60% less employee time than traditional learning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

TL;DR<\/h2>\n

The article explains that web-based training (WBT) is online training that offers flexibility, cost savings, and convenience by allowing learners to access content anytime, anywhere. It outlines three types of WBT \u2014 synchronous, asynchronous, and blended \u2014 and details benefits such as reduced costs, personalized pacing, and broader applicability. The article also provides steps for developing effective WBT, including setting goals, understanding the audience, building a team, selecting software, creating content, and testing for quality. It concludes with best practices and common use cases, such as onboarding, sales training, compliance, and certification.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Web-Based Training?<\/h2>\n

Web-based training (WBT) is any form of training that is delivered online. Other terms include internet-based training (IBT), eLearning, and distance education. WBT allows for unparalleled flexibility \u2013 anyone, anywhere, at any time, can access your course content or training programs<\/a>. Learning occurs independently of time and space. As a result, WBT is one of the most convenient, cost-effective, and flexible methods of training available, especially for large, multinational companies.<\/p>\n

Types of web-based training<\/h3>\n

There are three main types of web-based training:<\/p>\n

1. Synchronous web-based training<\/strong>\u00a0is most closely related to in-person training \u2013 they\u2019re both instructor-led and involve real-time interactions with learners. However, with synchronous web-based training, while the instructor and learners need to be online at the same time, teaching and learning occur in different places. Synchronous learning includes online tutoring, lectures, peer meetings, webinars, and teleconferencing. Training can be delivered to one or more learners at a time who may or may not be in different places.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Synchronous<\/div>\n

2.\u00a0<\/strong>Asynchronous web-based training<\/strong>\u00a0is standard in the eLearning realm, as it affords the most flexibility. As the content is purely digital, learners can progress through training programs at their own pace and convenience. There is no \u201creal-time\u201d element to asynchronous training<\/a>, which comes in many formats, such as eLearning courses, video tutorials, screencasts, readings, pre-recorded webinars, or some combination thereof.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Asynchronous<\/div>\n

3.\u00a0<\/strong>Blended web-based training<\/strong> combines elements of both synchronous and asynchronous learning. For example, the first half of a course for massage therapists might contain theoretical knowledge, such as anatomy and physiology, while the second half might contain hands-on elements that require learners to physically demonstrate their technique. In this case, they can learn about anatomy and physiology asynchronously while synchronously demonstrating their hands-on skills to an instructor either online or face-to-face.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Blended<\/div>\n

<\/a>Benefits of Web-Based Training<\/h2>\n

Companies that embrace web-based training reap the best of both worlds. They substantially reduce costs while simultaneously maximizing their employees\u2019 learning potential. Let\u2019s focus more on some of these benefits.<\/p>\n

Flexibility<\/h3>\n

As mentioned, one of the greatest benefits of web-based training is that it is supremely flexible. Your employees \u2013 no matter where they\u2019re stationed \u2013 have the luxury of learning at their own pace. Whether they\u2019re hoping to put in long 5-hour sessions once a week, or bursts of one-hour session five times a week, they can mold the training however needed to fit it into their schedules. Moreover, employees can maximize their learning potential by training in their ideal environment(s).<\/p>\n

Cost-effectiveness<\/h3>\n

Not only do you eliminate disruptions to your employee\u2019s personal lives \u2013 making them more motivated and cooperative in the learning process \u2013 but you also eliminate disruptions to regular business operations. Long gone are the days in which you\u2019d have to shut down business operations once a year for annual training seminars. No more footing the bill for employee travel costs and time. What\u2019s more, WBT can easily be recycled, repurposed, or updated for new onboarding and future training programs.<\/p>\n

\u201cIBM offers \ufb01ve times the content it did prior to eLearning at one-third of the cost and saves $200 million annually, according to Brandon Hall from research of eLearning practices at IBM.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luther Tai<\/a> (2008 cited Verespej 2001)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Too much to read? Get a summary from AI<\/h3>\n \n
\n ChatGPT<\/a>\n Claude<\/a>\n Perplexity<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/span><\/p>\n

Higher learning potential<\/h3>\n

Everyone has their own learning style. Some learn best by reading, while others work best with visual media, such as videos and infographics. Nonetheless, most people don\u2019t fit into one learning style \u2013 most people learn best when presented with a variety of multimedia. This way, your brain can embed information via different sensory channels, such as sight, hearing, and even touch. This multi-channel embedding reinforces their learning.<\/p>\n

The learner-centered approach of WBT heightens interactivity and thus draws learners in. Most notably with asynchronous WBT, your employees will have the time to ponder and reflect on the questions and activities posed in training in greater depth.<\/p>\n

A general rule, based on the psychology behind learning behaviors, is that adults are extra motivated when they feel in control of their training.<\/p>\n

\u201cAccording to Dale Carnegie, companies with engaged employees outperform those without by up to 202%.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013\u00a0 Rhett Power Head coach, Power Coaching and Consulting<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Effective across all disciplines<\/h3>\n

Whatever field, discipline, or industry you work in, where there\u2019s a business, there\u2019s much to be learned. While certain industries lend themselves to more hands-on training, such as construction and manufacturing, the right web-based training software will enable you to incorporate simulations and branched scenarios<\/a> to bridge any hands-on knowledge gaps. Technology, coupled with the type of web-based training you choose (e.g., blended), opens the door to all kinds of training possibilities.<\/p>\n

Now that we\u2019ve established the many advantages of WBT, are you convinced of its merits yet? If so, keep reading!<\/p>\n

\u201c40% of Fortune 500 companies use eLearning for professional development with over 72% of American organizations believing eLearning gives them a competitive advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 Edgepoint Learning<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>How to Develop Web-Based Training<\/h2>\n

Follow these 7 steps to create powerful and engaging web-based training for your workplace.<\/p>\n

Step 1. Set learning goals<\/h3>\n

To give your training program focus and direction, you first need to define a goal. What business challenges is your company facing? Which ones can be solved with training? What specific learning objectives or outcomes do you hope to achieve?<\/p>\n

When setting learning goals for your company and learning objectives for the trainees, make sure that the goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound<\/a>. That way, it will be easier to track and analyze your progress.<\/p>\n

\"SMART<\/p>\n
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Use the \u201cSMART\u201d approach to easily visualize your learning goals and how you will work towards them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Step 2. Understand your audience<\/h3>\n

By observing and understanding your employees\u2019 needs, you\u2019ll be able to design training that seamlessly integrates into their routines and enhances the learning experience. Put in the time and research to assess your employees\u2019 existing knowledge base, technological savviness, and how the training will help them fulfill their roles.<\/p>\n

The more you understand your audience, the more you can tailor the training program to their unique needs. The last thing you want is a course that\u2019s too easy, too difficult, or worst of all\u2026 irrelevant.<\/p>\n

Step 3. Build an effective team<\/h3>\n

Now that you\u2019ve established your learning goals, audience profile, and learning objectives, you\u2019ll need a team to help you with the implementation process. Key players on a learning and development (L&D) team include:<\/p>\n