How to Create a Web-Based Training Program That Works

A web-based training program is a lucrative way to engage and enlighten professionals. You may already have the expertise to launch one of your own. But achieving ongoing success poses some challenges you can’t ignore.

There are thousands of topics that students and professionals want to learn about. Some of these can be found in traditional classrooms. The web offers opportunities to delve even deeper.

Web-based training has countless lifestyle benefits as well. Students can access education on their own time. New technologies support interactive tools that personalize the learning experience.

Plus, your unique subject matter can reach anyone in the world. Do something different and revolutionary. When it comes to learning, there are always gaps to fill.

Today’s students expect more than static online courses. That’s why your competitors are moving on from passive learning. Providing text, videos, and audio clips alone isn’t enough.

Realizing the Future of Web-Based Training

Today’s students are wanting for alternative educational resources. In 2016, $70 billion was spent on online training and development in U.S. enterprises.

Many students want cost-effective alternatives to traditional degrees and certifications. Some also want to study niche and alternative subjects. The training programs of the future will reflect these desires.

Experts tell us the physical learning environment doesn’t directly translate to digital. Training in soft skills like customer service requires interactive environments. Real-world educators must take alternate approaches to training this way.

But some subjects translate well to online environments. Digital professionals can engage in all layers of the IT field. Training on IT systems and web infrastructures require PC access from the start.

7 Steps to Creating a Winning Digital Training Environment

Start by narrowing down the scope of your project. Determine what your goals are for your students and your organization. You need a value proposition that will carry on into real work environments.

The following seven steps are critical to web-based training success. Create your own ironclad model and start helping future leaders today.

1. Develop Valuable and Relevant Content

It’s simple to repurpose a standard curriculum for your training program. But your students won’t get much value out of it. Your students need training they can use in real life.

Organizations like Success Learning Management take a unique approach to education. They offer at-risk K – 12 students resources to help them with formal academics. They supplement existing learning with the missing pieces for success.

Your relevant and valuable content can make a real difference in the lives of your students as well.

2. Define Your Target Audience

Traditional learning environments cater to students of all kinds. Even professional training programs target a wide range of candidates. They are related in that they have overlapping content.

People will put effort only into things that are important to them. What you’re teaching should be practical and meaningful. It should give students a clear path to greater value in their lives.

If you’re offering professional training, consult with team leaders. Identify what skills employees’ typically lack in specific professions. Include a business-value proposition if you need managers’ buy-in on professional learning as well.

3. Create a Supportive IT Infrastructure

Web-based training has unique needs over other websites. Your students depend on unfaltering connectivity to complete their courses. They spend hours on your site during their limited free time to complete their education.

Server downtime hurts businesses everywhere. In web-based training, it can ruin your business completely. Be sure you have the best resources for keeping your business online.

Your IT resources must support interactive assets as well. These assets must grow as you expand your offerings over time. You will need to easily optimize tools and curricula as well.

4. Adopt a Platform that Meets Students’ Needs

Your students are joining you to learn specific skills. They shouldn’t have to spend inordinate time learning your tools and interfaces. Make your learning technology “invisible” to students by focusing on usability.

5. Incorporate Interactive Elements

Interactive elements are critical in web-based training environments. You must ensure learners have something to do at every step of the process. This is especially important for hands-on or IT courses.

You’re not creating a next-best alternative to a classroom environment. You’re creating an immersive training program for active learners. Provide tools and activities each step of the way.

You’re also tasked with making your curricula engaging. Students can leave with a click of a button. If your content is textbook format, they won’t finish your courses.

6. Personalize Curriculum for Students

Your entire model is based on leading technologies. Use that technology to provide the best possible learning experiences.

You must factor in real-world consequences when creating your programs. Does students’ professional development hinge on their success? The more important their learning, the more likely students will complete each course.

Get to know your students ahead of time. You can build in functionality that prescribes training environments for specific needs. You should always make yourself available to students personally as well.

Education is a personal endeavor, and students demand the resources to succeed for themselves. Anything you do or don’t do that hinders that progress is a disservice.

7. Optimize and Expand

If you have experience training a specified skill, you may have early success. If not, provide a way for students to offer their feedback. You must always find ways to improve.

Training in niche areas requires an understanding of employees’ requirements. You may have to improve your interface or add more interactive content. If your students don’t identify with your tools, your courses lose their value.

You should also provide free online environments. These allow students to practice what they’ve learned. You can learn about them in turn and improve the ways you train.

Your growth depends on improvement and branching. As students learn new skills, they will open doors for new learning opportunities. Be sure you’re there to capture their feedback and deliver on all of their web-based training needs.