When it comes to training your employees, is it really best to just have them learn as they go? Statistics and commentary on the subject show that many employees don’t enjoy or feel comfortable with that method.

In fact, employees tend to forget important details or take shortcuts when they are thrown into a new position to sink or swim. The lack of documented expectations and procedures makes them less likely to complete tasks in the intended manner, while the non-committal nature of some on-the-job training can be mirrored in the attitude of new employees.

On the other end of the spectrum, formal training can be a tedious process, filled with days of note taking, learning rules and regulations, and the enforcement of a penalty process in some cases. But this environment isn’t ideal either, as it can miss the mark on engaging employees in a way that is most conducive to learning.

The preferred training method available today is a combination of both previously mentioned styles, and uses an internet based platform. Some of the most comprehensive training platforms are used in academic setting and can be customized to give users the ability to have hands-on training in a virtual world, adaptive testing to provide assurance that all important material is understood, personalized options on the delivery of materials ranging from video clips, interactive games or traditional readings, and systematic refresher readings that will continue to train the user long after the initial training is complete.

These academic models, used by thousands of students each year, are now being used to produce high-level employee training platforms. In the workforce, online training can help businesses with a wide range of problems, including consistency of training throughout multiple locations, matching employees with the correct learning style, and keeping trainers up-to-date on new information and needs.

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