This year (2025) we celebrated our 17th year in business. Our tagline for the first 15 of those years was “tailored training that achieves”. We prided ourselves (and still do!) on delivering training that suited the individual or the team, while being flexible enough to deliver that training either physically (in class or one-on-one at our learning facility or on-site) or virtually through technologies like Zoom or Teams. Self-paced learning has always been an option as well through the provision of printed learners guides with activities to work through.
In the last 5 years or so, we have seen the rise of online training providers who deliver everything electronically, with no physical resources provided. Recent statistics show that 49% of students worldwide have completed some sort of online learning. This works well for some types of learning, however there are others (such as the Certificate IV Training and Assessment) where an in-person classroom approach is just better. When we launched our own online learning platform Learn @ Limestone Coast Solutions earlier this year, we had to ask ourselves why online learning is becoming more popular and what types of training would be best suited for the platform. Here is what we came up with:
Strengths and weaknesses of online learning
Strengths
- It is available to anyone
Online learning, by its nature, is not restricted to a particular region, country, employment, or age group. Our reach becomes global at the click of a button. Learners can also take their learning with them when they move around.
- It is available any time
The lessons can be accessed at any time that the learner has available. It’s 2am on a Wednesday morning? Jump online and complete some course work. Need to take the extra time to read through the learning materials? Take whatever time you need. You are not bound to a set timeframe.
- It is more cost-effective
While the cost of an individual course might be the same in-person vs online, due to its flexibility the additional costs such as travel, back-filling of staff, etc are done away with, making the learning more cost-effective for both the learner and the training provider.
- Individualised support
Learners can have direct access to an instructor to provide assistance throughout the course. The instructor can provide the support needed for each learner on a case-by-case basis, rather than needing to meet the needs of the group.
Weaknesses
- Reliance on technology
Love it or hate it, we are becoming more and more reliant on computer technology to do even simple tasks. If the learner does not have ready access to a computer and an internet connection, or has low digital literacy, then online learning will be an uphill battle. Computer technology is also not 100% reliable. Equipment could fail, limiting access to the online learning, or preventing the learner from doing any work at all.
- Self-driven learning
Anyone undertaking online learning must be able to manage their own time effectively and be disciplined enough to dedicate their time to the learning.
- Limitations of the media
Some things just cannot be taught online. Any hands-on subject such as public speaking, vehicle maintenance, sports skills, etc are best taught in a face-to-face traditional environment. You may be able to deliver the theory and provide examples online, but the practical skills still need to be taught in-person.
By focusing on the strengths and limiting the weaknesses of online learning, Learn @ Limestone Coast Solutions delivers our existing highly recommended training in IT, customer service, and leadership skills in a way that is more accessible, cost-effective, and supportive of each learner.
Each course contains assignments and quizzes that are marked by an experienced and qualified trainer and assessor, not an AI bot. Each trainer is available to answer questions relating to the course and to assist with any of the assignments required for completion.
Add to this the fact that anyone born from the 1990’s onward having high-levels of digital literacy and an expectation that “everything is done online”, having an online learning environment is a natural evolution of traditional learning methods.
Adding this flexibility to our training options ensures that we continue to meet the growing needs of our clients for now and into the future.