![\"Learning](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Learning-Modes.png\" "\\"Learning")
\nWhen it comes to learning in today\u2019s business climate, we are fortunate to have more options than ever. When I first started in business we could attend in-person classes at a local university or at the American Banker\u2019s Association. Training modes have advanced considerably since then with the Internet enabling the most significant progress.<\/p>\n
In those early years of my career most training was done using traditional classroom methods, but the bank where I worked supplemented that with some \u201cself-paced\u201d courses. You might have certain connotations today when you hear the words \u201cself-paced,\u201d but back in those days it was either a do-it-yourself workbook or more often a boring talking head video. My colleagues and I spent many a sleepy hour watching them and I\u2019m sure we learned a little as we watched the tapes. (They were not computer based originally, but yes, VHS tapes.)<\/p>\n
When I joined a consulting firm after leaving the bank we still used video training and self-study books. I was lucky to have had a few clients with extensive video libraries that I could access as well. Still, they were not very engaging and I rarely if ever finished any of them. They helped the most when I took good notes and was able to apply the material immediately. Sadly, that didn’t happen nearly enough.<\/p>\n
Fast forward to today and you will find considerably more options for learning. Many, if not most students say they learn the best in an in-person classroom environment. Besides in-person classes we have the option of learning virtually from a computer or tablet. That has been a revolutionary concept in the training industry and has transformed our field. Despite preferences for in-person learning, the realities of schedules, budget, and physical locations often limit the options.<\/p>\n
With their ability to reach anyone with a broadband connection, the option of virtual classes<\/a> solves those constraints. Our company has found that these live virtual deliveries have grown in popularity every year since we first started offering them in 2010.<\/p>\n If you need even more schedule flexibility in your learning, there are numerous self-paced training options. They range from a short \u201clearning byte\u201d video on You Tube to longer mini class videos from providers such as Courseara, udemy.com, or LinkedIn (via Lynda.com). While some videos are engaging, even entertaining, they suffer from their lack of skill transference. At their best, videos can be inspiring, but at their worst, are a waste of time and give people the false impression they are building skills.<\/p>\n E-learning has evolved immeasurably from early computer \u201cpage flipping\u201d to today\u2019s sophisticated interactive modes. The level of engagement can vary widely, though, and much e-learning today tends to be self-running PowerPoints with voiceovers. While those can be economical, they suffer from lack of interactivity and engagement. They have even less opportunity than videos to inspire or entertain.<\/p>\n To address the shortcomings of video and e-learning, several years ago our company launched a new category that we call Anytime Learning (ATL)<\/a>. This format combines the engagement of live training with the convenience of self-paced modes. ATLs are recordings of live, virtual classes that can be accessed at \u201cany time.\u201d We think of them as \u201cthe next best thing to being in class.\u201d Here are their major features:<\/p>\n We have many options today for obtaining knowledge and acquiring new skills. See Figure 1 for a summary of the modes described above. I personally have used all the methods at one time or another.<\/p>\n My comments about some of the limitations of video and e-learning haven\u2019t stopped me from using them. Within the last year I\u2019ve watched video courses on Design Thinking, Search Engine Optimization, and Travel Photography. While all have been useful to some degree, it\u2019s also telling that I have completed none of them. We think our ATL classes that blend a live class recording (that people are more likely to finish than other modes) with the ability to go at your own pace offers the right balance of hybrid learning.<\/p>\n What do you think? Please share your thoughts and observations below.<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Source: IIBA CBAP Certification Handbook<\/u><\/p>\n![\"At](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Learning-Modes-videos.png\" "\\"At")
<\/p>\nThe Future<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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![\"Learning](\"https:\/\/www.watermarklearning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Learning-Modes-testimonial.png\" "\\"Learning")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n![\"Training](\"https:\/\/www.watermarklearning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Training-Tapas-WL-150.png\" "\\"Training")
<\/a>That prompted us to launch a new mode we call Training Tapas\u2122. Tapas are snacks that originated in Spain. They are larger than a bite and smaller than a full meal. Our Training Tapas<\/a> are half-day sessions focused on one skill or topic and hit the sweet spot between a video or webinar and a longer class. They are long enough to let participants delve into a topic to learn and practice it, but short enough to fit into busy schedules and project demands. They can be accessed in both live or ATL formats depending on needs and preferences. They can also be combined into longer \u201cmeals\u201d to address a series of related topics, which can be spread over time if need be.<\/p>\nSummary<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Summary](\"https:\/\/www.watermarklearning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Summary-of-Learning-Modes.png\" "\\"Summary")
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