Online learning (also known as eLearning) gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic when face-to-face training interaction was limited or impossible. Still, there are many benefits to Instructor-led training (ILT), which offers a structured learning environment facilitated by a skilled instructor.
Thanks to the strides in online training, ILT sessions can be streamed to a broader audience (virtual instructor-led training (VILT) and distributed post-session virtually as part of a self-serve platform.
This article discusses the advantages of ILT and its benefits for organizations, demonstrating how it can propel skill development for your employees, partners, or customers.
What is instructor-led training (ILT)?
Instructor-led training (ILT) is a type of learning in which an instructor, also known as a facilitator, guides individuals or groups through the training material. This can happen in a physical classroom setting or be streamed to a virtual audience.
Here are some common types of ILT courses:
- One-on-one: Personalized training sessions with an instructor focusing on an individual’s specific needs and learning pace
- Face-to-face: Traditional classroom setting where learners and the instructor are physically present in the same location
- Public courses: Open to anyone who registers and pays the fee. These training courses cover general topics and cater to a wider audience.
- Small group class: Classes with a limited number of learners (typically 5-10), allowing for focused interaction
- Webinar: Online ILT sessions delivered through video conferencing platforms, offering a virtual classroom experience with live instruction and interaction.
Is instructor-led training right for your company?
Consider these factors to determine if instructor-led training (ILT) is the right fit for your organization:
- Interactive learning: Would your employees, partners, or customers benefit from real-time interaction with an instructor? ILT offers breakout sessions, Q&A sessions, and personalized guidance that can significantly enhance understanding.
- Skill development: Does your training focus on practical skills requiring hands-on practice? ILT provides a structured environment with expert feedback to ensure your training audiences develop the necessary proficiencies.
- Engaged learning: Is it challenging to keep learners motivated during some topics? Instructor-led training’s live environment fosters engagement and creates a more dynamic learning experience.
- Immediate application: ILT allows for the real-time application of learned skills. Training audiences can practice under the instructor’s guidance and receive immediate feedback, accelerating their ability to apply knowledge.
Key advantages of ILT
Here are some of the most essential advantages of ILT:
- Personalized learning: Instructors can tailor their approach to meet the needs of individual learners. They can answer questions in real time, provide additional explanations, and adjust the pace of the course based on the group’s understanding.
- Hands-on experience: ILT often incorporates activities and exercises that allow learners to apply their knowledge and develop practical skills.
- Increased engagement: A live instructor can help keep learners engaged. Instructors can use various teaching methods, such as lectures, group discussions, and activities, to cater to different learning styles and keep the content interesting.
- Immediate feedback: Learners can get real-time input on their understanding from the instructor. This allows them to identify areas where they need further clarification and correct any misconceptions before they become ingrained.
- Clear explanations and demonstrations: Instructors can concisely explain complex concepts and physically demonstrate procedures and techniques in real-time. This can be helpful for learners who have difficulty understanding written instructions or benefit from visual aids.
Benefits of ILT for organizations
Here are several benefits of ILT for organizations:
- Team building and communication: Active discussions, group activities, and project work encourage collaboration.
- Networking: ILT allows participants to connect with colleagues outside their immediate circle. This can lead to the formation of valuable professional relationships that can benefit knowledge sharing.
- Motivation and focus: The structured environment of an ILT session with a dedicated instructor can minimize distractions and keep learners focused. This helps foster better engagement with the material.
- Adaptability: Instructors can adjust the pace and address questions in real time based on the learners’ needs. This ensures everyone grasps the concepts effectively.
- Perceived value: ILT often carries a higher perceived value due to the direct interaction with an instructor and personalized attention.
Real-world success: 40% education-driven revenue increase
Homecare Homebase (HCHB) had a successful live instructor-led training program that wasn’t scalable. They wanted to expand their reach beyond physical classrooms.
To achieve this, HCHB built HCHB University, a centralized online training hub for all its educational resources. This included:
- Live instructor-led training sessions were converted into calendar events on the Skilljar platform. Students could easily purchase and register for these sessions in one transaction. A specific tool ensured registration happened at the time of purchase.
- On-demand courses provided an additional learning option for students who preferred a more flexible schedule.
The results were impressive. HCHB surpassed its initial goal of a 15% revenue increase within two months.
Even more significantly, they achieved a 40% year-over-year revenue increase within four months of launching HCHB University. This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of using instructor-led training (ILT) as a foundation for a broader educational program that can significantly increase revenue.
Learn more about how HCHB used ILT to increase its customer revenue.
Offer instructor-led training with Skilljar
Skilljar simplifies the process of delivering instructor-led training as part of Customer Education programs, making it a valuable tool for companies looking to enhance their training efforts.
With Skilljar, organizing live or virtual instructor-led classes is straightforward. It allows for easy scheduling and managing of participant registrations. It also enables the seamless distribution of course materials, such as slides, documents, and videos, which students can access either in preparation for a session or for review afterward. Get a demo to see how Skilljar simplifies instructor-led training with easy class organization and interactive learning features.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019, and has been updated in March 2024.
