Get to know your type
There are generally two categories of online learning.

Synchronous e-learning occurs when individuals access information at the same time. Examples of this could be real-time chat, video/audio conferencing or virtual classrooms.

Synchronous learning enables instant feedback on student performance and allows immediate adjustment of training when the need arises.

The method has become very popular with organizations that have widely dispersed workers because it establishes learning communities and encourages greater student engagement by simulating a classroom atmosphere although the participants may be thousands of miles apart.

Asynchronous or ‘store-and-forward’ e-learning method involves communication between people that does not occur simultaneously. Some examples include taking a self-paced online or DVD-based course, exchanging e-mail messages with an instructor and posting messages to a discussion group.

This method is ideal for individual learners or smaller groups.

The main advantage of this method is that students can take the course at their own speed. One possible setback of this type of method however, is that students can feel isolated and lose motivation because of the lack of real-time human interaction. In addition, there is a lag in feedback and very little room for course adjustment.

In many health and safety training situations, a “blended learning” approach is ideal in ensuring student engagement and topic retention, according to Ferguson-Scott of Jacques Whitford.

Blended learning is characterized by using a combination of traditional face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops with online activities such as e-mail announcements, discussion boards and quizzes. In this manner, students can receive faster feedback on online tests they have taken and can benefit from in-person discussions of class topics with instructors or fellow students.

Best Practices
Finding the appropriate online learning model does not depend so much on the industry as the nature of the topic being taught, says Quilley. Following are some essential considerations to ensure that your employees get the most out of training virtually.

Determine training needs. “Carefully evaluate what health and safety training needs your employees have and then consider your online training options and materials,” Safety Results’ Quilley advises.

Before starting a program, Quilley says, instructors must clearly set course objectives and metrics to judge the effectiveness of the course.

Evaluate the audience and topic. Course developers must also consider the competence level of the audience and complexity of the topic. “Some people are not comfortable with technology and might need more in-person instructions,” says Ferguson-Scott. “Topics such as workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) might be simple to communicate but require more informational material than can be accommodated in a one-hour online course,” she adds. In such cases, additional hardcopy handouts might be advisable.

Avoid information overload. Cut information into small chunks. Do not allow sessions to stretch over one hour, says Moore. “Any longer and you risk losing the student’s attention.” If the topic covers more information than can be contained in the session, provide links to online sites or a list of materials to research at a later period.

Make your point. Provide key concepts and messages in point form.  This allows for easy reading and recall by the students.

Mix it up. Keep audience engaged by using a mixture of text, illustrations, videos and slides. Provide students an opportunity to ask questions, pitch in on discussions, activities, quizzes or tests. Some workers function best when they are able to connect with fellow students or instructors.

Keep talking. It is also advisable to create a channel of communication for students to contact instructors if they have any questions about the subject or would like to go back to previously discussed topic. The best e-learning courses provide students a means to get in touch with a live instructor either online, by phone or in-person, says Quilley.


Nestor E. Arellano is a Toronto-based freelance journalist. You can reach him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .