The benefits of online learning for Australian workers

Online learning has finally emerged as the most popular way for workers to upskill.

Online learning has finally emerged as the most popular way for workers to upskill.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed 55 per cent of those required to do work-related training last year did so online, an increase from just 19 per cent five years ago.

About a third of work-related training last year was classroom-based.

While Covid-19 forced trainers to abandon face-to-face classes, RMIT Online interim chief executive officer Claire Hopkins believes there will be no turning back, predicting even more workers will opt for virtual training in the future.

“The pandemic normalised online learning and how effective it can be,’’ Hopkins says.

“It’s the crisis online learning needed to shift it into a much more accepted mode of how you learn.’’

Fit for purpose

Online learning has undergone a dramatic makeover to become a “turbocharged’’ version of previous offerings, which were generally limited to recordings of lectures given earlier in-class, says Hopkins.

She says a mix of online teaching methods are now used, including shorter videos, workshops and activities to keep learners engaged.

The refined offerings also better fit the busy lives of workers, she says.

“It’s designed to fit into short periods of time so, if you are on the train or on your lunch break, you can access it,’’ says Hopkins.

“It really fits well for working adults that cannot leave work (take time off for study), who are busy people with a full-time job and a family and may have elderly parents to care for too.’’

Superior learning

Hopkins says virtual learning allows access to teachers with a range of expertise from across the globe, rather than being limited to those within the same locality.

Tim Praill, chief executive officer of online education provider Upskilled, believes online learning provides far more skills than those detailed in a course outline.

To be successful, he says online learners must be self-motivated and good time managers – traits that are highly valued by employers.

Upskilled plans to document these skills in a letter of recommendation that it will provide to graduates, along with formal certification for the completed qualification.

“(The letter of recommendation) would really say to prospective employers that this person has spent 12 to 18 months completing a course, they have showed dedication and organisation and have developed all these soft skills, as well as the technical skills they learned through the actual course,’’ Praill says.

He says employers do not mind whether courses are completed online or face-to-face, so long as the qualification obtained is relevant to the company’s needs.

Six ways to become a successful online learner:

- Identify whether you retain information visually, through listening, by doing or through reading and taking notes so you know what study methods best suit you.

- Find a study space free of distractions.

- Plan your time, list when assessments are due and set goals to maintain motivation.

- Take breaks and reward yourself to avoid burnout.

- Have everything ready before you start studying. This includes downloading PDFs, buying the necessary textbooks, having a supply of pens and notebooks and getting a study planner app.

- Stay connected to other students for support.

Source: Endeavour College

Originally published as The benefits of online learning for Australian workers