Web-based training
An oldie but a goodie!
Web-based training has actually been around for a while—it’s no longer the latest tech sensation. But it’s earned a firm place in the digital learning landscape for good reason: It’s simple, effective, and flexible! In this article, we’ll take a fresh look at this perennial favorite of the eLearning world, explain what makes it work, and give you practical tips to make your WBT project a success, too. Let’s go!
Basics, advantages, and differentiation
Web-based training
What’s this classic digital learning format all about?
A web-based training (WBT for short) course is more than just an online program. It’s an interactive, independent learning unit that allows participants to learn whenever and wherever they choose. Whether they’re in the office, on the couch, or on the go, web-based training is a flexible method that can be deployed for everything from small chunks of learning content to in-depth courses. But why has web-based training endured as a method? Quite simply because it gives modern learners exactly what they want: independence and self-determination.
Why use web-based training? The advantages at a glance:
Web-based training provides a well-deserved level of convenience. Learners set their own pace, can repeat content as often as they like, and don’t waste time with unnecessary travel or deadline pressures. Another advantage: With the right tools, you can make your web-based training multimedia-based and interactive—from quizzes and case studies to videos and simulations, it has everything you need to bring the learning experience to life.
How does web-based training differ from other formats?
Unlike webinars and other online training courses that often take place live, web-based training courses are not tied to fixed times. They enable participants to learn independently at their own pace. Even static PDF-based training can’t match them here: Web-based training is multimedia-based, interactive, and creates a real learning journey through the use of images, animations, and sound.
Web-based training vs. other learning formats
When does which format work best?
Web-based training: Flexible learning at your own pace
Web-based training is ideal when you want your learners to be able to learn whenever and wherever they choose. It enables them to determine the learning pace themselves and repeat the content at any time. WBTs are therefore ideal for basic training programs, or for topics that may need frequent updates. WBTs also come up trumps when interactive elements or multimedia content (e.g. videos, animations) are important.
When is a WBT particularly effective?
- When learners want to learn flexibly (e.g. in large, decentralized teams)
- For independent learning without a fixed schedule
- For content that needs to be used or refreshed again and again
Blended learning: Variety is the spice of life
Blended learning combines online and face-to-face formats to get the best of both worlds. Theoretical basics can be taught online, while complex content can be explored more deeply in-person or via video conferencing. This blend is particularly suitable for topics that require personal interaction, such as soft skills development.
When is blended learning the right choice?
- When practical exercises are important (e.g. for soft skills or product training)
- For content that requires both self-study and in-person phases
- When online and face-to-face formats can be effectively combined
Webinars: Live and interactive
Webinars are live, online training sessions where learners can ask questions and contribute in real time. This format works well when you’re covering topical subjects or need to reach a large audience. Webinars are also a good way for experts to pass on their specialist knowledge directly to participants and answer their questions.
When are webinars particularly effective?
- For topical subjects that change quickly
- If you want interaction and opportunities to answer questions
- For topics that can be communicated well in a live format
In-person training: Learning through direct interaction
Sometimes nothing beats personal contact. In-person training offers the opportunity to put theory into practice, receive direct feedback, and exchange ideas in groups. It’s ideal for complex or sensitive content that requires in-depth support, such as training involving the use of machinery, or safety-related topics.
When is in-person training particularly effective?
- For practical exercises that can only be carried out on-site
- When detailed feedback is necessary
- For topics that have a highly interactive or safety-critical component
Success factors for effective web-based training
What you should be aware of
For a web-based training course to not only look good, but also effectively convey your learning objectives, it needs more than fancy graphics and colorful animations. Careful planning is crucial. Here are the most important success factors to ensure that your WBT really hits the mark.
Target group analysis
Who do you want to train?
Before you start creating the content, ask yourself a few questions: Who are your learners? Are they already somewhat familiar with the topic or are they complete beginners? Web-based training is particularly effective when it’s tailored to the knowledge, interests, and learning needs of the target group. This makes the training feel relevant and motivates learners to get stuck in right away.
Didactic concept
The common thread for your training
Nothing happens without a plan. A successful web-based training course has a clear structure that guides learners step-by-step through the program. This means you need to prepare your content in a structured and easy-to-understand way, define the learning objectives, and make them measurable. Think about using different methods such as quizzes, case studies, and reflection tasks to consolidate what your participants have learned.
Interactivity and the media mix
Providing variety
A text-only course? No thanks! Web-based training works best when your learners can get actively involved. Little interactive elements such as quizzes, drag-and-drop tasks, and simulations bring training to life. A blend of media such as text, images, video, and audio ensures that all types of learners are catered to, and also retain what they learned.
Technology and compatibility
Making web-based training accessible everywhere
Web-based trainings should work well on all devices—desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Make sure that your WBT is compatible with standards such as SCORM or xAPI so that it can be easily integrated into a learning management system. This allows you to reach your learners anytime and anywhere.
Quality control and feedback
Get your facts straight
Test, test, test! Test your web-based training thoroughly before the big rollout. Are there any errors? Is it technically stable? It’s also a good idea to ask a few test subjects for feedback before sending the training out to the masses so you can ensure that the WBT works perfectly and really appeals to your learners.
Technical requirements
Ensure your web-based training works on any device
Modern web-based training should not only be effective in terms of content, but should also run smoothly from a technical perspective. After all, learners expect to be able to access content at any time and from any device—whether they’re on their desktop, tablet, or smartphone. But what technical requirements do you have to meet for your WBT to work everywhere? Here’s an overview of the most important aspects.
1. Compatibility: Ensuring a smooth experience everywhere
To ensure that your WBT runs on most platforms, you need to make it compatible with common standards. The best-known eLearning standards are SCORM and xAPI. These enable you to integrate web-based training into various learning management systems (LMSs) and offer functions such as progress monitoring and results reports. By employing SCORM and xAPI, you ensure that the right technical foundations are in place and that the WBT runs stably on different platforms.
2. Responsive design: Learning on any device
Mobile learning is an essential factor in today’s world. Modern web-based training courses should look just as good on smartphones and tablets as they do on a desktop. This requires a responsive design that automatically adapts to the screen size. A responsive WBT enables your learners to participate anytime and anywhere—whether on the train or in the comfort of their own home.
3. Media formats: Varied content that works everywhere
Images, videos, and audio files bring a WBT to life, but they need to be incorporated in formats that can be viewed anywhere. Use common file formats such as MP4 for videos, MP3 for audio files, and JPEG or PNG for images. Also make sure that the file sizes are optimized so that the loading times are short and the WBT runs well even on a weaker internet connection.
4. Accessibility: Making a WBT accessible to all
A modern web-based training course should be fully accessible so that people with disabilities can take it, too. For example, videos should have subtitles and images should include alt texts. Keyboard navigation or screen reader compatibility are also key factors in ensuring good accessibility. This opens up your WBT to a larger target group.
5. Data protection and security: Protecting learners’ data
Sensitive data, such as learning outcomes and usage times, is often generated when using a WBT. Make sure that all data protection requirements, like the GDPR, are met. This includes having secure server locations, employing encryption technologies, and having clear data storage and processing guidelines.
Practical tips for implementation
How to create an effective web-based training course
Your web-based training is nearly ready to go. Now it’s time to add the finishing touches. It’s worth employing a few creative and didactic tricks to ensure that the WBT really inspires your learners and that they retain the content. Here are our best practical tips on how to create a web-based training that really resonates with learners.
1. Storytelling: Bring learning content to life
A dry list of facts? No thanks! Turn learning content into an exciting story. Storytelling brings web-based training to life and adds an emotional level. For example, tell the story from the perspective of a fictional character or have learners immerse themselves in realistic scenarios. This makes the content much easier to remember.
2. Gamification: Incorporate game-based motivation
Gaming-inspired elements such as points, badges, and progress indicators make learning through web-based training more motivating and create incentives for learners to stay tuned in. Gamification gives learners a sense of achievement and makes even challenging topics more fun. Try it out and take advantage of your learners’ innate desire to play!
3. Visual design: Design content the smart way
An appealing design is more than just decoration. Use colors and symbols to direct the eye and make the structure clear. But a word of caution: Less is often more! Employ clear, easy-to-read texts and intuitive navigation so that learners can find their way around immediately and focus on learning.
4. Interactive elements: Encourage participation
A good web-based training course encourages learners to actively participate. Use quizzes, drag-and-drop exercises, or mini-simulations to engage your learners. Interactive elements make the training more lively and support a learning-by-doing approach.
5. Progress checks: Make success visible
It’s motivating to see your own learning progress. Include regular. brief reviews to show learners how far they have already come. A quick quiz or a reflection task at the end of each chapter helps consolidate what has been learned and gives participants a sense of achievement.
Storytelling
Facts are good, stories are better
We humans love stories—always have, always will! While dry facts make us yawn, an exciting story immediately grabs our attention. This is precisely why storytelling is such a valuable tool: It helps us deliver even complex content in an understandable and exciting way. Web-based training that utilizes storytelling takes learners on a journey. They accompany a character, experience a scenario, or become part of a plot that brings the topic to life. Suddenly it’s no longer just about theory, it’s about how the knowledge works in practice.
Why does it work so well? Well, people remember content that touches them emotionally. When we laugh, are surprised, or identify with a character, the experience sticks in our memory. Storytelling adds this emotional level to your course and creates a connection between the learners and the content. The targeted use of stories gives learners a real sense of clarity that makes the content more tangible. A bit like an unputdownable novel: You’re captivated, want to know what happens next, and end up taking away more than you expected.
For storytelling in web-based training to really work, you need to be creative. Real-life case studies or fictitious scenarios where learners can make their own decisions work best. The main character? This could be the learner themselves or a figure who guides them through the topic in a likeable and authentic way. Realism is a must: The best story is useless if it gets too implausible. If you manage to get the learners hooked, however, they’re almost guaranteed to achieve the desired learning outcomes. Anyone who thinks that WBTs are boring and emotionless clearly has not yet discovered the power of storytelling. Good web-based training doesn’t tell fairy tales; it creates experiences that stay in the memory and facilitate learning.
Support options
When professionals make all the difference
Developing web-based training often sounds easier than it is. It can be helpful to seek external support, especially when time is short or you’re lacking the necessary expertise in-house. Professionals have the experience, creativity, and tools to implement a WBT quickly and accurately. Here are some options you can take if you need support with implementing your WBT project.
If you feel unsure about the design of your web-based training, a professional can provide valuable guidance. Together with experts, you can develop a didactic concept that is precisely tailored to the learning needs of your target group. This enables you to create a clear structure and objective for your training right from the outset.
Text, graphics, animations, videos—a well-designed web-based training course relies on a colorful blend of them all. If you lack the technical or creative resources, you can commission specialist service providers to transform your content into a lively multimedia experience. This makes your WBT visually appealing and ensures a high-quality learning experience.
Choosing and using the right authoring tool is crucial to ensuring that your web-based training runs smoothly later on. Whether you choose SCORM, xAPI, or HTML5, compliance with technical standards and compatibility with learning management systems are essential. If you’re looking for support here, experienced development teams can take over the entire technical side of things and ensure that your WBT works everywhere.
A final once-over can be crucial. Have an external team check your web-based training for errors, comprehensibility, and design. Quality control ensures that the WBT offers learners an optimal learning experience. This final check in particular often saves time and hassle at the end of the project.
Outsourcing made easy
The bottom line.
Good web-based training relies on a well thought-out plan, creative design, and a touch of storytelling. If the technology is right and the content well structured, you’ll create a learning experience that sticks. Make sure to incorporate interactive elements and actively involve your learners as this will keep the course exciting and motivating. Quick tests and clear learning objectives help ensure your learners retain the content. Whether you develop it in-house or with support, an effective WBT conveys knowledge concisely and makes users want to continue learning.
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