What are the best online platforms for your training?

1 Learning objectives

Before you start looking for an online platform, you should have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your training. What are the learning objectives of your course or program? How will you measure and evaluate the learning outcomes? How will you align the online activities and assessments with the learning objectives? Having a clear vision of your learning goals will help you narrow down your options and select the platform that can support them.

2 Content delivery

Another aspect to consider is how you want to deliver your content to your learners. Do you prefer synchronous or asynchronous methods, or a combination of both? Synchronous methods involve real-time interaction between the trainer and the learners, such as live webinars, video conferencing, or chat. Asynchronous methods involve self-paced learning, such as pre-recorded videos, podcasts, ebooks, or quizzes. Depending on your content delivery preferences, you might want to look for an online platform that offers the tools and features that enable them.

3 User experience

User experience is a key factor in online training, as it can affect the engagement, motivation, and satisfaction of the learners. You want to choose an online platform that is easy to use, navigate, and access. It should also be compatible with different devices, browsers, and operating systems. Moreover, it should provide a user-friendly interface, clear instructions, and intuitive design. You can test the user experience of an online platform by signing up for a free trial or a demo, and asking for feedback from your learners.

4 Collaboration and communication

Online training can sometimes feel isolating or impersonal, especially if there is little or no interaction between the trainer and the learners, or among the learners themselves. Therefore, you should look for an online platform that facilitates collaboration and communication among the participants. For example, some online platforms offer features such as discussion forums, peer feedback, group projects, social media integration, or gamification. These features can help create a sense of community, foster dialogue, and enhance learning.

5 Security and privacy

Last but not least, you should consider the security and privacy of your data and your learners' data when choosing an online platform for your training. You want to make sure that the online platform complies with the relevant laws and regulations, such as the GDPR, and protects your data from unauthorized access, misuse, or loss. You should also check the terms and conditions of the online platform, and how they handle your data and your learners' data. For example, do they share your data with third parties? Do they own your content? Do they have a backup and recovery system?

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?