e-Learning Blog

There are generally two methods for online training. Let's take a look at the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of each.

・On-demand Training
On-demand training is a format where pre-recorded videos are watched. This type is commonly referred to as "e-learning" or "web learning". With on-demand training, there is no two-way communication with the instructor, but the advantage is that you can take the training at your convenience, regardless of the instructor's schedule. This is similar to watching a YouTube video or recording a TV program on a HDD. The training content is saved and made available, and participants can watch it as many times as they like at their own pace. In addition, the training coordinator only needs to prepare and publish the content, so if it is a general topic, it can be reused year after year. However, compared to real-time training, the disadvantage is that it is one-way communication, making it difficult for viewers to ask questions or share their opinions.

・Real-time training
In real-time training, you will watch live lectures using web conferencing systems such as Zoom. This type of training has the constraint of having to fit the instructor's schedule. There is also a possibility of variations in image quality or disruptions in audio and video due to communication issues. If you want to review the training content later, you can record and share it. However, this type of training is more suitable for one-time or short-term online training.
The advantages of real-time training include the ability to feel a sense of presence and ask questions to the instructor in real-time, which can lead to a deeper understanding. Additionally, the tools used are user-friendly and easy to implement, making them suitable for starting online training. For example, you can use Zoom or Teams to conduct the training.

There are the following benefits to using videos in training.

・Can learn again at your favorite timing
By recording the training and saving it as a video, learners can review and review the training at their own convenience. They can use videos to relearn to resolve any parts they did not understand.

・Can concentrate without being too focused on taking notes
Taking notes is important, but if you focus too much on taking notes during training, it can be difficult to remember the content. By archiving the training videos, you can review them anytime and learn without having to be too focused on taking notes. This allows participants to concentrate on the training.

・Can review training on days off
If you are absent from work or school due to illness, you will not be able to attend the training for that day. You can also study on your own with text, but it may be difficult to cover everything completely. However, by archiving training videos, you can review the training on days off anytime, anywhere.

・Employees working remotely and students unable to attend school can also participate
Some employees are working remotely and some students are unable to attend school. However, by distributing training videos, they can receive training regardless of location. This allows employees working remotely and students unable to attend school to participate in training and classes.

・Reduced training implementation costs
For companies, in the case of face-to-face group training, there are many costs involved such as arranging a venue and inviting instructors. However, with video training, these costs can be reduced. Once a video is created, it can be reused unless the content changes significantly.

・No need to interrupt your work
This also applies to companies. In the case of companies with multiple branches, it may be necessary to temporarily suspend work in order to participate in group training. If the training is short and ends quickly, it may not be a problem, but in the case of training that lasts for a day or several days, there is a high possibility that it will affect normal work. On the other hand, with video training, each employee can receive training at their own branch at any time, minimizing the impact on their work.

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There were many benefits to video training, but at the same time, there are also disadvantages. Here, we will explain some of the disadvantages.

・Time-consuming creation process
In traditional group training, it was common to create materials using Word or PowerPoint. However, in video training, it is necessary to use video editing software to create videos that are easy for participants to understand. If there are no personnel with skills in using the software, it may take time to create the videos. Additionally, even after the videos are completed, there may be editing work required for updating information, so it is necessary to consider not only the creation process but also the operation method before introducing it.

・Difficult to maintain tension
Video training can be taken by anyone without an instructor present. Therefore, the psychological barrier is low, but at the same time, it is difficult to maintain tension. Without tension, concentration may be interrupted, or the learner may think about other things or do other tasks while taking the training. Since there is no one monitoring, there is a tendency for the learner's attitude to decline.

・Difficult to get people to attend
"When it's convenient for you" is a benefit, but on the flip side, this problem arises. Since you can attend anytime, you end up saying "I'll do it later." To avoid this, it is necessary to identify those who have not attended and give them a push.

・Slow response time for questions and answers
Even if you have questions while watching a video, you cannot ask them or receive answers on the spot. If you want to resolve your questions, you will need to confirm with the instructor or person in charge at a later date. The delay in response time from questions to answers is a disadvantageous situation for participants who have a proactive learning attitude. There is also a risk of decreasing motivation, so it will be necessary to make some efforts such as setting up a system to accept questions at any time through chat or email.

・Inability to communicate directly
The biggest disadvantage of video training is the inability to have real communication. In general training, even if it is a lecture style, there are opportunities to communicate through group work or self-introduction time. However, video training is basically a style of "learning by watching alone", so there is almost no interaction with other participants. Therefore, training aimed at improving teamwork or team building is not suitable for video training.

・Some learners may not be able to watch videos depending on their internet environment
The quality of video training can be affected by the learner's internet environment. For example, if there are learners who do not have a computer or do not have a stable internet connection, it may be difficult for them to watch videos comfortably. In the worst case scenario, they may not be able to watch the videos at all.

・Facility Maintenance
A suitable environment is necessary for filming and streaming training sessions. While smartphone cameras can be used, external microphones are required to improve audio quality. Additionally, if better video quality and lighting adjustments are needed, preparation for cameras and lighting must also be taken into consideration.

・Improvement of instructor's IT-related knowledge
The tasks of filming, editing, and sharing for training must be handled by the instructor. It is possible to outsource these tasks to external vendors, but there may be cases where this option is not available. It is necessary for the instructor to improve their knowledge of IT. They are expected to have a basic understanding of computer operations, as well as a level of knowledge that allows them to smoothly carry out filming, editing, and sharing processes.

・Security and Privacy Considerations
Training videos are created for the use of trainees and should not be made publicly available. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account security and privacy protection. There are methods such as limited release on YouTube, but there is a risk of easy access if the URL is leaked. Therefore, it is necessary to take appropriate measures such as considering a dedicated system.

These are the concerns and challenges when using videos for company training or school lessons. Please refer to them when introducing them.

We have introduced the advantages and disadvantages of video training, but its effectiveness may vary depending on the purpose. Here, we will introduce cases where video training is recommended.

・Utilization as a Business Manual
Business manuals, such as procedures and complaint handling, are suitable for video training. This is because business manuals often have consistent content, and by repeatedly watching them in video training, one can firmly remember the content.

・Utilizing as a manual for handling equipment and machinery
With video training, you can easily explain how to use equipment and tools used in the field. We will create training videos by filming the actual operation on site. In the video, the person operating the equipment can explain important points and things to be aware of, or use text and illustrations during editing to convey information clearly.

・Training for Products and Services
You can also use videos for training on your company's products and services. With videos, you can share how to use them, key points to convey their appeal to customers, and how to introduce them. They can be used not only for training new employees, but also for sharing with the entire company when new products or services are released.

・Utilizing for Pre-learning of Group Training
It is recommended to learn knowledge through video training beforehand and then practice practical content during group training. If it takes time to do both lectures and practical training in the same session, using video training can shorten the time of group training. Also, since tension may decrease during group training, setting up a place for output can increase the concentration of participants.

・Can be used for make-up lessons and reviews for group training
You can share videos of group training with everyone. It can be used for make-up lessons for employees who could not participate, for participants to review, and for new members to take. However, if you invite an external instructor to hold the training, you need to obtain permission for filming and also get consent for the purpose of filming, so be careful.

・Business Manners Training
Among general business skills (such as PC skills and business manners), themes that involve actions, such as business manners, are particularly well-suited for video training. For example, the angle of bowing may vary depending on the situation, but it is clear at a glance when the actual action is shown in a video. With video, it is also possible to convey the timing and subtle movements of each action. In addition, business manners often involve actions such as facial expressions, attitudes, and business card exchanges, making video training useful.

In the previous section, we introduced recommended training/lessons for video distribution, but in order to distribute videos, a system is necessary. By using an online system called LMS (Learning Management System), you can provide the necessary learning materials for video training and manage when and how much the participants have watched the videos. Here, we will introduce some video distribution apps that can be integrated with Moodle, which is a well-known open source software for LMS.

BigBlueButton: BigBlueButton is an open-source web conferencing system that can be integrated with Moodle. It offers various features such as video conferencing, chat, screen sharing, and sharing presentation materials.
https://moodle.org/plugins/mod_bigbluebuttonbn

Panopto: Panopto is a widely used video distribution platform in corporations and educational institutions. By using the Panopto Moodle plugin, you can upload, share, and view videos within Moodle.
https://moodle.org/plugins/block_panopto

Kaltura: Kaltura is a cloud-based video platform that allows for easy creation, editing, and distribution of videos. By using the Kaltura Moodle plugin, videos can be managed and shared within Moodle.
https://moodle.org/plugins/local_yukaltura https://moodle.org/plugins/local_yumymedia

Vimeo: Vimeo is a popular video sharing platform, but with the use of a business plan, high-quality video streaming is possible. By using the Vimeo Moodle plugin, you can embed Vimeo videos within Moodle.
https://moodle.org/plugins/mod_videotime

millvi (ミルビィ): A cloud-based (SaaS) video distribution system provided by Ryobi Systems Co., Ltd. It has all the necessary functions for video distribution with viewing restrictions. It can be integrated with Moodle to embed millvi videos within Moodle.
https://eviry.com/service/

These are some examples of available video streaming apps. Moodle also has many other plugins and integration options, so we recommend obtaining more detailed information on the official Moodle website or Moodle community.

Real-time training uses a web conferencing system. We will also introduce several web conferencing systems available on Moodle.

Zoom: Zoom is a widely used video conferencing platform that can also be integrated with Moodle. By using the Zoom Moodle plugin, you can schedule Zoom meetings within Moodle and provide access to participants. At one school, they used to simply use Zoom for classes, but they started using Moodle to manage attendance because it was difficult to keep track of attendance using just Zoom.

Microsoft Teams: Microsoft Teams is a collaboration tool provided by Microsoft, which also has video conferencing capabilities. By using the Moodle plugin for Teams, you can schedule Teams meetings within Moodle and grant access to participants. https://moodle.org/plugins/atto_teamsmeeting

Jitsi Meet: Jitsi Meet is an open-source web conferencing system that can also be integrated with Moodle. You can easily start a video conference and use features such as screen sharing and chat.
https://moodle.org/plugins/mod_jitsi

You can also find more detailed information and plugins on the official Moodle website and Moodle community. It is important to choose the most suitable web conferencing system depending on the restrictions of your organization or educational institution.

In this blog, we have covered the types of video distribution used in classes and training, as well as the benefits and challenges of utilizing them. Even with online training, there are on-demand and real-time types, each with their own advantages. It is important to actively incorporate these benefits into training and classes. Additionally, it is very convenient to manage the viewing of participants when using LMS such as Moodle. Consulting with vendors who provide LMS as a service is also a good option. In that case, please contact Human Science Co., Ltd., an official Moodle partner.

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