Training from home: 7 steps to success

Post COVID-19 lockdowns, professionals are no longer learning online out of necessity, but it is still the preferred format of learning for many. As it becomes ever-more a priority for workers to fill skill gaps with professional training in order to get ahead, training from home is favourable.

Here at ILX, we offer three online learning formats, allowing candidates to study in their preferred style, and in a timeframe that suits them.

E-learning can be completed at your own pace, usually within 12 months, and is a fully self-directed learning option. 100% remote, there are zero travel or accommodation costs, and it is an effective way to get certified. Each e-learning course has been taken from an official syllabus, made into an interactive, multimedia-rich training package, and has gained accreditation from the relevant official accrediting body.

Virtual learning combines the personal teaching experience of a classroom, with the ease and flexibility of a virtual environment. With ILX's highly experienced instructors, you get the experience of attending a live classroom workshop, but from the comfort of your own home – so no travel or accommodation costs either. Our virtual training courses blend on-screen content and quizzes with live video and audio streaming, to provide a highly engaging and effective training solution. Learning in this format allows candidates to become fully qualified in under a week.

Blended learning is the best of both worlds. It combines self-paced e-learning with an instructor-led workshop. With blended learning, you can work at your own pace as you get to grips and build your knowledge before taking the workshop to put the theory into practice. Our experienced trainers will demonstrate how the processes, methods, knowledge and skills covered in e-learning should be applied to real-world scenarios. The workshop can be taken in a classroom setting or in a live virtual classroom, meaning the entire qualification can be completed from home if you choose this route.

Whichever format you choose, training from home is going to take determination and drive. Here are your 7 steps to success when training from home:

1.    Have a designated workspace

Let’s start with the basics. It is important to create a dedicated environment for studying. An at-home study space needs to be a place you enjoy working and somewhere that boosts your productivity. Head to social media platforms such as Instagram or Pinterest for inspiration. Ensure your workspace is free from distractions and practical too. Have a place for course materials and notes to be kept handy, and make sure there is a decent Wi-Fi connection. Be sure to make working in your designated study space a routine.

2.    Utilise all available resources

Just because you are not in a classroom setting, doesn’t mean you don’t have access to top resources. Many professional development courses will have recommended books and materials included, and it's important to utilise these. At ILX we have a resource centre full of downloads, videos, webinar recordings, and a podcast series too. What’s more, with all of our online learning courses, the ILX accredited trainers are on hand to help and coach you.

3.    Build a network of support

It is easy to view online learning as something you do on your own, but this is simply not the case. Along with the in-house expertise, coaching and support available from ILX’s team of accredited trainers, our courses are built around the concept of collaboration. Virtual and blended courses especially provide functionality such as breakout areas, where delegates can be divided into group sessions to work on scenarios and exercises that can then be presented back to the class.

4.    Mix up your learning style

Building a network of supportive peers is also a great way to mix up your learning style. Other approaches include creating flashcards to use ahead of an exam, visiting our aforementioned resource hub for podcasts, videos and more, utilising books, videos and note-taking, and even taking a practice exam if available. Not only will mixing it up encourage and inspire you to study, but it will also improve your engagement with the course material and help to embed the knowledge.

5.    The ILX player app

Here at ILX, we recognise the importance of making learning as convenient as possible when training from home. Which is why we have developed our ILX Player App to boost your e-learning experience. We are constantly striving to make e-learning as user-friendly as possible and with our app, users can learn on the go! It is free from the App Store or Google Play and just uses your existing login details to download the course content to your phone or tablet at no extra charge. This allows you to access it offline, meaning you can study anywhere without the need for an internet connection.

6.    Practice time management

By far, the biggest challenge of training from home is keeping yourself accountable. Once you have established your at-home study space, you need to think about when it is best to use it. Professional development training shouldn’t be something you squeeze into your schedule, it should be something you carve out time especially for. When it comes to e-learning, give thought to when you’re likely to learn best. In the morning or the evening? For short bursts routinely each day or in one or two longer sessions each week?

7.    Actively participate

It may sound obvious, but our final tip for training at home success is to give it your all! You get out what you put in. So, actively participate in your online learning and you will get the best outcomes. Engage in breakaway sessions, make useful notes, squeeze in that extra twenty minutes of learning with the ILX player app. Professional development is about being proactive to ensure that you gain usable knowledge and real experience, not just an exam certification.