Pinnacle Safety and Training Blog

How to choose an online course

The coronavirus pandemic has seen the popularity of online learning increase dramatically.

Almost overnight, educators have been transforming traditional face-to-face courses to online formats to meet the increased demand.

The benefits of online learning are well documented. For starters, online learners can complete their courses at their own pace, and at times and locations that suit their preferences and lifestyles. This makes online courses far more accessible for those who are time poor or physically or psychologically unable to attend a real classroom.

However, not all online courses are created equal.

When choosing a course, it’s tempting to go with the cheapest or the shortest one available, however, this doesn’t always equate to the best learning outcomes or overall experience. In some cases, it could even mean failing to achieve your qualification.

What should you look for in choosing an online course?

1. First and foremost, you need to ensure that once you complete the course, you’ll receive the qualification you require. For example, if you need to obtain a national unit of competency, make sure the course is being provided by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

2. Check the level of support provided. Make sure the training provider has qualified trainers and support staff available to respond to your questions and ensure you get the best outcomes from your course.

3. Check the course delivery model. For example, is it an online course (self-paced) or a remote course (delivered in real time using a live streaming/conferencing platform)? Some courses must be delivered through “connected real-time delivery” for a legitimate qualification to be issued.

4. Check the training methods being used. For example, is the course interactive, or will you just be working through a PDF and completing a multi-choice quiz at the end? Ideally the course will cater to different learning styles by including videos, reading content, interactive activities, and audio content.

5. Check the training provider’s track record. For example, how long has the training provider been delivering online training? What do other students say about their experiences?

Developing a quality online course is a time-consuming and resource-intensive task. Pinnacle Safety and Training have been delivering online training since 2015. We offer both accredited and non-accredited online courses and have an Online Faculty team of qualified trainers and support staff dedicated to our online students.

With so many options for online training now available, the choices can be overwhelming. When choosing an online training provider, take your time to do your research and select the provider and the training that’s right for you.