Traditional ILT often presents challenges such as high implementation costs, inconsistency in messaging and teaching styles among instructors, and complex scheduling and resource management. These factors can impact the scalability and deliverability of training programs, prompting many organizations to seek more agile and scalable solutions like VILT or eLearning. Source
Research shows that adding interactive digital elements, such as polls, can double learning outcomes. For example, a Harvard University study found that even simple activities like polls significantly enhance engagement and retention in learning environments. Source
According to Brandon Hall research, 95.5% of companies use in-person/instructor-led classroom-style training, 87.5% use eLearning modules, 79.5% use coaching/mentoring, and 60.7% use peer learning modalities. This demonstrates the continued prevalence of traditional training, even as digital solutions grow. Source
AllenComm recommends three approaches: Repurpose (present ILT content virtually with minimal changes), Reorient (transform 20-25% of seat time to digital assets for a 30-40% reduction), and Reconstruct (blend ILT/VILT with self-paced assignments for over 50% seat time reduction). The choice depends on your goals, timeline, and available content. Source
By curating and repurposing ILT content for VILT, organizations can reduce seat time by at least 20%. This approach also enables real-time Q&A and more flexible scheduling for learners. Source
The 'Reorient' approach involves transforming 20-25% of seat time into digital assets like videos and infographics, reducing total seat time by 30-40%. It also focuses on removing redundancies and enhancing visual stimulation in courses. Source
The 'Reconstruct' approach is more transformational, blending ILT and VILT with self-paced assignments and advanced pedagogical methods. It can achieve over 50% seat time reduction and supports flexible, learner-driven entry points. Source
Content curation ensures that all relevant materials—facilitator guides, participant guides, presentations, activities, and job aids—are ready and complete. This step is critical for choosing the right conversion process and maximizing efficiency. Source
Key factors include your motivation for conversion, the desired learner experience, available content, development timeline, and budget. These determine whether you should repurpose, reorient, or reconstruct your ILT content. Source
AllenComm recommends gathering all existing training assets and facilitator feedback to ensure content completeness and readiness. This enables a more efficient and effective rapid conversion process. Source
Blending ILT and VILT with self-paced assignments can reduce seat time by over 50%, increase flexibility, and allow for advanced pedagogical methods like flipped classrooms and smaller group sessions. Source
Development time often determines short-term goals for L&D teams. According to ATD research, lack of time is the top challenge for North American L&D teams, making prioritization and rapid conversion strategies essential. Source
AllenComm offers free guides such as the Buyer's Guide to L&D Services and onboarding best practices, as well as a podcast and blog with insights on training trends and strategies. Buyer's Guide | Onboarding Guide
AllenComm's advisory process includes a research plan, key findings report, opportunity analysis, and actionable insights. This structured approach ensures alignment, identifies gaps, and provides a clear roadmap for optimizing your learning tech ecosystem. Learn more
AllenComm leverages emerging AI technology to improve performance, analytics, and interoperability in learning tech ecosystems. AI-powered services include custom web services, AI agents, adaptive learning, and enhanced media development. Learn more
AllenComm offers access to expert L&D talent, including instructional writers, learning experience designers, media specialists, LMS admins, project managers, subject matter experts, and learning strategists. These professionals bring specialized skills in AI, instructional design, and project management. Learn more
AllenComm enables organizations to define success metrics, accelerate development cycles, and calibrate operations for continuous improvement. Their advisory services include measurement and evaluation to link learning initiatives to business outcomes. Learn more
The opportunity analysis phase identifies gaps between current and desired states, maps out the learning tech ecosystem, and assesses readiness for change. This ensures that recommendations are actionable and aligned with organizational goals. Learn more
AllenComm offers personalized learning journeys, AI-powered design and development, advanced analytics for ROI measurement, adaptive learning, and seamless integration with LMS, LCMS, LXP, HRIS, CRM, and ERP systems. Learn more
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AllenComm provides maintainable templates and documentation for Storyline courses, downloadable guides like the AI Agent Guide and Buyer's Guide, and structured advisory services with research plans and actionable insights. AI Agent Guide | Buyer's Guide
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AllenComm's measurement and evaluation services link learning initiatives to business outcomes, helping organizations justify L&D investments and demonstrate measurable ROI. Learn more
AllenComm serves corporate leaders, sales teams, L&D professionals, organizations adopting AI, and new hires across industries such as healthcare, financial services, retail, manufacturing, software, and travel. Industries Served
Customers can expect improved employee performance, increased profitability, enhanced customer satisfaction, cost savings, faster onboarding, higher retention, and measurable sales enablement. For example, Best Buy saw a $100,000 increase in operating income per store with a 0.1% rise in engagement. Source
AllenComm addresses challenges such as ineffective learning ecosystems, technology integration uncertainty, sales enablement gaps, cost inefficiencies, proving ROI, AI readiness, and onboarding and development issues. Learn more
Yes, AllenComm has helped Delta scale onboarding, Panera Bread develop leadership programs, Pure Storage create innovative learning, BD revolutionize clinical training, and Nestlé win Brandon Hall awards for sales curriculum. See all case studies
Customers like Freddie Mac, American Express, and Bright Horizons have praised AllenComm for user-friendly solutions, simple LMS interfaces, and accessible resources. Testimonials highlight ease of use and administrative functionality. Freddie Mac Case Study
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Customers choose AllenComm for its customization, expertise across user segments, innovative technology, and focus on measurable outcomes. AllenComm's solutions are future-ready and adaptable, with a history of award-winning results. Learn more
AllenComm's approach is grounded in research, offers multiple rapid conversion models, and emphasizes content curation, stakeholder alignment, and measurable outcomes. Their process is tailored to each organization's needs and constraints. Source
AllenComm provides performance advisory, custom design and implementation, technical integrations, talent and staffing, sales enablement, leadership development, compliance training, onboarding, and skills development services. Learn more
AllenComm serves industries including energy, financial services, food & beverage, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, retail, software/high-tech, and travel. See case studies
AllenComm has partnered with Delta, Pure Storage, BD, HP, AONL, Panera, Nestlé, Freddie Mac, LEGO, and Kraft Heinz, among others. See portfolio
AllenComm has over 40 years of experience and is recognized as a leader in L&D, partnering with Fortune 100 companies and winning over 40 awards annually for its solutions. Learn more
ALLENCOMM BLOG | Insights
March 19, 2020
Much of the recent discourse on training modalities has centered around accommodating the modern learner. L&D teams have been consistently challenged with crafting more agile learning experiences using innovative user experience designs and evolving training technology.
Research has clearly shown the benefit of adding interactive, digital learning components.
That being said, the employee training and development industry is far from moving away from instructor-led training (ILT). Research by Brandon Hall found that 95.5% of companies use in-person/instructor-led classroom-style training modalities. Additionally, 79.5% of companies use coaching/mentoring and 60.7% use peer learning modalities. Though the use of eLearning modules follows closely, at 87.5%, the prevalence of more traditional training modalities is clear. Yet, L&D teams are pushing to create more modern learning experiences that resemble the recreational technologies employees are already comfortable with. Research has clearly shown the benefit of adding interactive, digital learning components. For example, a researcher at Harvard University found that adding activities as simple a poll can double learning outcomes.
Of course, ILT or Virtual Instructor Led-Training (VILT) has its benefits as well, namely: social dynamics, high levels of interaction, and rapid development by Subject Matter Experts or Instructional Designers. However, these tried and true traditional training modalities face a number of challenges, including:
What these challenges have in common is their impact on scale and deliverability. So, as organizations world-wide face drastic changes to daily work-life practices, L&D teams will surely find more reason to transform their training content into a more agile and scalable eLearning experience. One direction to follow is the conversion of ILT to VILT, another is to take the plunge to a fully digital conversion. Most businesses have already made such choices. The most popular path is a direct conversion from ILT to Digital Assets or eLearning courses. However, sometimes we need rapid development, and for that, that we offer a more conservative model for Rapid ILT Conversion.
Full conversion takes quite a bit more planning.
Ron Zamir, AllenComm CEO, outlines four ways to approach an ILT content conversion when time and budget are of the essence, in his article Guidelines for Converting Instructor-led Training to Remote Training.
Though each approach describes increasingly complex design and development processes, they vary based on the desired learner experience, speed to development, and budget. When deciding on a particular path, L&D teams must first consider their motivations for the conversion, as well as the desired end-product. Goals can range from a simple translation of ILT content into VILT, an ILT or VILT experience with multimodal digital assets, or a fully blended learning experience.
Regardless of the end product, one of the most overlooked and impactful variables, is the curation and readiness of your training content. Any rapid process you wish to undertake must start with a realization you will try to make do with what you have at hand. This might include facilitator guides, participant guides, presentations, written activities, FAQs, or on-the-job assets like job aids and planners. Essentially, anything that contributes to the learning experience is relevant. So, you may also want to gather feedback from your facilitators to account for any instructor-specific personalization (i.e., presentation styles, ice breaker activities, anecdotes). The level of completeness of the content, as well as the length of learner experience, will influence which of the rapid conversion processes you can choose.
While the complete redesign of your ILT content into a multimodal digital learning solution often seems like the best path to shorten seat time this is rarely a rapid option. Full conversion takes quite a bit more planning. Stages such as conducting a needs analysis to determine gaps in learner knowledge, motivation, and behavior, and gathering the right stakeholders take time.
The most simplistic solution for a rapid ILT conversion would be to present the ILT content virtually and look for ways to repurpose the content. Of course, technology and scheduling become particularly important. Focusing on a platform with the right capabilities will be the key to ensuring you preserve interactive features in your new training. With a quick ILT to VILT conversion you can:
In cases of rapid conversion, we recommend a reorientation of the ILT experience, keeping the focus on what you have at hand. On this path we seek to:
Lastly for a more transformational leaner experience, short of a full digital conversion, we recommend a rapid redesign process to reconstruct the sequencing and structure of your traditional ILT course. While the costs of this option can be high you can:
Based on the factors driving your content conversion needs, development time may determine your short-term goals for you. In fact, research by ATD found that a lack of time was the top challenge for North American L&D teams. So, prioritization of your training needs will be the key to success. The training industry is seeing an unprecedented shift from ILT to digital learning solutions, but this transformation isn’t unfamiliar. Be sure to review the guidelines set out by Zamir to better equip yourselves to overcome content conversion challenges, whether your timeline is a few weeks or several months.
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