SkillSoft Survey Reveals Virtual Training More Effective Than Instructor-Led Training

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Students Rate Virtual Training Higher Than or Equal to Instructor-Led Classroom Training - Key for Certification Prep

NASHUA, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SkillSoft, a leading SaaS provider of e-learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education and small to medium-sized businesses, today announced the results of an annual survey that continues to underscore the effectiveness of Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) programs, such as SkillSoft's Live Learning. Respondents rated the Live Learning virtual format as most valuable when compared to traditional in-person Instructor Led Training (ILT). The survey also validated the training effectiveness of VILT for certification exams, with Live Learning students achieving a 92 percent pass rate after taking a Live Learning class to prepare for the certification exams.

The recent survey was conducted with students who had attended one or more Live Learning, virtual classroom courses within the past year. More than 2,500 learners were invited to participate in the survey. Consistent with the 2009 results, seven out of ten respondents said VILT is either about the same, better, or much better than ILT - without taking costs into consideration. When costs were taken into consideration, 87 percent said that Live Learning offered similar or better value than ILT. Overall results between the 2009 and 2010 surveys showed a continued increase in the value of a virtual learning format.

"With this annual survey, it's clear to see that virtual training continues to increase its value," said John Ambrose, SkillSoft's senior vice president of strategy, corporate development and emerging business. "SkillSoft has been a pioneer in virtual instruction for nearly 10 years. We are pleased that students continue to find the materials and methods used in Live Learning more helpful when compared with traditional in-person classroom Instructor-Led Training."

Live Learning courses are available on SkillSoft's award-winning learning management system, SkillPort. Delivered at roughly half the cost of traditional classroom learning, Live Learning provides users with an array of online classes taught by world-class instructors on high-demand information technologies and business practices. Live Learning combines all the benefits of instructor-led training with the added features of online learning. Students are able to access trainings in a more flexible, convenient format while maintaining the learning engagement of an expert-led class.

Delivered via the Internet, students can stream SkillSoft Live Learning from their desktop to study or prep for a broad range of subjects, including high-demand certification programs such as those sponsored by the Project Management Institute, Cisco, Microsoft and CompTIA. Classes are taught by two instructors; offering a lively contrast in styles, perspectives and technical insight. SkillSoft taps top talent from around the world to bring seasoned professionals directly to the students.

Live Learning sessions are available through a calendar of scheduled events or recorded sessions for on-demand access. Scheduled in a staggered college-style format, the Live Learning courses are conducted in two, 3-hour online sessions per week. The recorded sessions are available to students at any time, allowing learners to conveniently reference material for a refresher or to catch a missed class. SkillSoft Live Learning classes not only deliver the ultimate classroom experience but also provide access to materials and classes for up to one year, where face-to-face training takes place only once.

About SkillSoft

SkillSoft is a leading SaaS provider of on-demand e-learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education and small to medium-sized businesses. SkillSoft enables business organizations to maximize business performance through a combination of comprehensive e-learning content, online information resources, flexible learning technologies and support services. SkillSoft is on the web at http://www.skillsoft.com.

Content offerings include business, IT, desktop, compliance and consumer/SMB courseware collections, as well as complementary content assets such as Leadership Development Channel video products, KnowledgeCenter(TM) portals, virtual instructor-led training services and online mentoring services. SkillSoft's Books24x7(R) product offering includes access to more than 25,000 digitized IT and business books, as well as book summaries and executive reports. Technology offerings include the SkillPort(R) learning management system, Search & Learn(R), SkillSoft(R) Dialogue(TM) virtual classroom and inGenius(TM) social learning module.

SkillSoft courseware content described herein is for information purposes only and is subject to change without notice. SkillSoft has no obligation or commitment to develop or deliver any future release, upgrade, feature, enhancement or function described in this press release except as specifically set forth in a written agreement.

SkillSoft, the SkillSoft logo, SkillPort, Search-and-Learn, SkillChoice, Books24x7, ITPro, BusinessPro, OfficeEssentials, GovEssentials, EngineeringPro, FinancePro, AnalystPerspectives, ExecSummaries, ExecBlueprints, Express Guide, Dialogue and inGenius are trademarks or registered trademarks of SkillSoft Limited in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners, countries. 


    Source: SkillSoft

Released November 16, 2010