10 Types of Training Modules & Their Benefits

If you’re a training manager, learning and development (L&D) professional, or part of the human resources (HR) team looking into online training, you should understand training modules before choosing a training tool.

Think of training modules as chapters in a book, each covering a different topic or skill. For example, one module might teach customer service skills with videos and quizzes, while another could explain software basics with guides and interactive lessons.

In this article, we’ll look at different types of training modules and how they can improve employee training. Let’s get started!

What Are Training Modules?

Training modules break down learning materials into small, manageable pieces. Each module offers a focused lesson or skill, making information easily digestible and easily memorable.

Additionally, modules come in different formats, like text, videos, and quizzes, among others. Each one zeroes in on a specific topic, helping employees grasp and retain new information effectively.

To make the most of LMS modules, understanding their role in courses and content is key. Here’s how they function together:

• Modules act as individual learning pieces.
• Content like text, videos, and quizzes, fills each module.
• Courses organize these pieces into a structured plan and guide learners through a logical sequence of modules.

When organizing LMS modules, consider the MECE (mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive) principle. This method ensures each module covers a distinct topic, and all modules together cover the whole subject.

For instance, a business management course might have separate modules for marketing, finance, and human resources. This avoids repetition and ensures comprehensive coverage.

10 Types of Training Modules and Their Benefits

Training modules include parts or features of the LMS platform. Some training modules come built-in, while others can be added through integrations to LMS.

As we already stated, these modules improve the learning experience for both teachers and learners with interactive tools and user-friendly functions.

However, each platform comes with different types of training modules. Let’s explore common training modules to consider when choosing the right AI LMS.

1. Assessments

Assessments let you track the progress of your learners and adjust their training based on their strengths and weaknesses. You can also craft reports to visualize and compare data from grades and exam results.

Many LMS solutions offer advanced tools for skill-based assessments, including:

• Creating quizzes, MCQs, surveys, and PPTs with audio, video, and images.
• Automatically grading assignments based on set criteria.
• Building and storing test questions in a bank for reuse.
• Allowing multiple attempts for tests and quizzes.
• Collecting feedback from learners through surveys.
• Sharing progress reports and grades with learners.

2. Team Collaboration

Whether managing a small team or a large global workforce, staying connected makes online training more effective. When team members feel part of a community, they work better together and achieve shared goals.

Most AI tools for personalized learning in corporate training offer various collaboration tools, including:

• Discussion boards for sharing knowledge among users.
• Calendars to track course events, deadlines, and other training activities.
• Automated email notifications for enrollment, group assignments, and certifications.
• Group chats for open communication among learners, instructors, and staff.
• Video conferencing for live classes, exams, and meetings.
• Notes and annotations for feedback within courses.
• File sharing and co-authoring options.

3. Compliance

Technology and laws surrounding systems, learning content, accessibility, and security constantly evolve and companies must keep step.

LMS platforms for corporate training help organizations meet industry guidelines and rules through compliance and certification features. For example, you can craft custom certificates for each course and award them to learners upon completion.

Some common industry regulations include:

• COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act)
• FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
• SOC 2 (Service and Organization Controls)
• 21 CFR Part 11 (FDA Regulation for E-Signatures)
• SCORM (Shareable Content Object Reference Model)

4. Content Creation and Organization

After setting up your training content, you’ll need to upload and organize it on the platform. LMS tools let you easily create, edit, and manage all types of eLearning materials in one place. Whether dealing with progress reports, course packages, or question banks, the software handles it all.

With this module, you can:

• Create learning paths, lessons, presentations, and assessments using built-in tools, or upload content from other sources.
• Assign courses to learners and let them rate the content.
• Add, store, update, and track all training materials, employee handbooks, and technical documents in one central location.
• Use the global search tool to find content, curriculums, learning paths, certifications, and skills.
• View a list of all available or upcoming courses in the course catalog.
• Set prerequisites to ensure learners complete one lesson before moving on to the next.
• Track learners’ progress through a dashboard or progress reports.

A quick tip: A learning management system isn’t the same as a content management system, such as WordPress. Learn the differences between LMS and CMS to determine which one suits your business needs.

5. eCommerce

The eCommerce market has grown a lot, with a 27.43% increase from 2023 to 2028. Therefore, moving your business online can help you reach more people and increase revenue without big costs.

LMS helps you make money from course content and training services using a branded eCommerce platform. It offers tools to manage your online presence, daily tasks, and both internal and external customers.

With this module, you can:

• Bundle and sell online training courses together.
• Offer discounts, coupons, or promo codes for purchases or subscriptions.
• Process payments securely.
• View and manage order history.
• Send marketing emails.
• Generate reports to track sales.
• Monitor revenue and review purchase history.

6. Learning Delivery

A good LMS supports various learning methods because each student is different and prefers a different learning method. Simply put, whether your employees learn online, in the office, or at their own pace, the system can handle their preferences.

Common learning delivery models include:

• Asynchronous learning is where learners study at their own pace and location.
• Blended learning, which combines in-person classes with self-paced online courses.
• Microlearning, offering short, easy-to-remember content in each lesson. However, make sure to learn the pros and cons of microlearning before exploring some of the best microlearning platforms.
• Live webinars, in-person classes, and virtual instructor-led training, which learners can join simultaneously.

7. Mobile Capability

Research found that early in 2023, 5.44 billion out of 8 billion people used mobile phones. Another report showed that most people spend almost five hours a day on their phones. That being said, making training accessible on smartphones, tablets, and iPads helps create a continuous learning experience for employees.

Popular LMS like Coursebox AI offer user-friendly mobile learning apps that work with common operating systems like Android, Windows, and iOS.

On the mobile app, you can:

• View and track course progress.
• Access and resume courses.
• Facilitate collaboration with messaging, group chats, and discussion boards.
• Allow offline course completion and sync progress when back online.
• Customize the system with logos, fonts, colors, and themes.

8. Reporting and Dashboards

LMS platforms include tools to help you see company data clearly and get insights into performance. You can track key metrics like course completion rates, enrollment numbers, online sales, learner progress, and engagement.

The reporting and analytics module lets you:

• View data as graphs, charts, and maps.
• Use filters and widgets on a customizable dashboard to track specific details of learner performance.
• Generate ready-made reports on learner progress, course enrollment, completion rates, and time spent.
• Create custom reports with different data sets.
• Schedule reports to be sent at specific times or on a regular basis.
• Automate report scheduling and sharing with other users.

9. User Management and Gamification

LMS solutions offer a structured way to manage user information and keep track of employee data. They also include gamification tools which can make the training more exciting.

With this module, you can:

• Create user profiles with details like name, email, and location.
• Set up different roles, define access permissions, and assign them to users.
• Design or customize certificates with images, logos, and text, and award them upon course completion.
• Automatically group learners based on specific criteria.
• Generate course transcripts showing enrollment details, course status, credits earned, and achievements.
• Set milestones for activities and advance learners to the next level when they reach a milestone.
• Offer prebuilt badges or create custom badges for learners.

10. Extra Considerations

Besides the main LMS modules, look for these extra capabilities:

AI tools:

• AI-Based Learning: Advanced algorithms recommend courses based on skills, job roles, and interests. They also generate real-time reports, automate tasks, and more.
• Customization and Branding: Customize the platform with your organization’s logo, colors, and themes for a branded learning environment.

Coursebox AI offers all these things and much more! Book a demo today and see how our modern approach to online education can make your training more effective.

Deployment models:

• Cloud: Accessed via the internet.
• On-premise: Installed on private servers within the company.
• Open-source: Publicly available source code that can be modified.
• Custom-built: Designed based on specific company needs.
• Mobile LMS: Accessed via smartphones, tablets, and similar devices.

Third-party integrations:

Make sure the LMS you choose enables third-party integrations like Zoom, Shopify, PayPal, Microsoft Teams, and Mailchimp.

Security:

• Two-factor authentication
• Single sign-on (SSO)
• Data encryption
• User roles and permissions
• System audit logs
• GDPR Compliance

Data updates and backups:

The platform you choose should offer regular backups to prevent data loss and updates to fix issues.

Create Your First Training Module with Coursebox AI!

Modules might be small, but they’re key to successful training.

With the right LMS partner, you can build effective training modules that help learners succeed. Coursebox AI makes creating, scaling, and measuring your training easy.

Explore our pricing plans or start free for a risk-free experience!