In today’s fast-paced and distributed work environments, organizations are increasingly seeking more flexible, scalable, and efficient ways to train their workforce. One approach companies are taking to address this challenge is by transitioning from instructor-led training (ILT) to eLearning, which offers numerous benefits that align with the modern demands of learning and development.
One of the most compelling reasons to move to eLearning is its speed and flexibility. It also allows organizations to roll out training rapidly without waiting for lengthy development cycles and scheduling live sessions. eLearning also provides greater reach to virtually unlimited learners across multiple locations and time zones, who can access it without the constraints of classroom size, instructor availability, and travel logistics.
Costs of ILT
One primary reason for creating eLearning courses is the ongoing costs associated with building, delivering, and maintaining instructor-led training.
Creating one hour of ILT based on content provided by subject matter experts (SMEs) typically requires 30 to 40 hours of instructional design and development work using traditional learning development methods. This includes defining learning objectives, developing materials, and coordinating delivery logistics.
Generative AI tools can significantly streamline content development time. Still, the complexity of the material, instructional design requirements, and the hourly rate of training creators also influence development time and costs. Learning experts estimate that it can cost $3,000-$6,000 to develop one hour of ILT.
Each instructor-led training session also requires budgeting for delivery expenses, which may include trainer or facilitator fees, participant materials, facility rentals, travel and lodging, and any opportunity or replacement worker costs if learners are pulled from active duty. Here are the costs to consider for 1 hour of ILT (per session):
| Trainer/Facilitator Fee | $100 – $300 | Varies by experience and region. External consultants may charge more. |
| Materials | $10 – $50 per learner | Includes handouts, printed manuals, and job aids. |
| Facility Rental | $100 – $500+ | Depends on location and amenities; may be waived if on-site. |
| Travel & Expenses (Trainer) | $200 – $1,000+ | Includes transportation, lodging, and per diem. Varies with location. |
| Learner Opportunity Cost | $50 – $150 per learner | Represents productivity lost during training. |
| Replacement Worker Cost | Varies | Applicable in roles requiring coverage (e.g., call centers, hospitals). |
Costs of eLearning
One rule of thumb is to compress roughly three hours of classroom instruction into one hour of eLearning. However, not all topics lend themselves well to this format. Ideally, course lengths should aim for around 30 minutes, broken into four to six microlearning modules to improve learner engagement and retention while offering greater flexibility in development and deployment.
Cost estimates to develop eLearning depend on several factors, including whether the training creator uses generative AI tools, whether the course needs to be deployed across multiple formats (e.g., desktop, mobile, iOS, and Android), and the level of interactivity. Estimates for developing one hour of eLearning range from $12,000 for basic eLearning to over $25,000 for an advanced course.
While the initial costs for developing eLearning may be higher, the delivery costs can be significantly less.
| LMS Hosting & Licensing | $1 – $10 per learner | Depends on platform (e.g., Skilljar, Moodle, Docebo, SAP Litmos, TalentLMS, etc.) |
| IT Infrastructure | Minimal to moderate | Usually part of existing systems, cloud-hosted LMS reduces cost |
| Content Maintenance | $500 – $5,000 annually | To keep the course up to date over time |
| Bandwidth & Storage | Negligible per course | Unless hosting videos or large media files at scale |
| Support & Administration | $0.50 – $5 per learner | Includes helpdesk, user management, reporting, etc. |
| Learner Time / Productivity Cost | Varies by salary | If replacing paid work time with learning |
Based on the above estimates, ILT may appear more cost-effective for one-off sessions while eLearning proves more efficient over time.
Converting ILT to eLearning
Transitioning from ILT to eLearning involves more than just repurposing slides. It’s a thoughtful redesign that combines instructional design, technology, and learner-centric strategies to deliver practical, scalable, and engaging training.
Planning
The first step is to analyze the ILT course’s existing learning objectives to ensure the content is relevant and suitable for eLearning. Knowing whether the content is knowledge-based, skill-based, or performance-driven will help determine whether parts or all of it can be converted to a digital format.
Next, take inventory of all available training materials, such as slide decks, webinars, facilitator guides, handouts, case studies, videos, and assessments. Current, relevant materials can be repurposed to save time and cost.
Choose tools
Choosing the right tools and platforms is another critical part of the process. Depending on the complexity and interactivity required, you will need generative AI tools to create the training content and a delivery tool, such as a learning management system (LMS). You may also want to consider using tools for audio narration, video, animation, certification, and proctoring.
Build content
Once the content is organized, break it down into manageable, digestible segments. New AI tools designed specifically for creating training will make this process much easier than manual methods. The more advanced tools will combine content from multiple sources and extract the learning content. Some tools can also suggest interactive elements, such as drag-and-drop, click-and-reveal, scenario-based decision trees, and assessment questions.
Build an eLearning course
Once the content has been created, the next step is to build the course using the selected authoring tool. This will involve adding assessments, such as quizzes, simulations, or scenario questions, to replace or adapt ILT quizzes and discussions.
Test course
Before launching the course, verify that it renders as expected across multiple browsers and devices. Having a pilot group of learners or stakeholders review the content and provide feedback will yield more nuanced insights.
Launch eLearning course
Once testing is complete, the eLearning course is ready to be uploaded to the LMS or any other eLearning delivery platform. Learners should be given course access and notified via email or internal communication channels. Remember to have relevant courses on the customer or employee onboarding lists so new learners can access them.
Maintain eLearning course
Once the course has been completed, schedule periodic audits to review the content for accuracy, relevance, and alignment with current technologies and best practices. Use LMS analytics to track course completion rates, quiz scores, and user feedback. Low scores or negative comments may indicate confusing content, outdated information, or poor engagement—a signal that the course may require more extensive updates.
Worthwhile investment
Moving from instructor-led training to eLearning is an investment in money and time, but it can deliver significant long-term results. The key to getting it right is to leverage existing ILT resources, be selective about which content is transitioned to digital formats, use tools like AI to make the work easier, and ensure the content stays fresh.
