Courses Available Online, Virtually and Classroom
Fully Certified NEBOSH, IOSH, IEMA Accredited
7-Day Customer Service
Daniel Kerr MA PGCE

Online Learning - What's Stopping You?

Online Learning - What's Stopping You? If you are unsure about online learning read this post for good advice to reassure you about online learning.

July 2016

Many of you may have heard the drums beating about online learning, virtual or distance learning. According to a 2020 global survey by Statista, it is estimated that 64% of all learners are participating in online training courses, and that’s not including the sharp uptake in online learning since the COVID-19 crisis where so many of us are homeworking or have more time to take on a new training course.

You might be wondering whether a health, safety or environmental online course could work for you, but you are worried about whether the training materials are self-explanatory enough to make sense, especially if you are sat on your own with no-one on hand to guide you.

You won’t be surprised to learn that there is a lot of misinformation about online learning, and a lot of bad examples of online learning courses. Let me answer some of your questions, allay your fears and you may find that it is a good, and for some, the best, option for professional learning.

Is Fear of Technology Putting People Off?

There has been research done to find out what prevents people from participating in online learning. One of the biggest fears people have is that they will be expected to use technology that is unfamiliar to them. If this applies to you, rest assured that you are not alone. Click on this post addressing how to overcome 4 top fears of online learning.

The best courses are the most straightforward to use and you should have options that provide guidance for all learners however they feel about technology. You will need to use a PC or mobile device, but the technology should not get in the way of the learning. It is the training provider’s role to ensure you can access things easily and each step is well explained leaving you to focus on getting the most from the course.

Not all Online Learning is Created Equal

I still sometimes see examples of ‘online learning’ based around classroom presentations, with some additional features that have not been well thought out or explained. This is not typical anymore, but it is annoying that you are often required to pay your money before you can find out what a course is going to be like.

I’d strongly recommend you ask a potential provider for a demo version you can trial first-hand of the course or see if they have YouTube videos showing how the course works. If they are confident in their offering, they should have no problem with this. If you are considering training for several employees, then I would suggest this is an essential step before making your decision.

How to Ensure Confidence in the use of Technology

How can you be confident about using the technology? And as an employer how can you make sure that your employees feel confident enough to participate?

A good online course will have detailed guidance on how to get most of the course, detailing IT requirements and how to make use of them. Ideally this will take different forms (written, audio and maybe video) to accommodate different preferences for modes of learning.

It is important to make sure employees have time and guidance in using computers or mobile devices and accessing web-based learning, especially if using a computer does not form a major part of their day-to-day work. If you are in charge of your own learning, then you will need to make sure you have time allocated to ‘getting to know the course’ and making sure you are comfortable with what you will need to know about the technology.

Having good IT support in place will help to ensure that worries about technology will not get in the way of learners concentrating on the learning.

Won’t I be Learning on my Own?

Well, it’s true that you won’t be sitting looking at other people learning like you would in a classroom, but equally you won’t be feeling guilty replaying that video over and over again because you haven’t quite grasped it, or be waiting around because someone else wants the explanation repeated for the third time!

A good course will offer you the chance to contact a real person for help where you need it. If you get stuck there may well be a discussion forum where you can ask a question or maybe find out how things are done where someone else works. You should have someone that you can call or email for more help or clarification. Just because the course has been created for you, it doesn’t mean the training company can say - that’s it, you’re on your own now!

Some higher-level courses may offer features such as live webinars, with tutors presenting selected parts of the course and allowing for real-time question and answer sessions. While these may take a bit of getting used to, if they are well organised with practical ‘how to’ support, it should not require high-level technical expertise to effectively participate.

To discover more about the online learning experience, take a look at our blog.

Trial Online Learning Yourself

Given that many fears about the use of online learning technologies are unfounded or can be readily addressed, now is the time to trial online learning. Whether you are looking to improve your own professional knowledge or that of your workforce, online learning is a real option and using technology to learn shouldn’t be any more intimidating than using it for everyday work.

Related Blogs

  • NEBOSH General Certificate Further Study | What Comes Next? Image
    Jason Mordecai

    NEBOSH General Certificate Further Study | What Comes Next?

    Find out all the health and safety qualifications and courses available to you upon completion of the NEBOSH General Certificate course for those looking to become experts or specialise in a specific industry.
    09.07.25
  • HSE Asbestos Statistics Summary and Expert Analysis Image
    Brenig Moore DipNEBOSH, CMIOSH, CEnvH

    HSE Asbestos Statistics Summary and Expert Analysis

    Read our expert analysis of the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Asbestos statistics latest update as we look at the trends over time, key takeaways and why numbers of deaths are falling.
    08.07.25
  • UK Fatal Injury Statistics Summary & Key Takeaways | Safety Expert Explains Image
    Brenig Moore DipNEBOSH, CMIOSH, CEnvH

    UK Fatal Injury Statistics Summary & Key Takeaways | Safety Expert Explains

    Find out why the latest Health and Safety Executive fatal injury statistics update has revealed some worrying trends, with increasing fatalities in construction and agriculture, self-employed workers at risk, and public deaths rapidly rising.
    02.07.25
  • What Is Occupational Health and Safety? Everything You Need to Know Image
    Andrew Froude B.Eng (Hons), CMIOSH, MIIRSM, OSHCR

    What Is Occupational Health and Safety? Everything You Need to Know

    Find out what occupational health and safety (OHS) means as summarise it's essential elements including how OHS professionals are trained, why it's important and it's storied history.
    30.06.25
  • Glossary for Decarbonisation Phrases & Terminology: Breaking Down the Jargon Image
    Kathryn Jenkins PIEMA, MSc, BSc (Hons), LLB (Hons)

    Glossary for Decarbonisation Phrases & Terminology: Breaking Down the Jargon

    Read through our full glossary of decarbonisation and sustainability terms, so you can cut through the industry jargon and understand key environmental topics.
    25.06.25
  • How to Write a Workplace Fire Risk Assessment | Template Included Image
    Brenig Moore DipNEBOSH, CMIOSH, CEnvH

    How to Write a Workplace Fire Risk Assessment | Template Included

    Find out all you need to know about creating fire risk assessments for workplaces, with expert recommendations on third-party costs, the five steps needed and in-company training options.
    24.06.25
Section Curve
Case Studies

Real Life Stories

Find out how learners look back on their training with Astutis. Our case studies give our learners, both individual and corporate, a platform to share their Astutis experience. Discover how training with Astutis has helped past learners and delegates make the world a safer place, one course at a time.
More Image
Bottom Curve
What People Say

Hear What Our Learners Have To Say

We're always there for our customers. 98% of our learners rated their overall experience as good or outstanding. We will always pride ourselves on our customer service. But don’t take our word for it, here is what our customers have to say
  • "Cusomer service at the highest standard, friendly courses, helped me with passing at 1st time even taking in considerastion the fact I am not a native English speaker :)"

    Marta
    10.07.2025
  • "Very intuitivee and well organised"

    Marta
    10.07.2025
  • "Fantastic course I fully recommended"

    Hristo
    07.07.2025
  • "Fully recomended"

    Hristo
    07.07.2025
  • "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire Astutis team for their outstanding support throughout my NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma journey. This was my first ever course with Astutis as distant learner, and naturally, I had a lot of doubts at the beginning. However, the structured course material, the expertise of your instructors, and the timely assistance I received made a significant difference. I am pleased to share that I passed all three units on my first attempt, which reflects the quality of your training and the accuracy of your 85% first-time pass rate claim. The diploma has strengthened my understanding of health and safety and given me the confidence to apply this knowledge in my professional role. I truly appreciate the professionalism, dedication, and learner-focused approach your team demonstrated at every stage. I would highly recommend Astutis to anyone considering the NEBOSH Diploma or any other health and safety course. I am grateful for the positive learning experience you provided."

    Tauseef
    29.06.2025
  • "The NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma course offered by Astutis is exceptionally well-structured and comprehensive. The course materials are detailed, clearly presented, and supported by practical examples that help in understanding complex health and safety concepts. One of the most valuable aspects of the course is the Astutis online learning platform, which provides easy access to all study resources and allows interaction with other learners. The opportunity to engage with peers enhances the overall learning experience. Additionally, the inclusion of YouTube video content alongside the course materials made it easier to grasp key concepts and apply them effectively. This well-rounded approach played a significant role in helping me pass all three units on my first attempt."

    Tauseef
    29.06.2025
  • "Thoroughly professional course, with engaging and articulate delivery. I would highly recommend Astutis for training."

    Barry Sherwell
    29.06.2025
  • "Thoroughly professional, with engaging and articulate delivery. I would highly recommend."

    Barry Sherwell
    29.06.2025
  • "Great training, from highly competent and motivated tutors who delivered a very engaging course."

    Toby
    25.06.2025
  • "Great training, from highly competent and motivated tutors who delivered a very engaging course."

    Toby
    25.06.2025