Is Instructor-Led Training Still Relevant in 2026?

#eLearning #InstructionalDesign #LearningAndDevelopment
Where does instructor-led training (ILT) fit in a world dominated by eLearning, digital learning, and AI?

With organizations pushing toward scalable, self-paced learning, content libraries, and AI-generated everything, it’s easy to assume that instructor-led training is becoming less relevant.

But that’s not the full picture.

In this conversation, I sit down with Katrina Kennedy to explore where instructor-led training actually fits in today’s learning and development landscape, and why it still plays a critical role.

We go beyond the surface-level conversation and talk about what ILT offers that digital learning often can’t.

We talk about:

- Where instructor-led training fits in a digital-first, AI-driven world
- The gap between LinkedIn conversations and real-world L&D work
- Why human connection still matters in learning
- When ILT makes more sense than eLearning
- Why blended learning is often the best solution
- How to choose the right modality based on performance needs
- The role of AI in facilitation and instructional design

Because here’s the truth: This isn’t really a conversation about modalities.

It’s a conversation about instructional design fundamentals. It’s about understanding performance, understanding the learner, and choosing the right approach based on what people actually need to do on the job.

So whether you’re new to instructional design, working in learning and development, or trying to figure out where instructor-led training fits in a digital and AI-driven world, this conversation will help you think more practically about how learning actually works.

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If this resonates with you and you want to strengthen your instructional design skills in a real-world, practical way, check out my Instructional Design Certificate Program.

It’s an 8-week, live, virtual experience where you’ll learn how to:

- Analyze performance problems
- Design effective learning solutions
- Work with stakeholders and SMEs
- Apply AI in practical, meaningful ways

🔗 Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4cugk7X

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Follow The eLearning Designer’s Academy:
🔗 Website: https://elearningacademy.io
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elearningacdmy/

Follow Tim Slade:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sladetim

Follow Katrina Kennedy:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakennedytraining/
🔗 Website: https://www.katrinakennedy.com/
🔗 Book: Learning That Lasts: https://amzn.to/3PSLehb

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Timestamps:
00:00 Where Does ILT Fit Today?
02:55 Meet Katrina Kennedy
04:06 LinkedIn vs Reality in L&D
06:35 Why Instructor-Led Training Stays Hidden
08:27 Trainer vs Facilitator vs Instructional Designer
11:40 Where ILT Fits in Today’s L&D Landscape
12:42 Connection Over Content
15:53 Returning to In-Person Learning
17:25 Relearning Social Learning After COVID
19:09 Awkward Laptops and In-Person Learning
20:19 Office Nostalgia & Human Connection
21:28 Why On-Site Work Changes Perspective
23:36 Why Blended Learning Works
26:37 Choosing ILT vs Digital Learning
31:40 Why Organizations Default to eLearning
34:13 AI in the World of Facilitation
37:54 Advice for New Instructional Designers
39:30 Back to Performance-Based Design
40:27 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

#ILT #BlendedLearning #AI #LearningDesign