Web-delivered learning is gaining ground on more traditional forms of learning, according to a new survey.

Research by Echelon Learning, has shown that while classroom-based training is the most popular method of gaining a skill, web-delivered learning comes second.

When it came to acquiring information to meet an immediate business need, online text based materials scored highest - ahead of classroom based learning and books.

According to Echelon's David Hill, this is because the Internet has opened up the capability for 'instant research and reference', enabling performance to be supported at the time of need.

When choosing development materials, respondents rated the 'depth of content' ahead of 'speed of access', 'tutor support' and 'level on interaction with material' . They said that the least important factor was the level of interaction with other learners .

Mr Hill said: "Respondents rated classroom based and web-delivered learning as the key delivery mechanisms of a blended programme. This combination enables knowledge to be developed prior to training and learning to be accessed post-training on a 'when needed' basis."

The research was carried out in February 2004 and had over 100 respondents made up of trainers and HR professionals.