Online learning has rapidly increased in popularity in the last two decades, as many industries have embraced new methods of learning and development that reflect the realities of 21st century living. In fact, 99% of course administrators have seen increased demand for online learning in recent years!
This has only been amplified by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses are increasingly opting for e-learning to meet their needs, with some studies showing that 98% of participating organisations turned to online learning during the pandemic.
E-learning has proven to be a useful resource with many advantages for businesses as they navigate the ‘new normal’, but it is important to assess the needs and goals of your business to find the right learning solution for you.
What is e-learning?
Electronic learning, or e-learning, is a way of delivering learning content via electronic communication. Over the years, this has taken many forms such as video lectures, ebooks and online forums. Today, e-learning is typically administered via learning management systems (LMS): a type of software that hosts learning materials for various organisations, allowing them to create online courses and deliver assessments and awards.
E-learning advantages
What are some of the main benefits of e-learning?
1. Distance learning
Even more important post-pandemic, e-learning gives businesses the ability to conduct learning remotely and offers employees greater flexibility over when and where they can access training –offering a practical and accessible alternative to face-to-face learning.
2. Low cost to implement
In comparison to traditional learning formats, e-learning has been proven to reduce costs for businesses. By allowing learners to access content remotely, e-learning eliminates expenses such as travel, venue hire and materials and replaces them with a cost-effective, centralised learning model that can be accessed anywhere, anytime.
3. Results and retention
E-learning is simply more well suited to the modern learner, helping employees learn more at a faster pace by offering engaging, interactive content that encourages retention and improved performance. Developing skills through e-learning has beneficial results for overall business performance by encouraging productivity, efficiency and innovation.
4. Employee engagement
E-learning has proven itself to be an invaluable resource in increasing employee engagement, with studies showing that businesses using e-learning technology have recorded an 18% increase in engagement. Increased employee engagement leads to increased job satisfaction, which benefits the business overall.
5. Personalisation
E-learning models recognise that different learners have different needs and goals. Utilising an e-learning platform allows businesses to respond to employees’ individual requirements and varying speeds of progress, and offer a more personalised learning experience –keeping them invested in their personal development.
How to conduct a training needs analysis
A training needs analysis can help you identify your organisation’s training requirements, and whether e-learning fits within them. Here are some easy steps to take when conducting a training needs analysis:
● Step 1: Identify expected performance
What level should your business be performing at? How is performance typically measured?
● Step 2: Identify current performance
Actually review your employees performance however best works for you.
● Step 3: Identify the performance gap
Determine actual employee performance against their expected performance. Is everyone where they should be?
● Step 4: Determine the cause
Many factors can influence employee performance. Find out what’s causing your performance gap so you can address it.
● Step 5: Propose a solution
Report your findings and recommend a solution!
There is no ‘one-size-fits all’ solution to a business’s training needs – you should always choose the method that is right for your business. A training needs analysis helps you target exactly where employee knowledge and skills require development and identify the correct solution for you.
Implementing e-learning in your organisation
Implementing e-learning can be a complex process that requires some consideration beforehand. It is important to review the readiness of your business in different areas such as content organisation, technology, infrastructure and stakeholder approval to ensure that all levels of the business are fully prepared.
There are many different strategies for adopting e-learning. Running a pilot project is an ideal way to demonstrate the potential functionality and benefits of an e-learning platform prior to a full rollout, and offers an opportunity to make any adjustments or improvements.
It is important to select an e-learning vendor that is right for your business. Conducting an e-learning comparison before you make your choice helps ensure that you find a vendor suitable for the needs and goals of your business.
There are many advantages to e-learning, especially as businesses continue to adjust to remote and hybrid working, but it is important that you find an e-learning solution that matches your training requirements.
Why Wranx?
Wranx is an e-learning platform specialising in microlearning techniques such as Spaced Repetition that improve employee knowledge, retention and engagement.
We take your existing training materials and convert them into e-learning modules and assessments that help to achieve your company’s training goals. Each module is created by a team of content writers, giving you a unique training program that uses Spaced Repetition, gamification and Certainty Based Marking (CBM) to deliver personalised learning opportunities and accurately measure employee knowledge and progress.
Our digital platform allows training to be completed on any device, at any time.
Find out more about our service here.
