E-learning is one of the most important trends in corporate training.
The current generation of employees is accustomed to getting information at their fingertips, and they expect that same level of responsiveness from their employers. However, many companies struggle with delivering digital learning in a way that meets the needs of both employees and organizations.
What is E-learning?
E-learning delivers training topics through a digital platform. It can include videos, reviewing materials on a computer, or using an online platform. E-learning can incorporate multiple tools in one place to improve the learning process and make it more comprehensive.
Learning that incorporates digital and electronic methods can be used alone, or it can be used to support in-person training. This is known as blended learning.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that corporations need to choose one platform or format over the other,” said Monica Hernandez, who has been in human resources for 20 years. “E-learning can supplement in-person training – using the best of both worlds. It leverages technology to ensure accessibility of training material and flexibility and convenience to the learners and facilitators. You can use various formats like self-paced learning, live format, social learning, etc., to augment the efficiency of your corporate training.”
Why Should Corporations Invest in E-learning?
As more and more employees become accustomed to digital training, corporations can easily leverage this trend and save on costs.
- E-learning also makes it easy for employees to access relevant information at any time or place;
- If an employee is unable to make it into training due to a scheduling conflict or illness, he/she will still be able to access the same information through an app or web portal;
- The training materials are available at a later date for easy reference or a quick refresher;
- Digital learning makes sure that every employee has access to all relevant training material in a consistent manner so that no one misses out on important details which could affect their performance at work later down the road.
Tips to Manage E-Learning for Corporate Training
E-learning has become an important part of corporate training, and it’s a trend that will only continue. But with all the benefits of digital learning, it can also present some challenges. Here are five tips for managing digital learning during corporate training:
1. Identify learning needs and knowledge gaps.
Before implementing e-learning, identify the skills and knowledge gaps within your organization. This will help you determine what courses or programs to offer to your employees. By tailoring e-learning to the specific needs of your organization, you will increase engagement and the effectiveness of the training.
2. Make sure your learners know how to use the system before they start their courses.
“It’s not enough to just say “click this button” and then leave them alone,” said Hernandez. “Make sure they know how to navigate through the system and access all of its features.”
3. Provide support for learners who are struggling to learn on their own or who aren’t getting enough help from coworkers.
This may mean creating a shadowing program. Consider appointing an experienced employee to check in with team members who may be learning something new.
4. Ensure you track team members’ progress and celebrate their wins.
At MindForge, administrators can download Certificates of Completion for team members who have successfully conducted the training. This can be shared with the employee and added to their employee file.
5. Break training up into micro-learnings.
According to one study by the American Psychological Association, people remember only 20% of what they learn after two hours of training. So, if you spend more than two hours teaching or demonstrating something, consider breaking it up into smaller micro-learnings that can be taken over time. You’ll get more out of each session, and your trainees will have more time to practice what they’ve learned before moving on. With MindForge, administrators have the option of sending out reinforcing messages to those who received training to make sure everyone understands how to apply the learning objective to their daily work.
Summary
E-learning is the future of corporate training. It’s a cost-effective and efficient way to train employees worldwide, in real time.
It offers many benefits to both employees and the company itself. It also allows companies to save costs on travel and accommodation, which means more money can be spent on other things that are beneficial for the business.