Since the introduction of the first online learning environment in the late ‘80s, eLearning has become an integral part of the business. But what are the examples and benefits of eLearning? What does a good eLearning program look like, and how do you set it up? Keep on reading to transform your eLearning program into a success!
What is eLearning?
By definition, eLearning is learning with a digital device. Whether it concerns watching an educational instructional video on YouTube, following online training, or filling out a digital questionnaire, it’s all eLearning. Moving from more traditional forms of learning, such as classroom training, we are now familiar with more and more forms of eLearning designed for all different needs in organizations.
What are the differences between eLearning, mobile learning, and microlearning?
These online training forms differ in how employees are offered the teaching material. Traditional eLearning content is divided into modules of longer duration, as it is designed for people who work with desktops. With mobile learning, employees follow snackable training courses via a mobile device, such as smartphones or tablets. They can complete courses anywhere they want, in small bites. These bite-sized learning form the perfect approach for deskless employees!
Microlearning is a form of online training where the training is varied and lasts a maximum of five minutes. Think of short videos, article summaries, infographics, polls, links, and images. With microlearning, you offer information and teaching material as efficiently and briefly as possible, making it suitable for employees with a short attention span. In addition, microlearning is ideal for quick business updates, such as new menus in restaurants or upcoming campaigns. Below you will find an animation with an example of microlearning via an employee app.
More information on the different forms of online training can be found in our blog post about the differences between eLearning, mobile learning, and microlearning.
For what purposes can companies use eLearning?
Do you want to inform your frontline employees about a new cash register system? Would you like to inform them about products, and upcoming promotions or learn new sales techniques? eLearning is a suitable means for all these goals. Also, stimulating development through eLearning is a good idea if you want to create a more efficient, productive, competitive, and engaged workforce. The smoother employees learn and develop, the faster they put what they have learned into practice, leading to improved customer service and employee retention.
What are the benefits of eLearning for employees?
Online learning is more than just a hot topic. Some of the benefits of eLearning, which many retail companies and employees have now experienced and endorse, are:
- Flexibility: employees can learn where and when it suits them at their own pace. If the teaching material changes, you can implement changes quickly and easily.
- Cheaper: eLearning is cheaper than classical and physical forms of training. You save costs for stuff like the lecturer, location rental, course material and travel expenses.
- Time-safer: it costs both the trainer and the employee less time. Making developing skills and expanding knowledge a more efficient process. Learn more in less time, who doesn’t want that?
- Fun: partly thanks to the modern and clear learning environment, gamification, and interaction, learning can transform in an entertaining experience!
- Tailored: online learning fits well with the needs of younger employees.
- Sustainable: eLearning is better for the environment than classroom learning.
What requirements should a good eLearning program meet?
When introducing an eLearning program, you naturally want it to work and achieve its goal. Here are some tips for a successful eLearning program:
- Train the whole team;
- Provide targeted training;
- Keep the eLearning up-to-date;
- Facilitate mobile eLearning, especially for employees who do not often or like to sit in front of a computer (see animation below for an example);
- Use a content mix;
- Involve your employees;
- Measure effectiveness;
- Don’t rule out face-to-face learning;
- Choose the right eLearning platform;
- Integrate with the entire digital employee experience.
You can read more about this in our blog, ’10 things to consider when setting up your eLearning program’.
How can you set up your own eLearning program?
How do you set up a good eLearning program that meets all your requirments? Two golden tips: Firstly, start setting the goals you want to achieve, these must be in relation to your employees. Generally people find it hard to concentrate for more than ten minutes – and that certainly applies to non-desk employees too – so bare this in mind when developing courses. Second, ask them what they think about the trainings, get feedback from your employees. This way, employees learn faster and you get useful input for continuously improving your eLearning program.
What do you need to make eLearning within a company successful?
We have already mentioned multiple success factors of an eLearning program. Yet something else is essential: engaging your employees! After all, they will be the ones using the eLearning modules. To encourage them to do this and to get the most out of eLearning, we recommend choosing a modern, user-friendly and accessible platform. The more attractive the eLearning app, the more employees are inclined to view the content and follow the courses. You could, for example, include gamification to make learning even more fun!
With the Oneteam app, employees can – in addition to following training courses – do so much more! In this all-in-one employee app, they can communicate with each other in group chats, motivate and enthuse each other, follow digital training modules, utilize forms and checklists, and ultimately become more successful and engaged.
Do you want to know more about this employee app? Watch the explanation video below, request a live product demo and discover what Oneteam has to offer.
