The paradigm shift in training industries from offline training to remote online learning is a recent phenomenon that happened due to the global pandemic. The lockdown era led almost every industry to adopt EdTech like e-learning platforms and learning management systems (LMS). Learning and Development Departments in most industries started conducting corporate training sessions and corporate training programs via online mode. In this new landscape, the advantages of e-learning became transparent, and those who were unable to embrace it were left in the dust.
With the help of e-learning, training companies can achieve new business goals and modify their training programs. Free of impediments like the training budget and physical limitations like training place, instructor, and training instruments, e-learning will soon become future corporate training.
So if you are looking for the best e-learning platform for your business, or you as an individual, planning for online learning, then read the full article. Today, we will give you some tips on how to choose the best e-learning platform for your business.
What is e-learning?
e-learning, aka electronic learning, refers to the process of learning and streaming through digital and electronic mediums. It is an integrated environment that provides learners with different resources to deliver educational content. Learners are free to access these resources at their own pace through any means of electronic devices.
It was 1999 when the term e-learning was first introduced by Elliott Maisie. Although e-learning was introduced in educational institutions first, it soon entered the corporate world by 2010. The recent landscape has increased the self-paced online learning or e-learning market, and it currently stands near $103.8 billion dollars.
Features of e-learning platforms:
Nowadays, you will find thousands of e-learning platforms that offer various online features to train and educate learners. These features are key factors that can determine which e-learning platform is best suited for your business. A good e-learning platform should include:
1. Virtual classrooms
Unlike traditional classrooms, a virtual classroom contains every feature of a traditional classroom except it is conducted online. A good e-learning platform should have all the necessary tools for streaming videos, online broadcasting, interactive chats and discussions, one-to-one real-time communication, feedback feature, and Q&A sessions.
2. Features to evaluate the learning development process
A good e-learning platform should have tools that can test and evaluate learners on their skills. Educators or corporate trainers should be able to assess learners’ progress and their limitations. Many e-learning platforms have a dashboard and rankings where learners can compete with others.
3. Administrative equipment
Nowadays e-learning platforms also offer advanced LMS features like providing roles to ensure the integrity of learning. There are also features like tracking progress and attendance, generating report cards, managing and tracking expenses, etc.
4. Data analytics
A professional e-learning platform can collect and generate a vast amount of data. This data can help companies to figure out whether they should invest more in their e-learning platform or not.
Along with the 4 typical e-learning platform features, there are a few other features as well:
- Discussion forums
- Grading
- Push notifications
- Online calendar
- Online tests and quizzes
- Files upload/download options
- Instant messages
- Sharing via social media, etc.
To know more about what exactly e-learning is, please check our previous blog here.
Types of e-learning Available
e-learning platforms also come in various forms and offer many modes to learners. Here are some of the basic types of e-learning options that are available in the market:
- One-on-one learning
- Group learning
- Article-based learning
- Course-based learning
- Lesson-based learning
- Video-based learning
- Self-paced learning
- “Lesson a day” learning
- Game and activity-based learning
- App-based learning
How can LMS help provide e-learning?
e-learning is different from learning management systems. Although it is a part of e-learning, there are some differences between them. LMS helps businesses to create and generate their own content. Whether it’s to train the employees or reduce training costs, LMS systems play an essential role in the growth of businesses. LMS enables learners to access training modules from other businesses to be open to others outside their organization. There are few such modules like SAP’s courses, for example, Six Sigma, PMO, PMP certifications, etc.
However, that’s not all. LMS can also help in adopting e-learning. But how do businesses make a profit out of them? e-learning platforms are available in two forms primarily. One is the consumer-facing platform (B2C), and the second is the enterprise platform (B2B). An e-learning platform gets to profit from both B2B and B2C markets. Each e-learning platform has its own business model that organizes the products to different sellers accordingly. If it’s the B2C (business to customers) marketplace, then the enterprise or the company that buys an e-learning platform only works as a mediator, and they don’t have the ownership of the product or services. Therefore, the company that buys the platform only charges a minimum commission for providing the seller with a huge customer base. As an example, if companies such as eBay or Amazon are the sellers, that means that they only act as the medium between the buyers and sellers.
Which industries or professions opt for e-learning often?
e-learning helps not only SMBs and large enterprises, non-profit but also governmental organizations.
Almost 30% of LMS buyers are tech companies. And 65% of LMS users are C-level executives.
Trainers who are in need of Continuing Professional Development, aka CPD, usually opt for e-learning often. Industries like the healthcare industry, aviation industry, tourism and hotel Management industry, high tech companies, software development companies, blockchain, cryptocurrency companies, and banking industry are in constant need of their employees to undergo training that can help them to develop personal skills and build expertise. There are many online training provided by companies, such as industrial training, retail training, management training programs, healthcare training programs, IT training courses online, etc.
Here are some popular courses for high demand professions:
- Data science course
- Machine Learning Course
- Online Nursing course
- Full Stack Development course
- Physical therapy course
- Cyber Security course
- AI learning course
- MBA course
To know how e-learning helps one to grow, do check our previous blog here.
How to choose the best platform?
Now that we have mentioned all the advantages and merits of e-learning in your business, it’s time to give you some tips to make the right decision when you are choosing an e-learning platform for your company. Here are some 5 factors that you should consider while choosing the best e-learning platform.
1. Choose the one that meets your needs:
It’s important to make a list of all your requirements and needs before you start looking for an e-learning platform. If you are a developer, then check whether your e-learning platform has multimedia functions or not. A good e-learning platform should have all the features that we have mentioned in the above section. For instance, if your courses have audio and video content, you will need a platform that can support both audio and video formats.
2. Do an online search:
Searching online is the best way to find a good e-learning platform. Check which courses are in demand and whether the e-learning platform is offering those courses or not. Another best way to assess the e-learning platform is by checking user ratings and course details.
3. Consider your budget before buying:
You also need to consider your budget. More features mean the more expensive the platform is. Choosing a platform with complex features can also cause problems, so it is better to look for an efficient platform that meets all your needs.
4. Is it Mobile-friendly?
There are many e-learning platforms that you can not access with your smartphone. You need to make sure that the platform in question has cross-platform functionality. Nowadays, most people feel comfortable doing all their jobs and even study from their mobile phone or tab. If your e-learning platform is mobile-friendly, it will help your employees to access training modules whenever they want.
5. Is it secure?
Today e-learning platforms consist of vast data, including students’ personal data and company data. While looking for an e-learning platform, make sure that your e-learning platform has a proper end-to-end encrypted security system to protect this data and to avoid any viruses from entering into the software.
6. Easy to use:
Nobody likes an online learning platform to have complex features and user-unfriendly interfaces. You need to find a platform that is easy to use and navigate. The more simple designs will be, the more your learners will show their interest.
Conclusion
Using online learning and training courses has become a common practice among interns and freshly recruited employees.
Almost 70% of corporate companies are using e-learning platforms to train their employees.
In retrospect, e-learning platforms can help employees to develop more work-based skills and expertise that will enable them to achieve their career goals. Moreover, it’s the business that can gain the most profit out of this. e-learning will lead you and your business to a brighter future.
