Even though eLearning is not a new concept, those who favor ILT are not convinced that online training is effective at producing the desired outcomes. For others who see the convenience and cost effectiveness of online learning, there may still be some hesitance among the organization’s leadership. So, here are several reasons why eLearning really does work for learners.
Multimedia
Rather than listening to someone drone on in front of a training class, and tuning them out, the variety of stimuli available in a training course has the potential to better keep the learner’s attention, leading to greater retention. Video, images, graphs, simulations, quizzes, audio, all help a learner stay engaged.
Self-Paced and Personalized
Taking a course online allows a learner to move through the content at their own pace decreasing boredom and fatigue. Additionally, the ability to prescribe curriculum that relates to just one job title means the content is more personal to them. Instead of sitting through a one-size-fits-all session, the learner has targeted and specific training that makes sense and motivates the learner to complete the course because it pertains to them.
Freedom to Fail Without Embarrassment
You ever sit through an instructor led training session, the instructor asks a question hoping to get engagement out of the learners and what they get is silence, because no one wants to give the wrong answer? Online training allows the learner the freedom to take a chance on what they know or don’t know without the public embarrassment of being wrong or being corrected in front of others. As such they are more willing to engage, to explore possible solutions, test ideas, and accept failure as part of the learning process.
But what about the results?
Here are some statistics on the effectiveness of eLearning:
- eLearning increases retention rates up to 60%
- Using gamification, learners scored 15% higher in skill-based knowledge and 9% higher than using traditional training methods
- Companies using eLearning see a revenue per employee increase of 26%
- eLearning can cover up to 5x the material of ILT in the same amount of time
- For every $1 spent on eLearning there is a $30 increase in productivity
If you’re still not sold on eLearning, try a blended approach. Give learners online prerequisites and pdf handouts to bring to class. Start small and see if eLearning really does work for your organization.
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