What is e-learning in companies? All about e-learning for employees
HR managers and team managers, your company's trainingneeds are growing as fast as your desire for a piña colada on a Bali beach. 😅
We know that one of the main challenges of today's companies is to keep employees up to date... and to offer them the possibility of training from Bali. That's why today we would like to introduce you to e-learning in companies and its advantages (besides the sun and the cocktail).
If my previous argument is enough for you and you don't need to know the other benefits for the company, then discover the 3 most used tools to implement e-learningnow .
What is elearning in companies?
E-learning is a distance learning system that is organised remotely and online, using IT tools (computers, tablets, smartphones and... an Internet connection). E-learning consists of making available to a learner or a group of learners modules providing educational content that can include different interactions: mini-games, multiple-choice quizzes and surveys.
These are some of the most commonly used terms for elearning:
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Distance learning,
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distance learning,
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e-learning ,
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online training,
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e-learning.
E-learning is more than a tool, it is a new way of learning. The European Union underlines this in its definition: "e-learning is the use of new multimedia Internet technologies to improve the quality of learning by facilitating, on the one hand, access to resources and services and, on the other hand, remote exchanges and collaboration".
Important features of elearning for enterprises
1. Develop a customised training programme
E-learning offers greater personalisation of content. The aim is to adapt to your professional and educational objectives and to the initial skills of the participants. Publishers of e-learning platforms offer companies the possibility to create:
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online courses,
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skills tests,
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quizzes and assessments,
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practical worksheets.
In the same logic, publishers give the possibility to develop their own serious game. Serious game is an educational video game. The training tools allow you to create the decoration, the characters and the situations.
These ready-to-use kits allow you to digitise the content for distribution on a social and gamified platform. The result? A didactic and customised training plan that meets your expectations and adapts to your employees' work environment.
2. Materialise employee progress
E-learning makes it possible to personalise both the process and the monitoring of the learner's progress. Different scenarios are set up in order to adapt to the player's behaviour. As a result, the report presented to the learner is a reflection of his individual experience. This report decodes their results and proposes concrete ways of improvement.
In addition, a certificate can be given to the learner, a symbol of recognition for the efforts made and the culmination of a new achievement.
Advantages of e-learning in companies: customised learning processes
1. Low-cost training
To learn online, you simply need
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a computer,
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an internet connection,
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a quiet place.
There is no need to book or rent an office, a video projector or multiple paper supports. We are far below the costs of classroom training: staff travel, accommodation, catering, tutor...
E-learning saves these costs and is more environmentally friendly: fewer documents and no travel required.
2. Easy to implement programmes
The number of participants is unlimited, whereas face-to-face training is not (limited space or lack of teachers). The company also avoids geographical restrictions: you can simultaneously train employees located at different sites.
E-learning is also much quicker to implement: training can be put online quickly, allowing just-in-time training (anytime, anywhere).
Logistically, the inconvenience is minimal: employees receive training from their workstation, working conditions permitting.
3. Flexibility of schedules
Face-to-face training often blocks whole or half days, while e-learning or online training can be divided into short modules. The employee can fit them into his or her schedule more easily. Between two modules, he can always answer current issues or go to an important meeting.
The device is flexible enough to adapt to availability without disrupting the learner's schedule.
4. Everyone at their own pace
The learner can review a module that is not quite clear and view the content as many times as necessary or, conversely, move quickly from one module to another if the content is already within the learner's grasp. Disparity of fees is no longer a problem.
In addition, in the classroom, the tutor usually progresses at an agreed pace: too fast for some, too slow for others. Online, everyone can follow the course in the way that suits them best. Similarly, self-assessment allows the learner to manage his or her own learning.
5. The playful dimension
Online learning supports are diverse:
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Texts.
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Graphics.
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Videos.
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Audio.
The content is dynamic and more informal. It is often associated with game mechanics, gaming or gamification. We are talking about a learning game. Many studies show that learning in a fun way favours assimilation. Scoring points, validating levels and earning badges are powerful motivators. In addition, learners are externally motivated by discovering others' scores, rankings and relative performance. Emulation occurs.
6. Collective experience
Virtual learning faces a major challenge: isolation. If the learner is "physically" alone, he/she must be surrounded online. That is why some elearning platforms offer a social learning space. A sort of forum or chat, the platforms promote exchanges. Learners are in a "virtual classroom". The sense of belonging makes the collective experience more concrete.
7. Deadlines for framing
To encourage participation, it is important to have collective deadlines. MOOCS (Massive Open Online Courses) intersperse the content to be followed individually in collective moments: group work, reciprocal corrections, web conferences... The dates of presentation are common and the transmissions are live. This simultaneity of peak moments punctuates the course in a collective dynamic.
Most used e-learning platforms
Organisations in the process of training the human capital of their companies must acquire a specialised tool to manage the online training of employees. The LMS (Learning Management System) or online learning management system will allow these companies to define, build and manage the training strategy in an easy way, but also to ensure a better evaluation of competencies.
Especially because this tool facilitates the integrated management of the employee's training plan and, at the same time, contributes to optimising talent management.
Chamilo LMS
Chamilo LMS is an open source virtual campus. It is an Open Source platform easy to use, its interface is intuitive and very complete.
3 super features
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Open source software characterised by the lightness in the consumption of technical resources.
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Complete suite of teaching and administrative tools.
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Ethical and supportive development model.
Chamilo
evolCampus
evolCampus is an online elearning software. It is a ready-to-use platform that allows companies to create training plans for their employees in a few minutes. In addition, it is possible to customise the tool: logo, URL, etc. evolCampus complies with the guidelines for e-learning published by FUNDAE on 30/11/2016.
3 super functionalities
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Special user for SEPE inspections.
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Possibility of integrating evolCampus with videoconferencing systems: Gotomeeting, Zoom, Clickmeeting and Bigmarker.
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Debate forums to dynamise and encourage the participation of teachers and students.
evolCampus
Moodle
Moodle is an open source learning platform for creating effective online teaching and learning experiences in a collaborative and private environment.
3 super features
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Support of a large worldwide community (forums in different languages).
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Simple interface: drag and drop, documentation, continuous improvements in usability.
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Like Chamilo, it is Open Source: anyone can adapt, extend or modify Moodle, both for commercial and non-commercial projects.
Moodle
To sum up...
For companies, e-learning allows a precise monitoring of each employee's progress and new skills, as well as a considerable reduction of costs 🤑.
At the same time, employees not only acquire new skills, but also have the possibility of a collective and playful experience.
In-company training doesn't have to be just another process, you can turn it into a game mechanic that promotes participation and cohesion. Make back-to-school a unique experience!
The best part? There are tools that with a couple of clicks allow you to benefit from all these millennial benefits and many more.
Doubts, questions, experiences? Leave them in the comments!
Article translated from Spanish