Many organizations spend a lot of time and resources to develop their training programs. They hire instructors and implement long-standing strategies. However, they could perhaps benefit from diversifying the delivery method of their content. Many organizations are interested in incorporating e-learning but do not know how.
There is an abundance of great learning content out there, immediately available and perfect for your organization. But knowing where to look can be challenging. With so many options, how do you know what is best for your learning program? How can you determine if an e-learning program will effectively motivate, train and certify your workforce?
ILT is no Longer King.
Instructor-led training (ILT) will always have its merits. It is impossible to replace something as personal and adaptive as a live instructor who can accommodate users’ specific needs. When you consider augmenting your learning program with e-learning, remember that you are not attempting to replace your ILT program.
We expect a lot from our employees. In the time of lean business models, so many of us find ourselves wearing hats of many sizes, colors and purposes. Workers are very busy and also much more mobile. Why not cater to this new way of doing business? Enable your road warriors to access required content from anywhere. Lessen the burden of needing to be available during certain times, and place more emphasis on accomplishing tasks at hand.
The Benefits of E-Learning
The benefits of incorporating e-learning within your already-established training regimen are seemingly boundless. Task your trainers with less, but accomplish the same amount of training with fewer inflexible calendar entries that pull your personnel away from their responsibilities. E-learning allows your workforce to train as they need to and opens up the catalog, allowing for a greater range of learnable topics. Provide for gap analysis by allowing employees to identify the skills they need to develop in order to progress or be perceived as more valuable by the organization.
How to Get There
The first step toward adopting a blended learning program is recognizing what e-learning can add to your program. After recognizing the benefits, craft a message aimed at decision-makers within your organization. Upon obtaining buy-in, begin evaluating delivery methods. Specifically, consider investing in a specialty learning management system (LMS) that can accommodate the goals of your blended learning program. Find one that specifically aids in the scheduling of your ILT offerings and easily hosts a wide variety of e-learning modules and documents to extend their reach.
Once you have selected your LMS, focus on content. Start small. Consider adding only those courses that will streamline compliance offerings or existing courses. Don’t be afraid of pre-existing content; it’s the quickest way to get your program up to speed. Don’t worry about retaining the brand image of your organization; most off-the-shelf e-learning content is configurable to your brand and can quickly acclimate your users to the features of your new courses.
Once employees have realized the benefits of e-learning and are actively participating in your new course offerings, consider hiring or consulting instructional designers. These experienced professionals can quickly evaluate the state of your current learning program and help you extend its reach. It is important not to neglect the capabilities you will unlock with expansion: mobile learning, microlearning and 24/7 global availability. They are critical in getting the most out of your learning program.
E-learning extends the overall reach of your established learning programs and allows for more actionable learning events. When considering developing an e-learning program, remember that it is not an all-or-nothing practice. It’s OK to slowly build the groundwork to lay the foundation for a successful e-learning program. You will see an immediate spike in user participation.
The benefits of e-learning are vast, and the sooner you can bring it into your organization, the better. Follow these steps to take advantage of these benefits and immediately elevate your program.
