Ideal for businesses looking to encourage staff to develop personally and professionally from home.
We all know that learning is vital for growth – whether that’s academic progress or professional development – but for lots of people, the very word brings up memories of stuffy classrooms, boring textbooks, and uninspiring lessons.
Nowadays, however, things have most definitely changed. E-Learning (or electronic learning) has grown exponentially in prevalence, offering us new and exciting ways to use technology to educate ourselves and broaden our horizons. What’s more, it has become something of a necessity in recent months, allowing those forced to study or work from home access to knowledge and materials usually reserved for face-to-face use.
There are a whole wealth of advantages to digital learning, from improved opportunities for personalisation of the education experience to gamification and convenience. Should you be considering new ways to help educate your staff remotely and safely, then read on; here are 4 reasons why your company should be embracing eLearning, IDEAL for businesses looking to encourage staff to develop personally and professionally from home.
eLEARNING IS FLEXIBLE
Digital learning has brought an unprecedented level of flexibility to education and remote training. One of the most obvious ways in which it has done this is by enabling people to access learning materials and resources from anywhere with an internet connection. This means that wherever you are in the world, you can enrol on courses with the educational institutions that you are most interested in, on the courses that excite you the most, as well as receive training from your workplace and engage with your colleagues from a distance.
It also allows people to study at a time of day that best suits them, from the place that they prefer, and to work at a pace that is most effective for them. This means that even if you have work commitments or family obligations, you can still take part in eLearning.
In itself, this has opened doors for so many people who would otherwise be unable to continue their education due to their life circumstances. And that level of inclusivity and broadened opportunity is definitely something to be embraced.
eLEARNING IS CUTTING EDGE
eLearning is in many ways at the forefront of a certain field of technology, where personalisation of the digital experience can enhance the goals of the user limitlessly. It utilises a huge range of methods, software, and devices to help people get the most out of their education. This can be seen by browsing some of the recent and predicted eLearning trends through the eyes of industry insiders. The increase in Augmented Reality training, in particular, is hugely exciting for optimising learning opportunities using cutting edge technology.
Digital learning also uses a huge range of methods to deliver its product. From podcasts and video lectures to apps and games, the possibilities are only limited by the imagination of the creators. The industry is also attempting to make full use of technology such as the aforementioned augmented reality as well as virtual reality – both of which are likely to see huge developments in the near future and could spell a very exciting future for eLearning.
Learners can, for instance, now explore complex subjects such as performing precision surgery or take a human biology course through interactive simulations or virtual labs, making education more immersive than ever.
eLEARNING IS VERSATILE
Digital learning is not only flexible in terms of when and where you can study and using what sort of technology, but also the way in which you learn. We all have different learning styles, and through digital learning, we can tailor our education and workplace training to best suit our personalities and specific skill aquisition methods. For example, if you’re a visual learner, you can opt for video courses, or if you prefer audio content, you could use podcasts. And the beauty of doing so electronically is that the app you are using can learn from you, regarding training methods you respond best to, and adapt to be more efficient with each and every click.
eLearning is also versatile in the sheer number of subjects that can now be studied digitally. For example, you can learn a language through an app on your phone, you can take a video course on how to be a better writer, or you can listen to a podcast about how to get better at marketing your business, as well as access more job-specific content as recommended by your managers and mentors.
eLEARNING IS FUN
Last but by no means least, eLearning is fun! Gone are the days of learning dry facts by rote – the introduction of technology and gamification into education has brought excitement and enjoyment back into learning. This is integral to eLearning’s success, because research shows that we learn most effectively when we’re having fun. By turning learning into a game, which many apps have become experts at, we can increase our knowledge without even realising it. Hey, your employees might even choose to train because of the gamified nature of some eLearning platforms. Result!
Sometimes, this is done in a very overt way through video game elements such as character avatars and levelling up, but it can be more subtle. Even the use of humour can be extremely effective or introducing an element of storytelling to an otherwise dry subject. Technology itself is also a great way to make learning more fun through interactivity and visible rewards when achievements are reached.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Recent events have forced businesses, companies, managers and staff to re-evaluate the way in which they engage with their staff. Rather than letting remote working nullify the chance for personal and professional growth, eLearning has opened new doors and provided new opportunities to those who may otherwise have been excluded. Long may it continue!