7 Really Good Reasons to Consider e-Learning
By Cindy Pascale, CEO, Vado, Inc.
If you are not using e-learning as an important component in your learning mix, you might want to consider the following seven benefits of e-learning:
- Cost-Effective: Study after study shows the cost savings of training employees using e-learning courses instead of instructor-led workshops. Cost savings come from:
- Not paying an instructor
- Not having to pay for training space
- No travel costs for the instructors and/or learners
- Less time away from the workplace
Ernst & Young estimates the cost savings are as high as 35 - 52%
- Faster: When using instructor-led training, rolling out training is limited to the number of instructors and the amount and availability of training space. These limitations do not exist when using e-learning. Once a course is created, it can be made available to all learners and be consumed by all learners in a very small window of time. According to Brandon Hall, using e-learning saves 25 – 60% of the amount of time conveying the same amount of instruction as in a classroom.
- Flexible: Give your learners the freedom to learn at their convenience, spending more time on the parts that they need and less time on the parts that they already know. Access to training on a 24X7 allows the learner to take the training when and where they want and move through the training at their own pace.
- Greener: Reduce the carbon footprint of your training by eliminating the need for printed training materials and less travel for the trainers and learners. Additionally, as processes change, you don’t need to worry about updating manuals given out during training sessions. Simply update one course.
- Collaboration: In instructor-led workshops, learners collaborate with the other participants of the workshop. Today’s technology allows learners to collaborate with other course users around the globe
- Consistency: Trainers can ensure one message is being delivered to all learners.
- More Effective: The best reason for offering e-learning is because it is more effective than traditional instructor-led workshops. Five different studies show that e-learning is more effective than traditional training and one study in particular conducted by Brandon Hall notes the following specific gains:
- Learners’ attitudes toward the e-learning format and training in general
- Learners’ scores on tests, certifications, or other evaluations
- The number of learners who achieve “mastery level” and/or pass exams
- Learners’ ability to apply new knowledge or processes on the job
- Long-term retention of information
Given all the benefits of e-learning, if your organization is not considering it as part of your learning mix, it might be time.
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