The Advantages of eLearning at Work

When employees have the opportunity to learn in a way that suits them and their specific needs, they feel valued. eLearning in the workplace can help companies empower their employees to take control of their development, increasing their willingness to learn and their motivation. Integrating document management into eLearning platforms ensures that all learning materials are easily accessible and well-organized, further enhancing the learning experience.

1.Online learning is for everyone

Digital transformation has forever changed the way learners consume content. The advent of integrated digital technologies has led companies to rethink how they offer mandatory and non-mandatory learning activities and how they support a range of learning styles. According to this survey, expanding digital learning resources and adopting new training techniques are priorities for over 80% of decision makers. Leveraging employee information allows companies to personalize learning experiences, ensuring that training is relevant and engaging for each individual.

Social learning is the idea that we learn by observing others. Also known as social cognitive theory, it is one of the oldest learning styles but one of the least used in a remote work environment. However, it can be integrated into eLearning programs through gamification, by incorporating elements and principles inspired by game design into a non-gaming context, such as rewarding learners for positive interactions, using progress or status bars, and providing instant feedback.

In addition to being suitable for different learning styles, eLearning supports a range of formats for eLearning content. eLearning content can be delivered through traditional text-based media such as blogs and guides; it can also be presented in the form of videos, podcasts, or audio recordings, and even in highly interactive formats such as quizzes and puzzles. By embracing diverse eLearning formats, companies can create a dynamic learning environment that aligns with and enhances their company culture, fostering a sense of community and shared values among employees.

2.Access to on-demand learning

Online lessons are accessible at any time, allowing each learner to consume learning content at their preferred pace. Employees are used to consuming content outside of work whenever they want - just think of TV shows that are not broadcast live - and will appreciate this flexibility when learning as well.

eLearning allows learners to revisit activities and content at any time, often resulting in higher knowledge retention and higher completion rates and compliance. When learners know they can access their learning material at any time, from any device, and from anywhere in the world, it only makes sense that they are more likely to complete their training.

This is especially useful for employees with neurological disorders whose energy and focus can fluctuate throughout the day and work week, as well as anyone with a busy schedule.

Offering on-demand access to activities also gives learners autonomy. It is rare that two learners have the same level of knowledge on a particular subject, which can lead to feelings of inferiority or pressure to learn too quickly. eLearning places an emphasis on the learning, engagement, and retention of each employee, regardless of their starting point. This helps to foster a sense of inclusion while supporting the learning needs of the individual.

Unlimited access helps learners better fit their learning into their workday. Rather than blocking out individual days, learners can work through sections in a logical and practical way that takes their workload into account. When an employee has control over when (and how) they consume learning content, they are better able to retain and implement their newly acquired knowledge and skills.

3.Seamless delivery of activities

When we remove the time-consuming elements typically associated with in-person training, we quickly see one of the biggest benefits of eLearning: speed of delivery. Learning content can be delivered in a very short amount of time, reducing time to completion and improving the overall workflow of a learning journey.

Learners no longer have to deal with the off-topic conversations typical of an in-person training event, and because there are fewer distractions, the time it takes to absorb and retain the information is reduced.

Barring an unreliable internet connection that hinders an employee's access, activities are usually completed reliably and without delay. This contributes to a positive user experience and increases the likelihood that employees will complete each journey.

eLearning is to workplace training what email was to the written letter, and to organizations, simply put, it is the future of modern organizational learning.

4.Relevant and timely learning content

Updating eLearning content is a matter of a few clicks, whereas traditional forms of learning content - such as printed workbooks - are costly to replace when they become out of date, both in terms of financial cost and environmental impact.

As learning objectives evolve, supporting content can also adapt. Sections can be added, removed and updated in real time, giving learners instant access to the most up-to-date content. This gives learners a sense of empowerment as they no longer have to invest hours of learning and retain content that is no longer relevant.

Meanwhile, microlearning - the short, concise version of traditional eLearning - offers precise learning activities and even narrower objectives. Typically, microlearning content is short videos that last no longer than 15 minutes and can help employees save time (and cognitive load) when completing specific training.

5.Lower costs

eLearning dramatically reduces costs for both learners and companies. Learners enjoy financial freedom because they don't have to commute to a location every day - often they only need a device and an internet connection to complete their training activities.

Accommodation in big cities is often a crippling obligation, especially when many training courses have to take place two or three days away from the office. Since learners no longer have to travel and stay in often expensive accommodations, they are more likely to attend non-mandatory training courses. Employees with caring responsibilities also benefit from not having to travel for training, eliminating unnecessary stress and freeing up more time for actual learning. This is one of the more subtle benefits of eLearning, which also has the greatest potential for creating a learning culture where employees strive to push themselves because it is so convenient to learn.

6.eLearning is environmentally friendly

The environmental impact of eLearning may be significantly lower than in-person learning events.

We can expect the following environmental factors to be eliminated (or at least minimized) when we prioritize eLearning over in-person learning:

• Carbon emissions from train, bus, air and road travel
• Heating and cooling costs for venues
• Plastic and paper waste from catering and refreshments for the duration of the event, not to mention the extra travel for catering deliveries
• Food waste, which also comes with higher catering costs for a range of dietary needs
• Accommodation costs, which typically put a strain on gas and electricity resources

The environmental impact of in-person training events quickly becomes overwhelming when you consider how frequently new learning material needs to be provided.

7.eLearning removes the need to be on-site

Companies (and employees) have benefited from the global shift to remote and home working. This has also impacted eLearning, removing the constraints of physical location.

Learners no longer need to be on-site, opening up both the talent pool and the ability to deliver high-quality learning across continents and time zones.

eLearning also enables an element of social learning that is essential to fostering engagement and inclusion in the workplace. Since learners no longer need to be physically present, they are more inclined to interact in their own environment and drive their learning and development.

The benefits of eLearning for employees underpin the growing need for digital transformation in the workplace. Learning and development should be at the forefront of employee upskilling strategies.

IceHrm's learning management system can help you deliver eLearning courses to your employees and track their progress. With IceHrm, you can create a culture of continuous learning within your organization