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 want 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 online trainingfrom now on .
What is elearning in companies?
E-learning is a distance learning device that is organized remotely and online, using IT tools (computers, tablet, smartphone and... an Internet connection). E-learning consists of making available to a learner or a group of learners modules that provide educational content and can include different interactions: mini-games, multiple-choice quizzes and surveys.
These are some of the terms most commonly used to refer to elearning:
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Distance learning,
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distance learning,
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virtual learning ,
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online training,
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online training.
E-learning is more than a tool, it is a new way of learning. The European Union underlines it in its definition: "e-learning is the use of new Internet multimedia technologies to improve the quality of learning by facilitating, on the one hand, access to resources and services, on the other hand, exchanges and remote collaboration".
Important features of corporate e-learning
1. Develop a customized training program
E-learning offers greater customization of content. The goal is to adapt to your professional and educational objectives and to the initial skills of the participants. Publishers of elearning 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 digitize the content for distribution on a social and gamified platform. The result? A didactic and customized training plan that meets your expectations and adapts to your employees' work environment.
2. Materialize employee progress
E-learning makes it possible to personalize both the process and the monitoring of the learner's progress. Different scenarios are set up in order to adapt to the player's behavior. 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 student, a symbol of recognition for the efforts made and the culmination of a new achievement.
Advantages of e-learning in companies: customized training 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.
No need to book or rent an office, a video projector or multiple paper supports. We are well below the costs of classroom training: travel of employees, accommodation, catering, tutor...
E-learning saves these costs and is more environmentally friendly: fewer documents and no travel required.
2. Programs that are easy to implement
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 faster 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. Flexible scheduling
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 integrate them into his 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. Each at his or her own pace
The learner can review a module that has become unclear and view the content as many times as necessary or, conversely, quickly move from one module to another if the content is already within the learner's grasp. Disparity of fees is no longer a problem.
Moreover, in the classroom, the tutor usually moves at a consensual pace: too fast for some, too slow for others. Online, everyone can follow the course according to the mode that suits them best. Similarly, self-assessment allows the learner to manage his or her own learning.
5. 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 learning game. Many studies show that learning in a fun way favors assimilation. Scoring points, validating levels and earning badges are powerful motivators. In addition, learners receive external motivation by discovering others' scores, ranking 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... Presentation dates are common and transmissions are live. This simultaneity of peak moments punctuates the course in a collective dynamic.
Most used e-learning platforms
Organizations in the process of training the human capital of their companies must acquire a specialized 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 optimizing 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 characterized 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 customize 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 dynamize 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 usability improvements.
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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 precise monitoring of each employee's progress, as well as their new skills, in addition to a considerable reduction in costs 🤑.
In turn, employees not only acquire new skills, but also have the possibility to live 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