Are You On E Yet?

Running on Empty

If you do not have an e-Learning based qualification in 3-5 years – you may be one of the few left out ones. Far from being a new trend, e-Learning is becoming the status quo in education faster than anticipated and e-Learning qualifications is increasingly preferred by employers and employees.

In a new world where we all need to work to study e-Learning is preferred and increasingly companies prefer people that have electronic skills and savvy. Gone are the days when a graduate enters the workplace and needs to get computer orientation and training on how to use the mouse.

Companies are expecting people that have skills in learning, searching and synthesizing knowledge in a digital world that is highly connected and fast changing.

This is where elearning comes in. Elearning can be defined as the delivery of training content via all electronic media, including the Internet, intranets, extranets, satellite broadcast, audio/video tape and interactive TV. These methodologies are maturing and learning has never been more supported than in the online learning environment.

Research shows that e-learning is on the rise. It has been said that by the year 2019, that conservatively at least 50% of university students will be engaged in e-learning. Currently there are more than 4,6 million university students globally that are enrolled in an e-learning course. We think that enrollments on electronic media vs contact learning will be closer to 80%. The reality is that Universities do not have enough seats to accommodate learners and more learners are doing their qualifications online.

With organisations that are investing in developing their people, implementing the right blend of contact and e-learning courses also optimise this investment. For a student studying e-learning can be a little more cost effective and allow you to keep on studying while working. eLearning is also accessible in locations where there is an internet access but no physical classroom or university. We see increasingly that community centres, schools and other infrastructure would serve as access points for people doing distance education in key degrees.

The number of companies using online training methods are also increasing dramatically, mainly because technological barriers are fading and it is cost effective to train people using eLearning methodologies. Companies seem to understand that in order to move forward they need to attract people that have adapted to innovation in technology. That being said, there is a still a need for control and flexibility.

E-learning offers learners and corporates the control and flexibility in a way that the classroom can only do in a limited way. Training with e-learning means that courses can be delivered via shorter bursts and spread out over several days, keeping operations running smoothly and negating the need to shut down units for days at a time. Furthermore, it improves productivity, as employees need not travel to get to a class. There is also the ability to review and revise frequently and with support systems learners often have better access to lecturers and support than in the physical classroom.

Energy as a Management Resource

Companies need learning to happen at a pace that will suit the business. When planned or unexpected off-peak periods occur it is an optimum time to enrol employees for training programmes online.

Not all elearning is equal. Finding an education provider that can offer the right combination of customised contact and e-learning training solutions is essential in an ever-changing knowledge economy. Key considerations that make eLearning attractive is that people can start at any time, have a wide choice of programmes to enroll in and will not get lost in an unsupported space. It is important to ensure that your eLearning has a number of characteristics

You should be able to start at any time

You should be able to get support while studying

Material should be reviewed and updated

Interactive features should link students to each other and to the lecturer

Videos’ and other inspirational materials should feature extensively.

E-learning has great potential to impact positively in the growth of any business and it shows employees that the organization is adapting to change.

The Cost of Depletion

As this method of learning is one of the fastest growing training trends, it has already moved from being used by early-adopter industries such as retailers and financial services providers, into all the other mainstream industries. It is the defacto standard in all multi-national corporations to be trained via e-learning with more than 77% of American companies are using eLearning.

Apart from the real benefits of choosing to study online that it offers to students – There is great value in providing corporations with e-learning courses for their employees. Using blended and pure e-learning courses cuts costs and adds a new level of convenience and flexibility in terms of time and location for delivery of training.

Employees are often looking for ways to better their skills, and if they are not granted the opportunity for training and development there is chance of them leaving their employer. E-learning courses can be used effectively to retain staff who have developmental needs as well as to boost motivation and productivity.

With the availability of initiatives such as the the institution Free Business Education initiative (www.the institutionfoundation.org), companies can initiate training with no initial investment and effectively use bursary schemes and other mechanisms to encourage training of individuals and teams. This not only leads to increased retention but to general growth.

Through free online learning programmes, small businesses can access the material, anytime, anywhere and study at their desired pace. Learning happens through web-based audio-visual materials, accessing study guides and e-textbooks. The portability of e-learning courses means that staff can connect and have access to videos, text and pictures via their smart phones and tablets.

To maximise the effectiveness of e-learning courses, the institution is mindful of the need to make the learning programmes relevant in both the global and local context. This is imperative as the institution operates worldwide – with students in over 155 countries.

For some interesting statistics on eLearning – please visit.

http://info.shiftelearning.com/blog/bid/247473/18-Mind-Blowing-eLearning-Statistics-You-Need-To-Know