Let’s jump to the facts first before we go swimming through the myths. While it is true that eLearning has been the object of slander and negative gossip, it is mostly because of the misuse and improper development of the training program. eLearning can boost the usefulness of your business in terms of performance enhancement and save you money and time. Woahwoahwoah! Well, wait just a minute, because we are going to go through 5 eLearning myths.
While the internet may seem like a fast paced place, it only moves as fast as your pointer finger and wrist click and switch the ‘next’ button. In a traditional classroom, the coordinator sets up the speed for the curriculum. As an eLearning student, you can easily review the material at your own pace. By having the power to learn at your own accord, you reduce the risk of missing out on important and perhaps complex material. While your learners may feel they like to be led and directed by a trainer, please feel free to remind them of E.M. Forster’s saying, “Spoon feeding in the long run teaches us nothing but the shape of the spoon.” One of the advantages of eLearning is that the learner can take the training into their own hands and, then, manage and improve their output.
Gotcha! While eLearning is an online training platform, it is designed for all types of learners. Your students may think “well I am a more hands on type of learner”; well, then shouldn’t worry, because eLearning can be set to your manner and learning style. Because of the inimitable design of eLearning, all demographics can utilize eLearning resources. Training courses with eLearning can be personalized and designed with a content specific material for the learner. This way no man (or woman) shall be left behind!
While you may have heard that employees are displeased with eLearning, that’s probably because they’ve only been exposed to bad eLearning. It is important to design your program and ensure the data being presented is relevant to your learners. When the training course is designed to offer only valuable and pertinent material, then your employees will have a positive experience with eLearning. With positive feedback come positive results; we’re sure of it. A Learning Management System can be of great help in managing employee training, tracking their progress, as well as making employees at ease with eLearning by providing them access to their performance.
One of the most common eLearning myths is that Instructional Designers are the only ones who can design an eLearning program. In actuality, anyone can. There are plenty of programs out there that offer easy to use design programs with simple templates and easy to follow instructions on how to modify and personalize the program you are interested in offering.
Well, guess what; setting up an eLearning program can actually save your corporation millions of dollars. Say what?! Yup, you want to re-read that line. Sure, go ahead, no one’s stopping you. We don’t judge. eLearning is a cost efficient medium. Rather than having to constantly hire someone to train new employees, to set up a classroom with course materials, supplies, etc., with eLearning you only have to set up the course once. That’s right, just one time. Of course you can easily enter the program and make modifications and alterations to update the program’s agenda, but this is just another advantage of eLearning; the simplicity and convenience of it all. Hard to believe, right? But imagine, when it comes to cross cultural or geographic training, how much easier the training will be, how much time will be saved, how much space will be saved, and of course how much money will be saved.
For more great content on eLearning myths and facts, check out these amazing articles by elearningindustry.com:
9 Myths About eLearning Authoring Tools And How To Use Them Properly