Why Now Is The Ideal Time To Implement Online Training
Online training has experienced a significant rise in demand in recent years due to the emergence of new technologies, the increasing use of mobile devices, and the pandemic. All of these factors have made remote learning a credible and effective way to keep employees in the know and improve performance. Now, as the work dynamics change and employees must commit to lifelong learning, there's no time like the present to invest in online training and transform the way your staffers develop their skills. Let's explore why eLearning is ideal for your business and training needs, and how it can benefit you and your employees.
5 Perks That Will Convince You To Invest In Online Training
1. Flexibility And Convenience
Online training programs offer unmatched flexibility to learners, allowing them to proceed on their learning journey at their own pace. This is especially useful for professionals with busy work schedules or other commitments. Since your employees will have the opportunity to attend lessons whenever and wherever they like, they'll have a more positive attitude toward the process and fully engage in the experience. Most importantly, though, online training will help them balance work, personal life, and education more effectively. This way, they'll create their own learning timetable, dedicating more time to complex material and less time to topics they already grasp.
2. Cost-Effectiveness
Traditional training requires fees, materials, facilities, and instructors, which can add up for organizations. In contrast, online training programs give you the ability to repurpose resources, host virtual events, and utilize technology to encourage knowledge sharing on a global scale. Thus, you can deliver lessons to large audiences without space and resource restrictions. Your employees are able to attend training sessions or workshops from the comfort of their homes, without traveling to conferences or educational facilities, reducing transportation and accommodation costs.
3. Interactive Lessons
Videos, infographics, animations, and simulations help create interactive courses, which makes online training stand out from traditional methods. By visualizing complex topics with videos or animations, learners can understand the subject more deeply, while simulations help them apply their knowledge and receive feedback on the spot. There are immersive technologies that cater to that, too, like Virtual and Augmented Reality. Through those, employees can have a hands-on experience with the learning material in risk-free environments. For example, you can simulate a demanding project, training your team members in decision making and strategic thinking.
4. Continuous Learning
Online training facilitates lifelong learning, allowing your employees to acquire knowledge and skills at any point throughout their lives. As technologies continue to emerge and new job roles are created, employees need to adapt to new requirements and responsibilities. eLearning gives them the opportunity to keep up with emerging industry trends with little to no cost. By promoting online learning, you support your workforce on their journey through their personal and professional development.
5. Personalized Learning Experience
Traditional training isn't fully customizable and, thus, it tends to become dull and uninteresting for a large percentage of learners. Online learning, on the other hand, allows for tailored learning experiences that meet the needs of each learner. Training platforms use data, like completion rates and activity performance, to personalize the learning path for each user so that the content is the perfect fit. For example, if an employee struggles with a specific topic, the program can adjust the courses and focus on that instead of moving on to another subject. Additionally, these platforms usually have accessibility features that can be adjusted for learners with special requirements.
Tips For Choosing The Best Online Training Platform
Survey Your Employees' Needs
First, gather input from your employees to identify their training and skills needs. Then, in combination with your own assessment, you can create the learning goals and desired outcomes. For example, do your employees need to build a specific skill or earn a certificate to meet compliance standards? What are the main topics you want to train them on? After setting the goals, research solutions to see which platform offers the best solution.
Evaluate The Platform's Features
Not all online platforms offer the same functionalities. It's important to find one that supports different learning formats and delivery methods. Additionally, the platform should support training resources, like videos, and have progress-tracking features, such as quizzes and performance indicators. The software should be easy to navigate so the learners can have access to support and resources throughout their training. A confusing interface can interfere with the learning process and hinder their efforts.
Check Reviews
You should carefully research the platform's reputation and credibility before investing. The easiest way to do that is to read the reviews and make sure they're from verified users with similar training needs as your business. You can even compare your choices with other similar platforms and see if you've missed something that may be more suitable for you. Lastly, don't hesitate to seek recommendations from colleagues or other business managers who have experience with online training platforms.
Consider The Pricing Model
After you've decided on a vendor or two, the last thing you have to do is review the pricing plans. Don't rush to reject a platform that's a little over your budget; check if the features are aligned with the price and if the vendor offers reliable customer support. Functionality and support are important when purchasing software, so they're often worth the extra investment. You can also find a plan that suits your intended use, such as a monthly or annual subscription, or pay-per-use.
Conclusion
Online training platforms are becoming a necessity in the modern business world, and the practical perks are undeniable. By reading these tips and important points about the corporate eLearning landscape, you can navigate the challenging selection process and spot the perfect platform for your training needs.
Are you looking for the best Learning Management System for your remote workforce? Check out our top LMS list to find the right platform and uncover even more things to consider when making your decision.
Last but not least, if you're an eLearning software vendor or content provider that wants to reach more qualified corporate buyers, why not highlight the reasons why they should invest in online training by publishing articles and eBooks, as well as hosting webinars? This also allows you to point out how your solution stands out and build your thought leadership.
