What is an eLearning Platform and How to Choose the Suitable One?

eLearning has become a pervasive force renowned for its convenience and effectiveness. In our fast-paced world, where staying connected is the norm, eLearning stands out as a game-changer. But what is eLearning? Whether you’re a seasoned eLearning professional or a newcomer, there’s no denying the rapid ascent of its popularity in the last decade. For businesses, it provides a cost-efficient and time-saving route to training employees, who, in turn, benefit from flexible learning that hones their skills and knowledge.

Moreover, eLearning is a potent tool for organizations to educate partners and customers, fostering greater adoption, retention, and revenue growth. The demand for eLearning solutions remains unwavering, projected to hit a staggering $1 trillion (about $3,100 per person in the US) globally by 2028. This evolution prompts us to delve deeper into comprehending the essence of eLearning, exploring its diverse forms and tools, and grasping how it can profoundly benefit your organization. E-learning is pivotal in modern learning landscapes, from skill enhancement to revenue augmentation.

What is eLearning?

E-learning is a way to learn things online. It comes in different forms, using various types of technologies. Many companies use e-learning to help people learn and achieve their training goals online, which is easier and more flexible than traditional classroom learning. E-learning courses include videos, presentations, quizzes, and readings.

To make e-learning happen, there’s something called a learning management system (LMS). It’s like a website where courses are put for people to access. Teachers can organize their course content on the LMS so learners can find everything in one place.

Research shows that e-learning can be helpful, especially when good policies, technology, and teacher training support it. When technology is used well, it can positively impact learning. So, with e-learning and the right tools, learning can be more accessible and exciting!

Let's Explore Delivery Methods for eLearning

You’ll see its value after understanding what eLearning is and its background. Bringing eLearning to your business is simple and advantageous. You can use it to train your staff in company rules or educate customers about your products. Many eLearning approaches are available for different needs, making it a versatile and helpful tool.

1. Through an LMS

A learning management system (LMS) is like software that helps teach online. A good LMS does more than that – it gives you tools to make your online teaching plan work well. Picking an LMS might seem complicated, but it’ll get more manageable if you think about what training you need and what you want. There are different types of LMS, like cloud-based ones. They’re the go-to for online learning software as they let you create courses, sign up users, and track progress. A good cloud based LMS helps you teach many people and has a great team to support you.

2. SCORM

If you’re new to eLearning, SCORM might sound confusing, but let’s simplify it. SCORM (Shareable Content Object Reference Model) helps make learning more interactive and engaging. It’s a set of rules ensuring content works well across different eLearning platforms. SCORM helps standardize how courses are created and used, often using standard tools. To use SCORM, you need a compatible system. Remember that using SCORM can cost more due to tools, but its better learning experience makes it worth the investment.

3. xAPI

A new Favorite way to offer online training has emerged in recent years: xAPI. Think of it as an upgraded version of SCORM. It’s more flexible and modern, letting learners’ study on the move—like during a commute or a coffee break. Unlike SCORM, xAPI can track these experiences, whether in a learning system or not. It gives you a complete picture of how learners learn. However, remember that xAPI doesn’t make courses look better. It just handles how data is tracked and saved.

Discover Different eLearning Training Styles

eLearning is favored for its versatility. It caters to various purposes, such as skill enhancement and remote learning. The accessibility and convenience it offers are remarkable. Paradiso LMS enables you to deliver four distinct types of training catering to various educational needs.

A. Employee Training

The most common use of online learning software (LMS) is for employee training. Companies use these eLearning platforms to train employees for various purposes, like welcoming new staff and boosting their performance. Using an LMS makes training structured and efficient compared to old methods. Online training, or eLearning, is better at promoting professional growth through knowledge sharing and fostering a culture of learning. It’s important that the LMS also enables creating tests, analyzing reports, and collecting feedback to enhance training quality.

B. Compliance Training

Compliance training is essential for businesses. It educates employees about laws and rules related to their job and industry. This training covers crucial areas like workplace safety, respecting others, and legal guidelines. For instance, it includes diversity, HR laws, and anti-harassment sessions. Dynamic compliance training reduces the chances of breaking the rules and safeguarding your image. Workers also enjoy a secure and efficient environment. Using a trustworthy online platform (LMS) for eLearning simplifies staying updated with changing laws and modifying training materials.

C. Customer Training

Although educating your customers might seem unusual, it holds significant benefits. Customer training programs are designed to assist customers in effectively utilizing and comprehending your offerings. eLearning Software providers widely adopt this approach. Beyond enhancing the customer experience, these training programs also yield advantages for the companies implementing them. Expect smoother customer onboarding, heightened interaction with your products or services, and enhanced customer loyalty due to these efforts.

D. Partner Training

Partner training, sometimes called reseller training, equips your partners with the necessary resources to thrive within your network. It involves various types of training, such as understanding your products, sales techniques, providing support, and effective marketing strategies. Often, completing certified training is a requirement to become a partner. Partner training offers several advantages. It enhances partner engagement, lowers support expenses, facilitates business expansion, and safeguards your brand’s reputation, ensuring a mutually beneficial partnership.

Reasons to Embrace eLearning in Your Organization

We’ve just discussed the benefits of the four training areas. Now, let’s look at the more prominent advantages of using eLearning. It will help you see how eLearning can add value to your organization and the people learning.

Course authoring To Produce Course Curriculum

A good LMS is valuable to course instructors as it provides user-friendly tools to create and update content efficiently. It simplifies e-learning, giving learners a central place to find course material. The vital role of a well-integrated Learning Management System (LMS) is tracking and verifying learner progress. It is crucial, especially for E-Learning courses where demonstrating completion of mandatory training becomes necessary. The LMS ensures smooth content management and progress monitoring, benefiting instructors and learners.

Simplify online learning for Course Administrators.

An effective LMS is a valuable asset for instructors, offering user-friendly tools for effortlessly crafting and updating course content. It simplifies online learning, offering learners a central hub for accessing materials. Crucially, a well-integrated LMS plays a vital role in tracking and confirming learner advancement, particularly for mandatory E-Learning courses. Proof of completion is essential. The LMS ensures seamless content management and progress tracking, benefiting instructors and learners by making the teaching and learning process efficient and accountable.

Enhance Performance and Boost Productivity

E-Learning offers learners a swift and convenient way to finish their training, leading to better performance and increased productivity. The flexibility of learning at one’s own pace and from any location is a significant advantage. This convenience often motivates learners to pursue their career objectives through eLearning. The freedom to learn on their terms makes it easier to balance their professional growth with their daily commitments, contributing to a more successful learning experience.

Diminish Environmental Responsibility and Approaches

A growing number of companies are actively working to lower their environmental impact as a part of their responsible business approach. For those aiming to reduce their carbon footprint, eLearning is a powerful tool. Unlike traditional paper-based learning, eLearning offers a greener option. By embracing eLearning, organizations contribute to creating a sustainable and eco-friendly workplace. This choice aligns with their environmental goals and positively impacts the planet.

How Do You Choose the Best eLearning Platform?

An effective eLearning platform aims to replicate the classroom experience digitally. It provides instructor-student interaction, discussions, games, and more like in a traditional class. This interaction happens online through devices like laptops, tablets, or phones. The platform’s features and tools are designed to create engaging learning environments, fostering the necessary interaction and engagement for students’ success.

Tailoring Learning Platforms for Diverse Styles

Just like people have different ways of learning, your online learning platform should accommodate various content formats to match your learners’ preferences. It might include articles, webinars, videos, simulations, and more. The platform should also include modules for learning, evaluating, and communicating. These modules allow for diverse teaching styles and help learners enhance their performance and retention of knowledge, creating a well-rounded training experience tailored to everyone’s needs.

Adapting eLearning Platforms to Industry Requirements

Consider industry-specific needs for your eLearning platform. For example, if your employees often work remotely, the platform should efficiently function on mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. In healthcare, integration with existing systems like hospital management is crucial. These adaptations ensure the platform aligns with your industry’s unique requirements, enabling efficient and compelling learning experiences that cater to the demands of your business environment.

Now that you’ve grasped the concept and advantages of eLearning, why not delve into the capabilities of Paradiso LMS for your company? Discover more by arranging a free trial and demo. It’s a chance to experience firsthand how our platform can elevate your organization’s learning and training initiatives. Schedule your session today and explore the possibilities.