What should you invest in online learning?
Traditional face-to-face learning has taken place for years. In recent years, however, online learning is becoming the next normal and many organizations have introduced it especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Now, more people including managers and teachers may be wondering which service meets their needs.
In this article, we explore the outline and types of online learning, keys to compare each service and more. If you are looking to improve in-house training in your organization, it will be helpful.
What is online learning?
Online learning is a method of learning over a network using devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones. In some cases, on-demand or live streaming video lectures are conducted.
Conventionally, face-to-face lectures were the only way to learn something. As a matter of course, learners were needed to move to a classroom to make it in time. In recent years, however, online learning has become increasingly popular, allowing students to learn from anywhere in the world as long as they have an Internet connection and a digital device. Services for online learning have been spreading not only to companies but to schools, and you have a variety of choices when it comes to introducing one of them.
Back to ContentsTypes of online learning
Video lectures can be broadly divided into two types: on-demand and live streaming. The other type of learning is characterized as group learning.
The following explain each feature.
On-demand video lectures
On-demand video lecture is one of learning methods that uses pre-recorded video content. It allows learners to learn at any time. The biggest advantage of this method is to review the content as many times as they like, which will contribute to deep learning.
On-demand video lectures can be used for a variety of purposes, such as "reviewing content already learned online," "preparing online in advance for in-depth study in the main class," and "making up for missed classes.
Live streaming lectures
Zoom, Skype, and Google Meet are well-known services for live streaming lectures. Such service makes it possible to take lectures in real time just like an actual lecture or class without going to a classroom or venue.
This method is used when taking classes at home for some reasons, learning other languages, studying with tutors overseas and more. For admins, it may be the most attractive point that there is no need to edit videos.
Group learning
Online learning is also used for group learning. The same as face-to-face learning, you can make a discussion with other members. The purpose of this method seems to be as follows: share knowledge, understand diversity, improve communication and so on.
Back to ContentsCompare online learning
For those who are thinking of introducing an online learning service, here are some points to consider when selecting a service.
We explore the criterias for both learners and admins below.
Content enrichment
When introducing an online learning service, make sure that the content is prepared in a way that suits your learning objectives. There must be different objectives, such as systematic and comprehensive skills required for new hires, or intensive management knowledge for managers.
Content enrichment cannot be separated from your objectives.
Management system
When it comes to the role of admins, the operation system is the key. If there is a lack of functions you need, you cannot take the most advantage of the learning effect. Compare what you can do as an admin in each online learning system.
Some services have useful functions including a survey or a reminder for those who have not taken a learning course, and they will help you build a more effective learning environment.
Cost-effectiveness
As for companies, the main purpose of introducing online learning is to enhance employees’ knowledge and skills to have benefits for a company as a result. Therefore, cost-effectiveness is an essential factor to take into consideration.
How often do employees utilize the service? How long does it take to acquire job skills? How much is the implementation or running costs? HR professionals are required to balance a variety of aspects of online learning, and select the one which provides the greatest ROI.
Customization
In many cases, online learning platforms provide several service packages. When comparing each service, it is recommended to check the options apart from the main plan. This is because you can customize your learning environment to maximize the effect.
Conversely, without suitable options, it will result in overall disappointment regardless of the superior service package. How about customer service? It will be a big help to introduce online learning in your organization if he or she makes a great suggestion to meet your needs.
Back to ContentsBuild a strategy
Once you introduce an online learning platform, it is not easy to switch to another one because of the implementation costs. In order to prevent mismatching a service, we cover three elements below.
Clarify the purpose
First of all, clarify the purpose of implementing an online learning platform. Clear purpose will indicate what components are required for your organization.
Depending on your purpose, divide your needs into more specific elements such as cost, content, quality of service and so on. When making a decision, select the one that extracts the most value based on these elements.
Check the service and prices
Most online learning platforms offer several plans according to the functions and number of members, so make sure which plan covers your needs. What is important here is whether the service is distributed to continuous learning.
Also, pricing varies according to each service. As written above, compare continuous learning with cost effectiveness so that you can select the right one.
Motivate learners
No matter how high the quality of the content is, there is no point in introducing it if learners cannot maintain their motivation and end up learning halfway through the course. For this reason, it is important to check whether or not the service includes feedback, questionnaires, tests, and other features that can stimulate motivation.
If these functions are not available in the system, try to find a way to cover the part internally.
Back to ContentsSummary
With the increasing popularity of remote working, the use of online learning to promote learning is spreading among many companies. After clarifying what kind of content you are looking for, select a service by comparing its pros and cons.
If you are still wondering which service meets your needs, try “learningBOX”. It is an e-learning system that can be easily introduced at low cost, and lots of useful functions such as creating content and managing scores are included.
You can try up to 10 accounts for free forever. Feel free to try our Free Plan.
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