Advantages and Disadvantages of e-Learning|Let's streamline your in-house training and examinations!
E-learning is a learning method utilizing the Internet and electronic devices. Although it has a strong image of being used for studying for certification exams, it is also used in business today. For example, online training for new employees and compliance training are typical examples.
In this issue, we will thoroughly explain the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating e-learning into in-house training and examinations, and we will also introduce recommended systems required for in-house production of content using e-learning, so please read on if you are in charge of a company.
Table of Contents
01Merits and Demerits of E-Learning [Administrators
Merit
Disadvantages
02Merits and Demerits of E-Learning [Learners
Merit
Demerit
03The use of an LMS is necessary to implement e-Learning
What is LMS?
Recommended LMS "learningBOX
04Introducing e-learning to in-house training and examinations to raise the level of the entire company.
Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning [Administrators].
Incorporating e-Learning into employee training and personnel development has advantages for companies on the management side. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of e-Learning from a corporate perspective.
Advantages
Reduced costs
E-learning is attractive because once a suitable system is established for a company, it can be reused again and again, leading to cost reductions.
For example, it can reduce the cost of corporate training, use of test centers, employee transportation and lodging, and printing of learning materials. This is particularly effective for companies with a large number of employees or when participants are located throughout the country. It is also easy to incorporate in companies that have introduced telework or remote work due to the new coronavirus.
Centralized management of student information
With e-learning systems, various information such as progress rate, attendance information, grades, and study time are automatically recorded in a database for each study session.
This eliminates the time and effort required to manually input data. The aggregated learning history and grade data can be used to create new teaching materials or for analysis and evaluation of learners.
Easy to revise and update teaching materials
Because e-learning provides learning content on a single platform, it is easy to revise and update the materials.
For example, when conducting compliance training, it is easy to adjust the content in accordance with the timing of legal revisions or to add the latest case studies.
If paper-based materials are distributed, they must be collected, revised, and distributed again, which tends to place a heavy burden on the corporate side.
Easier to provide an optimal learning program for each participant
When a company is engaged in human resource development, the educational content required differs for each employee. For example, new employees may be required to take general business manner training. For managers, it is important to provide learning programs appropriate for each level of proficiency and hierarchy, such as labor management training.
By introducing e-learning, it is possible to construct flexible learning programs according to learning status by combining prepared teaching materials.
Equal learning opportunities
Because e-learning allows students to complete their learning online, they can take classes at their own convenience. Companies can easily provide equal learning opportunities and expect to raise the level of student understanding.
In addition, because the same learning content can be provided regardless of the number of students, it helps to prevent variations in quality due to differences in textbooks and instructors.
Disadvantages
Time-consuming and costly to prepare teaching materials
There are several ways to prepare e-learning materials. Generally, you can purchase ready-made materials, order-made materials, or produce your own materials. The disadvantage is that it is time-consuming and labor-intensive to select the most appropriate method according to the content and target audience you want to include.
Another disadvantage is the initial cost of procuring hardware and software. If you want to procure your own original teaching materials at a low cost, we recommend using an e-learning system to produce them in-house.
A certain level of IT literacy is required for operation.
E-learning requires the use of PCs, tablets, and smartphones, and a certain level of IT literacy is required of the participants.
Therefore, it is important for companies to provide e-Learning that can be used intuitively even by those who are not familiar with IT tools. It is also a good idea to introduce e-learning that is compatible with mobile devices, which many people own and are considered to have a certain level of literacy.
Some content is not suitable for e-learning.
E-learning is not suitable for training content that involves practical skills. For example, customer service training or complaint handling training may not be effective because it is difficult to convey details through a screen.
It is best to use e-learning for classroom lectures that provide knowledge and face-to-face lectures for training that involves practical skills.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning [Learners].
Next, we will provide the advantages and challenges of e-Learning from the learner's perspective. when implementing e-Learning, it is ideal to cover as many of the disadvantages as possible while taking advantage of the advantages.
Advantages
Repeatable
With e-learning, it is possible to rewind and re-listen to parts of the course that you missed. This allows you to change your learning style according to your level of understanding, which helps you retain what you have learned. In the case of group training, it is often necessary to ask questions to the instructor if you miss a part, and in many cases it is not possible to retake the course.
Study where and when you want
E-learning courses can be taken anywhere and at any time, as long as you have an Internet connection. It is easy to learn at home, during breaks at work, or while commuting to and from work. This lowers the hurdle for those who are busy with work and other commitments.
Easy to check the progress and level of understanding
Another advantage of e-learning is that you can receive feedback immediately after taking a course.
For example, when you take a test, the results are immediately reflected in the system, so you can check your progress and level of understanding in real time. You can review your learning methods and consider taking the course again according to your level of proficiency, allowing you to learn more efficiently.
Easy to learn and easy to maintain
Many e-learning systems are compatible with mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, making learning easy and sustainable. With little or no advance preparation required, you can start learning by simply starting up the system. They are also easy to take with you, making them permeable to salespeople and others who are often on the go.
Disadvantages
Difficult to quickly resolve questions
Because e-learning generally requires participants to attend lectures alone, it tends to be difficult to quickly resolve any questions they may have. With group training, a question-and-answer period is provided, allowing participants to ask questions directly to the instructor on the spot. Therefore, when implementing e-learning, it is necessary to prepare a way to resolve questions and unclear points in advance.
Specifically, it is effective to provide FAQs in the course materials, set up a dedicated contact point to receive questions, and provide a space for anonymous posting on an in-house SNS.
It is difficult to maintain motivation.
While e-learning offers a high degree of flexibility, its disadvantage is that progress is easily influenced by the motivation of the learner, since the learner must take the initiative in attending lectures.
In the case of group training, the date, time, and location are often specified by the administrator, and there is a certain degree of coercion. Therefore, it is important for companies to set up a mechanism to maintain learner motivation.
For example, a function that allows communication among participants, e-mail distribution to those who have not completed the course, or combined use with group training may be considered.
An Internet environment must be provided.
Although e-learning is less demanding than group training, it does require an Internet environment. If some employees have difficulty using the Internet, it will not be possible to provide equal learning opportunities. Consider measures such as adopting a system that allows employees to download materials and video materials in advance and store them on their devices.
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Implementing e-Learning Requires the Use of an LMS
An LMS is an essential part of implementing e-learning. Here is an overview of LMS and recommended services.
What is LMS?
LMS is an abbreviation for "Learning Management System." It is an integrated system that creates and distributes learning materials, manages students, and accumulates and analyzes data.
It is also called a learning management system or e-learning system. The latest LMSs are equipped with SNS functions to promote communication among students.
Recommended LMS "learningBOX
If you are considering implementing e-learning, we recommend our e-learning system (LMS) "learningBOX," which provides all the functions necessary for e-learning, including the creation and distribution of teaching materials, grade management, and student management, making it easy for anyone to create a web-based learning environment. Anyone can easily build a web-based learning environment.
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Introducing e-Learning for Internal Training and Exams to Raise the Bar Company-Wide
In this issue, we reported on the advantages and disadvantages of implementing e-Learning and recommended LMS.
E-learning is a learning system that matches the times, as it eliminates the need to gather a large group of people or to coordinate the schedules of all participants. e-learning can be used for in-house training and examinations, as an LMS makes it possible to create content tailored to the actual conditions of the company.
If you are considering implementing an e-learning system, we recommend using "learningBOX". learningBOX is easy to use, and even those who are not familiar with IT tools or programming knowledge can easily create learning materials. There is a wide range of types of teaching materials, including multiple-choice, X-X, short answer, and fill-in-the-blank type questions, allowing you to create teaching materials that best suit your training content and implementation objectives.
We also offer a free plan that allows you to use almost all of the features, so please feel free to contact us.
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