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"e-Learning" or multimedia training as it is often referred to, provides a massive opportunity to upgrade staff skills more cost effectively and faster than previously available.
Competitive corporations view learning as a competitive weapon rather than an annoying cost factor and most executives are beginning to understand that enhancing employee skills is the key to creating a sustainable competitive advantage.
What is "e-Learning"?
"e-Learning" is technology-based learning and covers a wide set of applications and processes, including computer-based learning, web-based learning, virtual classrooms, digital collaboration, video, audio, CD-ROM, interactive TV, or any other electronic media type. Multimedia training uses computer technology to immerse learners into training content. Text, graphics, illustrations, photographic images, animation, full motion video, narration, music, and sound effects are used to create an engaging learning environment that can train employees consistently, economically, and with better learning and retention.
What is Online Learning?
Online Learning is browser based learning. Online learning constitutes just one part of technology based learning and describes learning via internet, intranet and extranet. A sophisticated online learning program includes animations, simulations, audio and video sequences, peer and expert discussion groups, online mentoring, links to material on a corporate intranet or the web, and communications with corporate education records.
Why e-learning?
Consider these important benefits.
1. Reduced Learning Time
Multimedia courseware is an efficient way to deliver training content. Training content equivalent to a two-day traditional lecture can be delivered in as little as two hours using multimedia. More than 30 studies have found that multimedia training reduces learning time by 40 to 60 percent over traditional training methods. A major cost of training is the time employees are away from their work. Reduced training time means less time away from the job and lower training costs.
2. Instructional Consistency
Multimedia training programs instruct learners with the same material, presented in the same manner, from learner to learner. Each learner will receive the same consistent, technically correct message. Computer-based courseware does not have bad days or tire out at the end of a long day. Training content is delivered in a consistent, reliable manner that does not change in quality from class to class, instructor to instructor, or one company location to another.
3. Flexible Training Schedules
Multimedia training makes it able to present quality training to an entire work force, including shift, temporary and part-time workers. This training is especially suited to companies with a high staff turnover or those growing at a rapid pace. Multimedia training can be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be delivered at a time that benefits both the learner and the company.
Multimedia training can be scheduled to fit employee or production schedules, eliminating production downtime. Flexible training delivery allows new employees can start training immediately, and existing employees can refresh their skills at any time. Employees will often take training courses before or after their normal shifts and management can make good use of unexpected quiet periods.
Hundreds of thousands of training dollars are saved by organizations that invest in the development of self-paced, learn-by-yourself multimedia courseware.
4. Increased Retention Levels and Motivation
Multimedia training allows the learner to be actively involved in the learning process. This interactivity reinforces the training content and helps the learner to retain the training message. Rather than doing a course just once, multimedia training enables the user to continually go back to it in order to reinforce messages. The training itself can also be used as an ongoing reference tool.
Multimedia training provides a level of responsive feedback and individual involvement that has proven to be highly motivating. Courseware allows learners to focus their attention on the training content, reducing the potential for distraction.
Studies have shown that learners who listen to information will only recall 25% of that material. If they hear and see the material, they will remember 50%. However, learners who hear, see, and interact with the material during the learning process will remember 75% of the material.
Multimedia training allows learners to take greater control of their own learning process. Learners can move through courseware content at a comfortable pace.
5. Cater to Individual Learning Styles
Multimedia training allows learners, who typically have different abilities and knowledge levels, to control the pace and direction of their training As learners discover new areas of interest and accomplishment, they become seekers of knowledge, not just recipients of instruction. It is not practical to provide that level of customization in traditional classroom training.
Traditional learning methods typically focus on one learning style at a time. By using graphics, audio, and interactive activities, multimedia training can fit a range of learning styles including visual, auditory and experiential. Multimedia training adapts itself to each student, provides realistic content, and increases knowledge retention rates.
6. Testing of Learning Proficiency
Multimedia training programs use pre- and post-tests as well as mastery and graded quizzes to demonstrate to the learner their level of proficiently in the training content. Quizzes help learners to know which areas they need to review. Tests can measure competency of the subject matter. Computer-based testing allows for instant results to the learner, and data can be statistically analyzed as needed. Testing large numbers of employees can be done efficiently and cost-effectively.
7. Low Cost Per Student
The upfront investment in multimedia courseware development will give your organization substantial reduction in employee training costs and employee training time. Multimedia training has a low cost per learner with lower delivery costs because the primary costs are in courseware design and production. The costs of replication, distribution, and course delivery, which are recurring costs in traditional training, are reduced or eliminated with multimedia training. The ongoing costs of training are substantially reduced, and the cost per learner goes down with each additional learner.
8. On-the-job Safety and Health
Multimedia training allows learners to study potentially dangerous topics without risk. Interactive content let learners see the results of their actions and become skilled at proper methods and procedures while learning how to work safely at their job. Training your employees to do the job right reduces waste, increases productivity, and prevents incidents.
9. Training Records
A benefit of multimedia training is its ability to test and track the progress of the learner. Data such as the learner's progress, time spent in the courseware, and test results can be tracked and monitored. Training records can be used to support government and corporate compliance, ISO, QS, and other documentation requirements.
(Source: Technology Transfer Centre - Ferris State University, USA)