E-learning has revolutionised business training in recent years. Larger businesses, as early adopters of this technology, have long since leveraged online learning technologies to save money in their training budget, whilst actually enhancing the learning experience for their staff. As E-learning technologies become more affordable and more accessible is it time for you to join the 56% of small or medium sized businesses (SMEs) who are staring to reap those same rewards? If so, here are some options to consider....
Learn to build your own
It is widely accepted that the development timescales for e-learning build will be longer than for traditional face to face training. So when buying in expertise to design and build e-learning, some SMEs may find the cost prohibitive. A real alternative is to become the expert by being trained in how to design and build e-learning for yourself. This way your investment builds longevity and self sufficiency into the approach and allows for flexibility when doing new or adapted training design.
Sell your expertise
As e-learning has developed, so has the marketplace to sell it. This avenue could present a passive income stream for SMEs. Your specialist knowledge may be useful outside of your own business. Building an e-learning module that could be used by other sectors then opens your knowledge up to a Global marketplace that can recognise and value what you do.
Use what you've got
It may be useful for SMEs to adapt existing training material into short refresher learning as a first step into this learning mode, thereby enhancing the training they already deliver via traditional methods. It is proven that in order for learning to embed, it needs to be reinforced and e-learning is a very timely and flexible way for learners to access learning and to keep their knowledge up to date.
Adapt existing courses for a more blended approach
It is rare for e-learning to fully replace a face to face course in it's' entirety. No business, regardless of size, has 100% e-learning. Businesses could make a step change in their training program by translating only part of their course into e-learning and adapting the remaining training material to reflect those elements that have been moved online.
Big business has already reaped the rewards of taking their learning online, perhaps now it's time for the SMEs.
Article by Michelle Holmes of New Chapter Learning.
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