E-Learning – What Is It?
All forms of learning in which digital media and platforms are used to impart knowledge are referred to as e-learning (electronic learning). Whether these media are used for the distribution and presentation of learning material or communication between teachers, learners or course participants doesn’t matter.
What Advantages Does E-Learning Offer Companies?
E-learning offers optimal support for face-to-face training courses and brings various advantages for companies and learners.
Location And Time Flexibility
Thanks to digital learning, employees and teachers are no longer tied to a specific location and can take part in various online courses from anywhere. This saves employees their journeys and companies the organizational effort. In addition to being independent of the site, employees are often also independent in terms of time. This means that, in many cases, they can decide for themselves when to complete specific online training courses.
Cost Savings
E-learning is also interesting for companies from a cost perspective. The monetary cost for the projects is lower than for up close and personal instructional classes. Because of computerized correspondence, there are no movement costs. What’s more, preparing related personal times are limited. All things being equal, organizations can put the monetary assets saved in top-notch advanced learning content and the steady variation and improvement of their e-learning programs.
Linking To The Learning Preferences Of Employees
Digital learning meets the learning expectations of younger generations. In her personal life, she also acquires data from the Web. Computerized knowledge expands on this inclination for getting data. Notwithstanding, numerous more seasoned workers are profoundly open to mechanically preparing unique open doors. Along these lines, e-learning in-organization preparing increments manager appeal.
This Is How E-Learning Works: E-Learning Forms
E-learning is not just e-learning: the variety of didactics, tools and online courses is immense. This allows companies to find the best e-learning solution for themselves and their employees. We will introduce you to the most critical forms of digital learning.
Computer-Based Learning
Computer-Based Learning (CBT) is based on learning software supplied on CDs or DVDs. The learners can use the programs flexibly in terms of location, time and Internet. CBT is chiefly utilized in locales with no steady web association or where there are legitimate hindrances. This variation of e-realizing, which depends on self-concentration by students, has been around since the 1980s. There is no private contact with educators here. If such preparation is to be joined by direct correspondence, it will require a place in an investment postponed structure.
Web Based Learning
The successor concept to computer-based learning is web-based training. The learning content is located on an Internet server or can be accessed from the company’s intranet. Web-based training includes direct communication between teachers and course participants in real-time. Chats, forums, conference calls, emails and news feeds serve as communication media. Electronic preparation is often completed in advanced learning stages and with the assistance of learning the board frameworks. The frameworks ordinarily support a few correspondence stages. Electronic practice on the mobile Web empowers advancing free of area and time.
Virtual Classrooms
Virtual classrooms are a particular form of web-based training. As in a real classroom, learners and teachers come together in a virtual space. In a video conference, the course participants communicate synchronously. You can use the chat and audio function, videos, or an interactive whiteboard. Documents and presentations can also be shared. This e-learning option allows digital collaboration and direct exchange between all participants.
Blended Learning
With blended learning, self-study on digital devices alternates with face-to-face units that serve to deepen and practically test the new knowledge. These two forms of learning build on each other and support each other. In face-to-face lessons, the learners have the opportunity for direct exchange in the group and can receive personal feedback. During their self-study, they can repeat and deepen the learning content at their own pace.
Mobile Learning
In the meantime, e-learning is increasingly shifting to the mobile Internet: mobile learning describes the method of accessing digital learning content via mobile devices: a short learning unit or a knowledge test is completed on mobile devices. So-called idle times are used for location- and time-independent online learning. The concept of mobile learning is interesting for companies since it also enables employees to be addressed who would otherwise hardly be able to take advantage of further training opportunities, such as production assistants or field staff.
Digital Educational Games
Digital learning games are turning out to be progressively significant in e-learning. They open up individual room for maneuvering for the learners and, in this way, offer further development of personal skills. The Internet makes it possible to provide such educational games for many participants. They are called MMOG (Massively Multiplayer Online Games) in English. This form of learning offers the opportunity to learn new content in a relaxed and informal setting.
The language learning platform Babbel is a best practice example of a modern digital concept. The portal supports digital learning on the computer and with a mobile app. Babbel is aimed at an international user community. Therefore, the learning content is perfectly tailored to the needs of learners in different countries by experts in digital didactics and the respective languages. The users select their learning content themselves. In terms of time, the lessons can also be integrated into a stressful everyday life: on average, a quarter of an hour of learning time is provided for each learning unit.
Learning Apps
Much digital learning content is now also available as a mobile app. These applications also support so-called micro-learning (“micro-learning”). A short learning unit or knowledge test is completed on mobile devices, which often only takes a few minutes. Learning apps can be used for a wide range of topics. For example, the Babbel app allows learning foreign languages flexibly and efficiently. Learning apps have established a new trend in e-learning in recent years, which many companies are also taking advantage of because knowledge can be imparted playfully. Suppose the participants compete with each other in a quiz or digital competition. In that case, this not only contributes to the transfer of knowledge but is also fun and strengthens the motivation to learn and the sense of togetherness.
Webinars
Webinars are interactive online seminars that take place over the Internet. The transfer of knowledge, as well as the exchange between the participants, takes place in real-time. Although the time for the event has been fixed, the participants are not tied to a specific location, the only requirement being internet access. Both learners and teachers have access to a virtual room via web conferencing software (e.g. Google Meet, Teams or Zoom). In this, they can also communicate and exchange data. The difference between a virtual classroom and a webinar is that up to 500 participants can take part in a webinar simultaneously. In a virtual classroom, the number of participants is more limited to enable more effective work.
Tutorial Videos
Videos have long been an essential digital learning medium. They are offered on the Internet on numerous topics and issues – often also free of charge on video platforms such as YouTube. But companies also produce videos for the further training of their employees. Learning videos can convey instructions, information or in-depth background knowledge. The advantage of learning videos is that they are produced once and can be used by any number of employees. However, they reach their limits when questions about the content or when knowledge transfer is controlled and interactive.
Podcast
Podcasts are audio or video contributions that appear regularly on a specific topic. The learners can listen to them several times depending on the location, time, and if necessary. Podcasts can only be used internally and reach a broader audience on public platforms. In this way, podcasts can also be integrated into the company branding.
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