Remember the early 1990s, when on-the-job training meant sitting in a dark conference room watching a video of someone lecturing about techniques that were already outdated? Both employees and employers were frustrated and left undereducated, which decreased efficiency and, most likely, the financial bottom-line.
Luckily, those dark days are over—now, and eLearning (online training for businesses) has stepped up and kicked videotape learning to the curb. eLearning reduces the time and expense of training and thanks to its incredible flexibility and diversity, is much more relevant to the tasks at hand. Naturally, this is more in line with the business goals of a company—and eLearning and online training for businesses is literally already at your fingertips, through the use of the mighty Internet. Online colleges and other online schools are now offering continuing eduction courses online to businesses and their staff.
How Does eLearning Work?
eLearning is like any other online education opportunity; it allows you to learn anywhere and often at any time, as long as you have a properly configured computer. eLearning can be CD-ROM-based, Network-based, Intranet-based or Internet-based. It can include text, video, audio, animation and virtual environments. It can be a very rich learning experience that often surpasses the training in a crowded classroom. It is self-paced, hands-on learning. The beauty of eLearning is that new software allows the creation of very effective learning environments that can engulf you in the material.
eLearning is both relevant and interactive, so that people are successful and want to continue learning. eLearning is designed to keep individuals and employees interested in a training and educational program by being convenient, relevant, immediate, and fun.
Advantages of eLearning
• eLearning is convenient. There is no travel involved and no room or auditorium necessary. You can learn at your desk in the office, or using a laptop on the couch at home. eLearning is accessible, interactive, and cost cutting all at once. Best of all, you can focus on the work and not have to sit next to that loud guy from accounting while you learn.
• eLearning has been proven to be effective. In the last ten years, eLearning has evolved into the most effective and successful on-the-job training available. Employees can refresh their knowledge at any time, work at their own pace, and hone their skills easily and quickly. Employees that need to take their time with new material have the freedom to do so, while fast learners can get back to work more quickly.
• eLearning is simple and easy to use. You only need the CD-Rom, or an Internet browser, or a login to your company intranet to access your eLearning training sessions. Most offices have all the equipment necessary—no renting of noisy projectors no one can figure out how to use.
• eLearning is self-directed and interactive. Instead of a droning instructor, or a badly designed PowerPoint presentation, eLearning provides an interactive learning environment that allows students to work at his or her own pace.
• eLearning is cost-effective. Because eLearning courses and training sessions can be targeted with laser-like precision, less time and energy is spent learning something you don’t need, or re-learning something you already know. Additionally, eliminating travel expenses saves a bundle.
eLearning is Not Just For Job Training
If you work in a field that requires Continuing Education credits to maintain your certification, fear not—eLearning presents the perfect solution. No longer are you required to give up dinner with the family once or twice a week and drive across town to a local college to get those CE credits. Now you can do it after the kids have gone to bed in the comfort of your own home just by logging on to the Internet.
Or, maybe you’ve decided you need to take the next step to propel your career forward and you need to either finish that college degree or take your education to the next level by earning a graduate degree. Whatever your education goals are, eLearning is available to you. You can earn any degree from an Associates to a PhD online—on your schedule and even while wearing your pajamas.
eLearning has changed the face of education, both in the office and beyond. Take some time to explore your eLearning options and take your company or your career in the right direction today!
