The e-learning boom was well underway before the pandemic, but two years of limited access to in-person learning only served to kick the industry into high gear. Plus, companies everywhere have caught on to the benefits, like increased learning retention rates and company revenue. As a result, corporate e-learning is projected to grow by over 250% from 2017 to 2026.
So, corporations are on board, but has your association made the shift to e-learning options? If you haven’t, read on to learn more about the benefits of creating and implementing an e-learning program for your members and teammates.
The Benefits of E-Learning
The extensive benefits of e-learning might surprise you if you’re used to traditional classroom learning. Some of these include:
- Students learn at their own pace and on their own schedules: With the independence to learn via desktop or mobile anywhere in the world, learners choose how and where to access course content — they’re free to learn in a way that works for them.
- Increased learning retention rates: E-learning tends to be more interactive, providing information in digestible, bite-sized chunks. This new form of engagement has been shown to boost retention rates by 25 - 60%.
- Easy to scale: E-learning materials are oftentimes a one-time investment for your organization. As you welcome new members, it’s easy to add them to existing e-learning programs.
- Cost-effective: Without the overhead of traditional classroom learning, e-learning proves to be a more cost-effective training solution. There’s the potential to save on instructors, printed materials, commuting costs and more.
- Personalizable: Not only are learners free to revisit course material, but administrators can design custom training pathways, monitor student progress through analytics and use gamification tools to motivate learners.
Creating an E-Learning Program
Customization is the name of the game when it comes to creating an e-learning program that works for you. But how do you decide how to structure a course? Asking your members for input via surveys is a solid starting point. After all, once you understand what they want in a course, you’re more likely to deliver effective training solutions. If you operate within an industry like the medical field, you may even need to meet certain regulatory and continuing education requirements with your programs.
From there, you can begin designing content around your designated learning objectives and individual learner goals. Perhaps video content and quizzes are your jam, or maybe podcasts and short responses help your learners retain course content best. Whichever strategy you choose, remember to leave room for student input, instructor guidance and customized learning pathways. Creating an e-learning program comes with its challenges, but the key is to ensure your content is personalized and engaging for learners.
Implementing E-Learning
E-learning course creation and customization are only half the battle. The most important part of e-learning is implementation. Have procedures in place to document training progress and satisfaction, administer lessons and choose the optimal training platform. It’ll all play a role in the success of your program. You should also take steps that motivate your members to participate. Try spreading the word through email campaigns, incentives offerings and social media channels.
Making the Most of Group Learning
Learning doesn’t have to be an isolating activity. E-learning tools make it easy to collaborate with others and get feedback from instructors. As part of the shift to digital, group learning is being given an upgrade.
For example, opportunities like Sidecar Teams allow your team members to grow together, cultivating leadership skills by joining our global community of association leaders and peers. Interactive quizzes, a comprehensive learning library and team leader insights help learners get where they want to be.
Capitalizing on E-Learning Opportunities
No matter what your association’s needs are, e-learning opportunities can help your association's leadership and members get the training they need to succeed in the workforce. In an increasingly globalized world, these programs offer unrivaled course customization and flexibility. E-learning translates to more effective and accessible learning for all, so why not take advantage of it?
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