E-learning is one of the most important services powered by the internet. It has the potential to transform how and when employees learn and integrates a learning culture with the work environment.
E-learning is not only about training and instruction but also about learning that is tailored to an individual. It brings together different fields such as online training, web-based training and technology driven instruction. Computers, tablets and smartphones facilitate and enhance the approach towards e-learning.
Today’s workplace is defined by a new employer-employee relationship. The employer provides the tools such as e-learning whereas employees have to manage and develop their skills and employability and ultimately are responsible for maintaining the value they add to the company.
E-learning can motivate employees to invest more time and energy in workplace learning. The key is that the alternative and flexible learning environments allowed by technology can reduce the obstacles and practical difficulties of scheduling learning activities around work schedules. The result is a more personal commitment and control over learning.
Research suggests that there is no significant difference in educational outcome between e-learning and traditional learning. This means that goals can be achieved irrespective of the training methodology. However, e-learning offers significant economic and social advantages over the traditional classroom approach. Skillsoft notes how organisations with strong learning cultures outperform their peers with 46 per cent more likely to be first to market, 37 per cent have greater employee productivity, and 58 per cent are more prepared to meet future demands.
These e-learning benefits include anytime, anywhere, any place learning, time reduction in acquiring new skills because of the nature of e-learning with its visual, feedback mechanism and time taken to learn. E-learning is also an investment that increases its payback during its lifetime.
Other benefits include the flexible access e-learning offers, accommodating individual styles of working and learning. Moreover, interactive lessons provide a good base for skill building because computer feedback is immediate and media elements such as video, role play or virtual classrooms involves learners more quickly and motivates them to continue.
One crucial benefit of e-learning is that it allows the employer instant and easy monitoring of the learners’ progress, particularly when monitoring critical areas such as induction training and occupational health and safety training. E-learning is also good for employees who want to promote a work-life balance, including working mothers or parents who might not be able to attend the weekday 5pm course due to work and family constraints. This makes e-learning the natural choice thanks to the flexibility it offers.
Skillsoft’s subscription model allows learners one year to complete courses where one can bookmark and also go back to previous lessons. Users benefit from the fact that business-to-business subscriptions are available in twos whereas the classic classroom approach needs higher numbers of students to make it feasible.
Information Systems Limited is the authorised partner for Skillsoft to supply e-learning content and learning management technology. Skillsoft is a long established provider of word-class content resources and complementary technologies for integrated enterprise learning.
The award-winning platform offers online access to engaging and interactive courses, role play, videos, simulations, online mentoring, test preparation services and books 24x7. The e-learning solution offers flexibility by providing easy and constant online access with no logistical or roll out issues. The platform can easily handle hundreds of simultaneous users. For more information visit www.isl.com.mt/products/skillsoft.