Employees are a vital part of any company, no matter the size or two. Training and forming healthy connections with employees is crucial to their long-term growth and retention.
One of the most effective ways to enhance employee efficiency and loyalty is by providing them corporate training. E-Learning is becoming increasingly popular for this purpose as it is cost-effective, customizable, and compatible with the work from home culture.
Types of eLearning Methods for Corporate Training
Here are some of the main eLearning methods that your organization can use for corporate training:
Web E-Learning
This type focuses on training employees via website content. It allows workers to access the website either from their smartphones or the company’s internet connection.
Learning via website content gives employees the freedom to learn according to their own schedule. Moreover, this way of learning is not restricted to a particular space, which enables employees to check out the information wherever they are.
Web eLearning saves commuting time as employees do not need to visit their workplace or training center to attend the training sessions. Moreover, web browsers are usually compatible with audio, video, and animation, making them a user-friendly way to deliver information.
Virtual Classrooms and Webinars
Virtual classrooms are a contemporary form of trainer-led corporate training sessions. Just like physical classrooms, the instructors and attendees are able to interact with each other through a video software.
Virtual classrooms encourage employee engagement and collaboration to foster personal connections. The presence of an instructor helps promote back and forth questioning, resulting in a live learning experience.
A webinar is a workshop or training session that is conducted over the web via a video conferencing software. It is essentially a combination of the words ‘web’ and ‘seminar’. Webinars help presenters communicate with a large group of people. To make your eLearning sessions more interactive, you can inculcate polls, surveys, and chats into them.
Video Modules
Video modules are informative videos that are pre-prepared for the employees. They can either be animated or feature a human instructor. Moreover, they can consist of interviews, case studies, or screencast recordings.
A major advantage of video modules is that they can be accessed at any time and from any location. They allow employees to learn at their own pace and watch the videos as many times as they please. Videos containing more graphics as compared to text are better at retaining the attention of employees.
One-On-One Online Learning
This mode of learning is best for employees who need to be educated regarding a particular topic or subject at a suitable time. With one-on-one learning, a customizable plan can be formed as per learning requirements.
The interaction between the student and instructor in a one-on-one learning program is high-quality and personalized. The employee is less likely to be distracted as there is constant communication with the instructor.
With one-on-one learning, the relationship between an employee and an experienced professional, such as a supervisor, coach, or veteran employee, is enriched. This eLearning style can make an employee feel comfortable asking questions that they may be hesitant to ask in a classroom.
Social Media Training
In this day and age, being active on social media is vital for organizations. There are several benefits of corporate training through social media when it comes to eLearning.
Platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, can help you deliver information in a comprehensive manner and enable teamwork and collaboration. With the rise in the popularity of mobile devices, social media is now widely accessible. Some Learning Management Systems like Axis LMS include Social Learning built into the LMS.
Social media training can bring together employees in different geographical regions. Learners can also be provided with various games, contests, and challenges to boost their interest.
You can hold assessments at the end of each session to analyze how much your employees have learned. This can foster a healthy and competitive environment where employees can be motivated to give their best performance.
Microlearning
This involves eLearning through information nuggets. Each session does not last more than 10 minutes and comprehensively tackles one aspect at a time.
As each module concerns a single topic, employees are able to retain information more efficiently. Microlearning is a great way to make your corporate training more efficient as it is a method that can combat the forgetfulness curve.
Microlearning also helps the supervisors or trainers build a strong connection with employees. The attention span of humans is about 8 minutes. Microlearning takes this into account through short and relevant modules.
Microlearning is often referred to as ‘bite-sized’ education as it divides corporate training into ‘digestible’ sessions. Some of the popular techniques for this training method include:
- Lesson-based podcasts
- Multimedia presentations
- Simulations
- Instructional videos
- Online quizzes and assessments
- Educational blog posts
Simulation Training
Many companies across the globe are opting for simulation training for their employees. When it comes to eLearning, simulation training involves creating a digital environment that mimics the workspace.
It offers a realistic experience, as opposed to regular training programs, which can lose the interest of employees. With simulation training, employees are able to make decisions just like they would on a regular office day. Therefore, it provides a more immersive experience and helps learners retain information more efficiently.
Simulation training also allows you to gauge employee needs more efficiently. As an employer, you can receive quick feedback that would help you improve your corporate training program in the future.
Orientation
This is one of the most popular and important types of corporate training. As the pandemic prevails, employees are increasingly working from home. Sessions such as orientation, which were previously attended by employees in person, are now largely conducted online.
Although orientation is a one-time event, it is essential for introducing employees to the work environment. Commonly discussed topics are orientation include:
- Organization mission, values, and vision
- Workplace culture
- Organizational structure and team introduction
- Relevant paperwork
- Briefing regarding benefit plans
- Administrative information (computer logins, email setups, extensions, etc)
- Important corporate policies.
Brief History of E-Learning
The term ‘eLearning’ was first used in 1999 at a CBT systems seminar. However, the principles of eLearning were put into practice as far back as the 19th century. Even before the advent of the internet, distance courses regarding specific subjects were being offered to students.
In the 1840s, Isaac Pitman taught his students shorthand via correspondence. This kind of symbolic writing was invented to increase speed and started being widely used by journalists, secretaries, and other professionals who did a large amount of note-taking. Pitman, the instructor, was sent finished assignments via mail and sent the students more work in return.
The first testing machine was created in 1924, which enabled students to test themselves. Professor Sidney Pressey of Ohio University invented a testing machine known as the “Automatic Teacher”. It appeared like a typewriter and was used to answer multiple-choice questions.
Students were supposed to pick the right answer among the four choices given. The machine would only proceed to the following question when the correct answer was selected. This way, the students were able to figure out whether their answers were right.
Later in 1954, a Harvard professor named BF Skinner designed the “testing machine” called GLIDER, which allowed schools to conduct programmed instruction to the students.
The machine looked like a box with a series of questions. A small window displayed each question, and could be answered using a particular technique or by jotting down the answer on paper. Students who had chosen the correct answer could proceed to the next step.
The first ever computer-based training program was invented in 1960, called the PLATO-Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations. Although it was originally created for students of the University of Illinois, but soon began to be used by schools all over the area.
In the beginning, online systems was only designed to deliver information to learners. By 1970, eLearning became more interactive. With rapid advancements in information technology in the late 20th century, eLearning tools and media multiplied.
The first MAC in the 1980s allowed people to own computers, enabling them to learn about various subjects from the comfort of their homes. Later during the early 1990s, schools were established which exclusively delivered information online. This way, the internet brought education to many people who faced geographical or time constraints.
In the 2000s, businesses started using eLearning for corporate training purposes. Both new and experienced workers got a chance to build and improve their knowledge regarding the industry and boost their skill sets. With access to training programs from home, workers can easily stay updated while saving commuting time.
Best Corporate Course Topics for E-Learning
Staff training and development is crucial for the success of your company. Previously, textbooks and instructor-led trainings were the norm. However, e-learning for corporate training has gained rapid popularity with advancements technology. Here are some of the most important topics that can enhance your organization’s productivity:
Leadership
Employees look up to their leaders and analyze all their moves. If the leadership is inefficient or corrupt, the entire organization can crumble. Some people are born leaders, while others are made. This is why a leadership management course is vital.
E-Learning for corporate training based on leadership can boost the creativity of leaders in mapping out a company’s path to success. It reinforces a sense of responsibility where the managers are trained to meet company expectations and encourage their subordinates to do the same.
E-Learning is important for equipping managers and leaders with the right skillsets needed to guide employees regarding technical, mental, social, and behavioral aspects.
Communication
Effective communication is vital for linking the employees or various branches of an organization. Designing a course about communication can help get rid of the hesitations between the leadership and employees, resulting in a more successful company.
Communication fosters teamwork as well as good relationships. With healthy communication, employees tend to feel more empowered. This eventually results in your company realizing its mission, vision, objectives, and goals.
Open communication also helps get rid of misunderstandings. When there is excessive gossip amongst employees, a company’s productivity is negatively affected. A corporate environment with open communication can lessen misunderstandings.
Communication is also vital for boosting the morale of workers. When a leader has the required communication skills within the workplace, they automatically gain employee trust.
Time Management
Time management skills are an important aspect of eLearning for corporate training. You can design time-bound tasks to program the mind of employees to accomplish a task within a specific time window.
When taught to manage time effectively, employees would procrastinate less. Time management is also a good way to reduce stress. When work piles up, anxiety builds up, which can lead to health issues such as hypertension.
When employees would be trained to manage time well, it will result in a stress-free environment where they can be more productive. They would learn to form a concrete plan to accomplish their tasks and end up producing better results.
Workplace Habits
Good workplace habits are an important aspect when it comes to eLearning for corporate training. Positive work practices can substantially enhance an organization’s productivity and customer service.
A comprehensive and interactive course regarding workplace habits is vital for helping new employees adapt to your company’s culture and values. In this course, you can cover work practices that make or break a company and simple steps to acquire good workplace habits.
Employees can be instructed to pay attention to detail, organize themselves well, and take initiatives. Inculcating the right workplace habits early on will efficiently fine tune your employees to maximize their productivity.
Final Thoughts
E-Learning for corporate training can be delivered using different methods, such as virtual classrooms, web eLearning, social media training, one-on-one learning, video modules, microlearning, simulation trainings and orientation sessions. Your employees need to be acclimatized to your organization’s culture, values, and goals so they can perform effectively and propel your company towards success.